Malcolm X Shabazz Track & Field Is Having A Banner Winter Season In Newark

NEWARK, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the Newark Public School District. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

The Malcolm X Shabazz High School Boys Track & Field team is experiencing a banner winter season, securing multiple major championships, national rankings, and a return trip to one of the most prestigious indoor meets in the world — the Millrose Games at The Armory in New York City.

Under the leadership of Head Coach Hassan Wilson, the Bulldogs have surged to the top of New Jersey’s indoor track conversation with a dominant showing across multiple events and levels of competition.

This winter, Shabazz earned:

• Super Essex Conference Championship (Boys)
• Essex County Relay Championship (Boys)
• Qualification for the 2025 Millrose Games — where Shabazz is the defending national champion in the 4x400 meter relay.
• Runner-up finish at the Essex County Individual Championships
• National Top-5 ranking in the Shuttle Hurdle Relays for both the boys and girls teams

“These championships and national rankings reflect the extraordinary work ethic of our student-athletes, the commitment of their families and school staff, and the leadership of Coach Wilson and his staff,” said Superintendent León. “As they return to the Millrose Games and prepare for Nationals, they carry forward Newark’s long legacy of excellence and remind us that our students can and will compete, and win, at the highest levels.”

“The Bulldogs are making Newark proud. What the Shabazz student-athletes have accomplished this season is nothing short of remarkable,” said Board of Education President Hasani K. Council. “This is the result of dedication, teamwork, and a school community that believes in its young people. On behalf of the Board of Education, we congratulate every athlete and coach and look forward to cheering them on at Millrose and Nationals.”

Coach Wilson attributes his team’s success to focusing on sustainability and succession as team priorities.

“You have to look for the depth in those runners who are coming up,” Wilson said. “Everybody took responsibility for doing a little bit more, and they were open to learning a new skill set and working hard to improve on a previous skill set.”

The Bulldogs’ surge has been powered by veteran leadership and rising stars. Senior David Edokpolor, Essex County 800-meter champion who also competes in the 1600-meter and 4x400-meter relay. Sophomore Anderson Quarless has become a key contributor in the 400-meter and relays, adeptly filling the shoes of 2025 graduate and Michael Odins, who now runs for St. Peter’s University. Meanwhile, junior Andre Bovell is ranked as one of the of the county’s top hurdlers and a major point-scorer across multiple meets. All three athletes won their respective events at the Super Essex Conference Championship.

The Bulldog girls are producing their own remarkable achievements. The Girls Shuttle Hurdle Relay team currently ranks Top 5 in the nation, led by senior captain Khamiyyah Martin. Martin is the high school’s record-holder in the 400m and 55m hurdles; transitioned from a 400m runner to one of the state’s premier hurdlers. She has strong support from two talented juniors, Kyla Williams-Boone and Azia Pamphile, as well as freshman sensation London Oliver.

After clearing the qualification hurdles, Shabazz will compete at the Millrose Games on February 1, where the Bulldogs are the defending champions in the x400-meter relay. The team will then prepare for the New Balance Nationals Indoor Championships in mid-March.

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