Manassas Park Track Teams Seek to Defend District Titles After Weekend Victories

After the Manassas Park boys and girls track teams placed first and third respectively in the James Wood Apple Blossom Invitational  Saturday, track and field head Coach Joe McElfish is confident his teams can defend the titles they won in 2010.

During the 2010 spring season, the girls team won the state title. The boys team won the Bull Run district title and placed fourth in the B region and third in the state for Division A.

The boys team placed first in Saturday's invitational with 115 points, ahead of James Wood High School in Winchester where the invitational was held. The home team had 70 points.

The girls team placed third in the invitational with 83 points. They came in behind first-place winner Sherando High School, located in Frederick County, which had 97 points.

Manassas Park athletes placed first in five of 32 events and had athletes who placed in one or more of the top five positions in 24 events. They competed against 11 other high schools.

McElfish said he was impressed that 12 individual runners and two relay teams for the boys qualified for state times in their events.

“When you have seniors that have a goal, that’s impressive,” McElfish said after Monday’s practice. “They’re working real hard.”

One of those seniors is 18-year-old Bobby Jackson, who placed third in the shot put competition by putting the ball 48.8 feet.

“I was actually in third until the last round,” Jackson said. “But it’s OK, I just wanted to beat the state time of 47.7.”

Tyree Durr, an 18-year-old senior who placed first in the long jump, high jump and 4-man 400-meter relay, said he thought the key to victory was teamwork.

“Everyone’s been pushing themselves and working really hard,” Durr said. “It’s more of a team thing (than individual).”

McElfish said the girls team had a more uphill battle in defending their state championship.

The team was missing three starters at the invitational.

“When you have Saturday meets, sometimes athletes have other things,” McElfish said. “Had they been there, who knows?”

The girls’ team has had six runners and one relay team qualify for the state championship.

Sharese Roberts, an 18-year-old senior, placed second in the 200-meter and 400-meter dashes and third in the 100-meter dash.

“I should’ve placed in the first in the 100 meter but I got off to a bad start,” Roberts said.

Roberts said she felt good with her standings despite the bad finish.

With district competitions a little more than a week away on May 18 and regional and state competitions soon after, McElfish said his main concern is injuries. 

“When you’re doing repeats (exercises) like today, you’re always scared someone might get hurt,” McElfish said.

The team practiced for about two and a half hours Monday in preparation for its next meet against Strasburg High School Tuesday. Manassas Park will host Division A’s District B competitions on May 18.