Indoor Track is undoubtedly one of Dwight Morrow’s most prominent sports. The Indoor Track and Field team finished the season with high honors in the Big North American selections. 

 This year’s team, made up of veterans and newcomers, was the first to fully compete since the global pandemic. The season’s goal was to make as many individual improvements as possible because of limited opportunities to compete. 

 “Due to enforcement of state indoor restrictions due to COVID, our team was limited to competitions mainly on the State level,” Head Coach Lisa Oden explained.

 As a result, Coach Oden and Assistant Coaches Jerome Anderson, Mike Epps, and Tyshawn Warren focused on individual improvements by training the athletes in a series of rigorous conditioning exercises and strength training. 

The approach worked and many team members had standout performances. Among them are senior and team captain Marvellous Bassey’s 1st Team All League high jump, senior Vanton Evans’1st Team All League triple jump, and sophomore Jordan Moorer’s who made 1st Team All League in the 200-meter dash. These top accomplishments led the team to its 3rd place finish in the Big North American League championships. 

Due to the cancellation of many meets in New Jersey, athletes also were obligated to compete in several meets in a short period of time against others who may have been better prepared.

 Nevertheless, team members excelled because of their hard work and training. Junior Ma’Jia Foster finished 2nd for the Team All League 55-meter hurdles, sophomore Isaiah Findlay won 2nd in the Team All League long jump, and two freshmen did their parts: Saundrae Palmer who finished 2nd for the Team All League 55-meter dash, and Kimberley Jang who secured 2nd place in the Team All League 1600-meter run. Saundrae advanced to the NJSIAA State Group competition in the 55 meters, after an outstanding performance in the NJSIAA State sectionals. She is a model athlete for others on the team.

 “My time on the Indoor Track team was enjoyable and new,” freshman Anastasia Baker said. “I especially cherish the bonds I made with my teammates and coaches. I believe that athletics in general provide a positive experience for students at DMHS.”

Junior Victoria Galette, who served as team-leader, was instrumental in navigating the team through practice drills with assistance from captain Marvellous Bassey, and she received an honorable mention for her contributions to the team. Senior Herbert Brown also earned an honorable mention.

These Maroon Raiders plan to continue training and continue to compete in meets at the state level this spring so that they can compete at the national level one day.