What do you get Bill Gates for Christmas?
That’s essentially the dilemma that seems to face Long Beach Poly fans, who year after year boast the highest expectations in the country. After decades of C.I.F., State and even National titles, it’s almost impossible to get the Jackrabbit faithful to claim a season successful. At this point, the football team of 17 and 18-year olds would need to win the Super Bowl for fans to raise an eyebrow.
Well, after a remarkable State championship victory for both squads, the Poly boys and girls track teams found themselves in the Super Bowl of their sport last weekend: the Nike Track Nationals in Eugene, Oregon.
While both teams were crowned champs of their home state, the girls program clearly stood a better chance against the best in America and proved it by finishing an impressive second overall. The speediest Jackrabbits of all claimed 7,881.48 points in ten events, just shy of the champion Chandler squad that earned 8,096.71 points for the crown.
“The boys went out and broke the National record last week, so it kind of got us pumped up to come out here and rep for Long Beach,” said freshman Arianna Washington in this video, as she sounded way more composed than a young teenager in that position should.
Washington finished third overall in the 100 meters with a time of 12.05 in the finals. In the 400, record-breaking senior Akawkaw Ndipagbor continued her stylish exit by winning the overall title by more than one full second over her competition with a 54.40. The craziest part? That time is MORE THAN ONE SECOND SLOWER than her personal record.
Melia Cox won the 100 meter hurdles with a 13.71, Rebekah Oragwu finished fourth in the 800 meters with a blazing 2:17.30 and Dynasty Gammage finished sixth in the mile with a 5:10.40.
A Jackrabbit finished in the top ten of every final event except for the pole vault. Ahsiu Filoi finished eighth in the shot put, Alexis Tuliau placed fifth in the discus, Alexus Dalton claimed second in the high jump and Traci Hicks rounded it out with a fourth in the long jump.
The event seemed to be tailor-made for the Jackrabbits, even if they came up just short of the overall team gold. For the speedsters from Long Beach to continue their amazing run of three consecutive State titles with a second place finish in Nationals, in the stadium where Oregon track coach Bill Bowerman inspired a runner named Phil Knight to found Nike, it couldn’t have been more fitting. In her video interview above, Ndipagbor couldn’t have been more right to point out the fact that the event celebrated not only the sport of track, but the track team and not just individual greatness.
MORE VIDEOS
Akawkaw Ndipagbor is all smiles after a first place finish in the 400 meters. [Click here.]
Melia Cox accepts her gold medal for her performance in the 100 meter hurdles. [Click here.]