The FHS girls’ track and field team placed second out of 32 teams, scoring 55 points, at the VHSL Class 4 state track meet on March 2-3 at Liberty University, with the boys’ placing 19th out of 37 teams, scoring 9.5 points. This win earned the girls the title of VHSL 4A Indoor Track and Field State Runner-Up Champions this winter season. 

In the individual events, junior Stephanie Robson placed second in the state in the girls’ triple jump (37-7), and sophomore Alyssa Robson placed fifth (36-9). Alyssa also placed third in the girls’ 55-meter hurdle finals (8.62). Additionally, sophomore Aubrey Fernandez placed fifth in the girls’ 500-meter dash (1:19.28). 

In the relays, Alyssa Robson, senior Cammi Winston, junior Cammy Bland and junior Sydney Trussel placed third in the girls’ 4×200 meter relay (1:47.21). In the girls’ 4×400 meter relay, Aubrey Fernandez, Cammy Bland, Senior Ryan McDaniel-Neff and Sydney Trussell placed third (4:05.28). In the boys’ 4×400, junior Austin Fernandez, junior Darrien Mascall, senior John Paccassi and senior Josh Moylan placed seventh (3:31.23).

“I think I performed really well at states along with the other girls in the relays,” said Aubrey Fernandez. “Our girls’ team was really strong this year.” 

She added that the season as a whole went well too. “The best part of the season was definitely competing with some of my closest friends,” Aubrey Fernandez said.  

Junior Jackson Schreher, who competed in pole vaulting at states, agreed that this winter season was successful with “not too many physical injuries…but there were some illnesses that many people, including myself, worked through.” 

Despite facing injuries this season, Schreher remained strong. “I performed better than I thought I would by putting another foot onto my personal record.” With this in mind as a spring goal, Schreher also plans “to help others reach their full potential.” 

Head coach Quentin Jones said that this winter track season was successful. “You kind of have that little community in winter track. It’s cold, it’s not always nice conditions, and yet, we had people moving and grooving out there,” said Jones. 

He added that students’ performance at states exceeded expectations. “The coach that won from Loudoun Valley who won states on both sides looked at us and said, ‘You all outperformed your performance list.’ That’s always a nice feeling there,” said Jones.

Jones said his goal for this spring season is always focused on improving and growing stronger. “I’d like to keep a team community, keep people focused, keep people committed to the program and do the little things right. If we do those things, then the big picture will happen,” said Jones. “I want to take it day by day and keep gradually building.”