HAGERSTOWN CC TRACK & FIELD TAKES REGION 20 CROWN
The stage was set for Hagerstown CC as they attended the Mid-Atlantic JUCO Invitational/Region 20 Track & Field Championships at Howard CC last Friday and Saturday, April 11th/12th. All the Region 20 track teams came together to compete for the prized possession of bragging rights for the next year and boy, did Hagerstown put on a show. In suboptimal weather conditions, the Hawks proved victorious for the 2nd time in the last 3 seasons, being named Region 20 NJCAA Men's and Women's Champions. It took a full team effort to accomplish that feat and even included several athletes stepping outside their comfort zones and competing in events they have not yet mastered.
Leading the way was freshman phenom, Michaela Gross, who scored a perfect 40 points for HCC. She competed in the max amount of 4 events (10,000, 1500, 800, and 400) and placed first in each of them. Freshman sprinter, Jessica Franklin, added 38 points herself as she also competed in 4 events (100, 200, 400, and long jump) and had 2nd, 3rd, 5th place finishes.
On the men's side, freshman thrower, Charlie Burgos, exploded with a 30-point effort in the Javelin, discus, and shotput, along with a 1st place finish in the hammer throw. Michael Schumacher added another 30 points and proved to be the workhorse of the squad as he competed in 3 grueling distance contests (10,000, 3000 Steeplechase, and 5000).
Sophomores, Jake Scallion and Tanyon Shaull each contributed 28 points for the Hawks. Scallion won the 800 by .77 seconds with a time 2:00.12 and Shaull had 3 top 3 finishes in the throwing events.
Lastly, freshman sprinter, Austin McCoy, finished 1st in a loaded 400 with a time of 49.24 and finished second in an equally stacked 200 at 22 seconds flat to seal the win for Hagerstown.
It was a spectacular performance by the Hawks, but individual accolades and national bids remain unachieved for numerous HCC athletes. They will use those opportunities as motivation as they turn their attention towards the remainder of the outdoor season, which begins this Thursday (April 17th) at the Hopkins Loyola Invitational at Johns Hopkins University. The start time is slated for 9am sharp. GO HAWKS!!
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