The history of the Woodlawn Warrior Invitational dictates that some of the best athletes on the east coast come together in the hopes of producing some noteworthy performances. Meet Director Mark Pryor tries hard to invite teams with athletes whose performances last year outdoors and during the recent indoor season makes other talented athletes & teams want to participate in the meet.
This year\'s meet attracted the best teams from the District of Columbia and a local MD team whose women have produced some of the nation\'s best performances. Coach Hamilton and his Lady Lions of Largo HS came back to the Woodlawn Warrior Invitational after a 2 year absence. Largo Girl\'s won the 4x1 & 4x4 relays as well as placing 1-2 in the 400m, High Jump and Triple Jump events with a 2nd place in the shot put and 4x800m relay.
5 Meet Records were broken this year as the records continue to prove that quality athletes continue to come to Woodlawn and that the meet enables all of the athletes the chance to prove themselves against tough competition and tradition.
Not to be out done by their PG County neighbors, Riverdale Baptist HS girls ran very well winning the 100m, 200m and finishing a close 2nd to Largo in the 4x100 & 4x200m relays. Frosh Krystin Lawson won the 200m dash (:25.65) and the 100m dash in a new meet record of :12.08 as well as anchoring the 4x1 and 4x2 relays. The coaches\' daughter made her father very proud.
Largo junior Michaylin Golladay (4A Indoor 300m champion)nearly broke one of the oldest meet records in the women\'s 400m dash running an excellent :55.97 pulling four other girls under :60 seconds. She returned to anchor her 4x100 & 4x400m relays to victory. Howard County\'s Long Reach Girls had an excellent meet winning the 4x200m relay as well as the 100 hurdles and long jump. 3A Indoor hurdle champion, senior Janay Woolridge ran :14.73 in the hurdles trials but returned later to break the meet record and dominate the hurdle event running :14.58. Janay is headed to Missouri next fall.
Digital Harbor HS in Baltimore City has seen some excellent performances during the indoor season for both the girls and boys team. Head Coach Lutalo Bakari has done a fantastic job at this fairly new school and team. They continue to stride in their goal to compete with Mervo in the city. Senior Gerome Jones (1A Indoor SP Champion) had an outstanding effort in the Men\'s Shot Put breaking a 4-year old meet record with a throw of 57-02.25 (17.43m). Jones also ran a leg on the 4x100m relay exhibiting some speed for such a powerful young man. His teammate Kevin Jones helped their 4x800m relay place 2nd and returned to run :51.75 for 2nd in the Men\'s 400m dash.
The host school enjoyed a nice day at home on their track. Coach Pryor has faced some unfamiliar territory indoors losing the Baltimore County title for the first time in 7 years. His young team (only 2 seniors) has something to prove outdoors. When asked about his team\'s effort, Pryor would only reply, \"we\'re right on schedule\". The 6-year knowledgeable head coach of the Warriors is known for his ability to extract high quality performances from his athletes at the right time and at the championship meets.
Woodlawn Frosh Tyshia Oliver enjoyed a wonderful day in her very young athletic career. She ran PRs in the 100m (:12.95), 200m (:26.56) and 400m (:59.78) events. Coach Pryor was most pleased by his talented young charge and has high hopes for her in May/June. Junior Justin Payne also had a career day producing PRs in the Long & Triple Jumps, as well as the 200m and 400m events. A transfer from Mt. St. Joe this fall, Payne was strictly a jumper before coming to Woodlawn but Coach Pryor has expanded his role in the attempt to attract the attention of college coaches.
Feedback from Coaches, Parents and athletes were all very positive yesterday. The break in the weather was a welcomed change and with diverse heats and challenging competition, the Woodlawn Warrior Invitational remains to be a highlight on the spring track schedule. Meet Management would like to thank the Warrior T&F Booster Club for their efforts in organizing the concessions as well as the many volunteers and coaches who helped make this year\'s event a success. Next up for the Warriors will be the County Relays at Sparrows Point on 4/16 and then the Penn Relay Carnival. Woodlawn\'s Justin Payne (TJ) and Dwight Parker (3000m) are hoping for individual entry acceptances.