Women's Indoor Track team wins program's first state championship

The Chapel Hill High School women’s Indoor Track team made history by winning its first ever State Championship on February 12.

The team, made up of 14 members who had trained since mid-December, beat the next closest team by a margin of two points.

Victory did not come as a surprise to a team that knew it had worked its hardest. “Honestly, winning states did not even cross my mind until we were at the meet,” senior Erica Johnson said. “The combination of hard work on behalf of everyone, as well as the sheer talent of the individual runners really set the team up to win states.”

All but four of the girls began training directly after winning the Cross Country State Championship.

“It is colder and, a lot of the time, muddier. It’s always a little scary going from one season to the next because you never know how you will feel,” sophomore Katherine Dokholyan said.

Prior to the meet itself, the girls were projected to place second behind Marvin Ridge High School. Throughout the championship, the team fought for every point, knowing that the final score would be close.

Dokholyan placed second in the 1,600 meter and third in the 3,200 meter race, while senior Marija Crook finished third in the 1,600 and fourth in the 3,200. Sophomore Grace Tate came in fifth in the 3,200 meter race and was one second away from placing fourth.

The team of senior Milly Ames, sophomores Madi Marvin and Anna Stouffer and freshman Madeline Mount-Cors raced their way to a bronze medal in the 3,200 meter relay.

“There was a point in the [relay] that I was worried where I was going to lose states for the team, because I wasn’t running well. But I was inspired by [Tate’s] determination,” Crook said.

A strong showing by Marvin Ridge at times placed Chapel Hill’s victory in jeopardy.

By the final event of the championship, the 4x400 meter relay, was set to begin, the women were tied with Marvin Ridge. Their performance in the relay would decide the meet.

“The highlight of the meet was definitely the 4x400 meter relay,” senior Anna Passannante said. “It was the most adrenaline-filled race I have ever run.”

Earlier in the meet, Passannante came within a few tenths of a second of the state record in the 1,000 meters. She finished as the 3A state champion in the race.

The four runners held off their competitors and won the race, bringing Chapel Hill to a score of 62 and the school’s first indoor track state championship.

The indoor track teams were revived only three years ago by eight runners and head coach Joan Nesbit Mabe.

“Indoor track has grown a huge amount,” sophomore Clare McNamara said. “I think Coach [Mabe] and all off the athlete's’ commitment have allowed it to grow to the level where we are able to win a state title.”

A track state championship was last won by a men’s or women’s team from Chapel Hill in 1922. Much has changed since then, but not Chapel Hill High School’s tradition of excellence.

“Chapel Hill will continue to have excellent showings at the Indoor state meet due to talent and momentum,” Mabe said. “But a state title is a once in a century occurrence that I was proud to be a part of.”

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