RECAP: East Coast International Showcase

The East Coast International Showcase

Photo by Gillian Stephens -


What was hotter, the weather or the track? It was the perfect day compared to Penn Relays. Let's thank the international competitors for staying an extra week and giving us the show we asked for.

Videos | Photo |Results

Sprints

The boys delivered in all ways possible. Everyone anticipated the 100m line-up. Nyckoles Harbor and Brody Buffington in the blocks, side by side. The crowd went silent. Out the blocks Buffington had the lead, the crowd started to stand. With a late surge, Harbor comes back with a close dip for the win in 10.28 with a 0.01 difference for second by Buffington 10.29.

(Watch the Boys 100m Final)

Issam Asinga had the crowd rushing with emotion after pulling out for the 100m but did not disappoint in the 200m! The skies were blue, the sun was shining, the wind was just perfect. The gun shoots, running the turn it looks as if they're running into the sun. Issam shoots like a bullet and doesn't look back! He seals the deal with a 20.81.

Quincy Wilson does what he does every time. 46.11 looked too easy to be true. He got the crowd out of their seats for a victory celebration!


(Photo: Patrick McKinney)

The ladies also had something to say. Alana Reid is not one to be slept on. Adaejah Hodge was in contention before the gun, after the gun it was a clear winner. Reid for a crazy 11.01 and Hodge's 11.16. It was Madison Whyte day and you couldn't tell her different. Many placed bets on the 400 but don't bet against Whyte. She wasn't giving up easily and out leaned Rickiann Russell for a 52.49. Russell finished with 52.54. Madison wasn't done yet. The 200 was beautiful with a Neck and neck race with Elise Cooper. Whyte showed her dominance with a 22.81 US #9 All time! Cooper runs a MD state record of 22.93 as class of '25.

(Watch Madison Whyte run US #9 all time 22.81 200m dash!)

Distance

Dannielle King of Hydel won the 800m in 2:10.98 with Jodyann Mitchell right behind her with a 2:11.92. Barrain Smith won the boys 800 by 2 seconds with his 1:53.79 win! Daden Grogan, a  sophomore, comes in 2nd with his 1:55.65 finish. Evelyn Rogers did not come to play. She had an outstanding run in the 1600m running 5:03.23 winning by over 21 seconds. Jemmel Green 4:18.44 and Charlie Butler 4:18.88 had a great race in the 1600. Butler led through the first 3 laps then Green made his move. They fought to the end and Green was victorious. Rosemary Baquie 12:27.04 won by 18 seconds in the girl's 3200m and Sayid Shakur 9:55.16 won by 19 seconds in the boy's 3200m. Both athletes were untouchable in their events.


(Photo: Patrick McKinney)

Hurdles

Short hurdles were thrilling as expected. Myla Greene and Kiara Meikle lined up for the finals. The starter recalled the race. The anticipation grew. The race was neck and neck all the way to the line but Greene will not be denied. New MD state record of 13.28. Meikle ran 13.36.

The boys followed. Daniel Wright and Anthony Waterman went head to head from beginning to end. Wright took the win with a lean of 13.87 and Waterman followed in 13.91. Indira O'Neil won the girl's 300mH in 44.98 with ease. Bryce Dudley and Larry Hawkins had a close finish of 39.18 and 39.75 in the 300mH. Michelle Smith dominated the 400mH running 58.34 after her competitor Greene took a tumble but finishes with grace. Tyrece Hyman of Edwin Allen won the boys 400mH in 53.58. Anthony Waterman earned the silver in the 400mH in 54.39.

(Watch Myla Green run a new MD State Record in the 100mH)

Field

Drew Dillard was a star in the field. He won the triple jump with a mark of 47-11.50. Brendan Lee placed 2nd with 42-05.25. Dillard followed up with a high jump win of 6-08.00. Dylan Minsker jumped 6-06.00 for second. Cam Brown and Nuumele Gboe tied for 1st in a close competition of the long jump, both jumping 6.80m/ 22-03.75. Benjamin Shue took over the throws with a mark of 61.06m in the shot put. He turned around for another win in the discus throw with a mark of 196-08. Ashton McCullers won pole vault in 15-01.00. Bullis won both triple and long jump with efforts by Morgan Bridges 40-07.50m and Reagan Schwartz 18-06.00. Richelle Stanley placed 2nd in Triple 40-05.00 and Brooklyn Lyttle earned a silver in Long 18-04.00. Cailey Newman won the girl's shot put with a mark of 35.05m followed by Andrea Countiss at 35.05. U20 record holder, Cedricka Williams blew the competition away winning by 20 meters with a throw of 53.60m. Asya Alejo won the pole vault with 6-02.00.

Relays

Elizabeth Technical won the boys 4x100 40.57. South County won the girls in 46.40. Dematha boys took the 4x200 in 1:34.38. Holmwood Technical girls won in 1:41.54. Centreville won the 4x400 in 3:27.58. South County girls got another win in 3:52.37. St. Elizabeth Technical won the boys 4x800 in 8:22.45 and Oxon Hill girls won in 10:01.30.


This was the meet we all waited for. Maryland residents came for a show and that's what they received. The season is closer to ending but athletes are only getting faster. We wish all athletes around the world a phenomenal season! Expect to see them competing for their countries at U20's.

Snapshot Quotes From Your Favorite Athletes!

Myla Greene - " Just came out here to run, all glory to God, personal record God is good!"

Daniel Wright - " Having support from my country is a really great feeling. Looking forward to making the national team... you can look out for great things!"

Alana Reid - " I just came out here to run my race and I did just that... I'm homesick so coming here and having that support really gives us a push and a drive to go out there and do our best!"

Nyckoles Harbor - "Start was horrible, the finish was legendary... a win is a win. We got to go get this, we got goals, dreams, and aspirations and this is just one step to it.. breaking 10 that's it that's all I could say." 

Evelyn Rogers - " I didn't really have anyone to push me but I tried to stay in the race and push myself... I'm definitely looking forward to conference championships and after that, I'm looking forward to nationals."

Madison Whyte - "I've been running in bad weather lately, I didn't know how running in good weather would be but it turned out great."

Quincy Wilson - "I was sick all week and had nobody to practice with. I want to be able to break the national record for a freshman."

Drew Dillard - "My events went great. I matched my personal record in both my events which set me up for the rest of my season... becoming a national champion."

Morgan Bridges - "Trying to make that USA team. U20's!"

Michelle Smith - "My start could've been better and been more relaxed on the backstretch... get faster, improve my technique."

Issam Asinga - "At the end of the day I came out here and did what I needed to do. I got bigger things planned for sure and I'm ready to show out in August at the world champs. It's not going stop here."

Brody Buffington - " I tense up a lot... messed up my whole game. Goals: To break 10, low 20's in the 200 and to win states and go nationals."