Newark HS Track Team Earns ‘Monumental’ First-Place Win

NEWARK, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the Newark Board of Education. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

The Malcolm X Shabazz High School’s Boys Indoor Track Team made a stunning showing in the Millrose Games at The Armory last Saturday, winning first place in the Boys Suburban High School 4x400 meter relay.

They were invited to the elite track meet because of their strong winning season. They were young runners, mostly underclassmen, who had never seen the games’ heightened level of competition. Plus, the team had been beset with illness and fatigue from a rigorous schedule.

“They’ve had a long season, a great season by any definition, but above being tired – they are Bulldogs,” said Superintendent León.

“This win was monumental,” said Shabazz Track Head Coach Hassan N. Wilson, who came from St. Benedict’s Prep three years ago to coach all of Shabazz’s track programs. “This is historic for Newark Public Schools. These young men actually grew and matured within that moment and showed that they were capable.”

Superintendent León and Board of Education President Hasani K. Council enthusiastically congratulated the team.

“The Malcolm X Shabazz High School Boys Track Team personified our district’s theme for this school year of ‘This Is The Moment’,” said Superintendent León. “These incredible young men seized the moment of the opportunity before them, rose to the occasion, and gave everything they had as a team. This was a once in a lifetime experience, and these young men were ready. I want to thank and acknowledge Head Coach Wilson and everyone who works with him for leading these student-athletes to compete at their very best.”

“This incredible victory by the Malcolm X Shabazz High School Boys Track Team is a testament to their dedication, perseverance, and sheer talent,” said President Council. “Competing at the Millrose Games and taking home first place is an achievement that speaks volumes about their commitment to excellence and the strength of our student-athletes. These young men have made Newark Public Schools proud, and we look forward to seeing them continue to shine both on and off the track.”

The race put Shabazz against five other teams: East Orange, West Orange, Hackensack, Suffern (NY), and New Rochelle (NY). The starting gun fired and David Edokpolor, a junior who had only been running for two years, kept pace with most of the field in the first leg. Khalid Raheem, another junior, took the baton and advanced up to third place. In the third leg, Michael Odins, a senior, managed to establish Shabazz’s lead. In the end, it was Justin Parris, a junior and the relay team’s anchor, who widened their lead and broke the tape to give Shabazz their first-place win.

CLICK HERE to see a video of the race.

Head Coach Wilson thanked and acknowledged his team of coaches: Assistant Head Coach Isaiah Sanchez, Hurdles Coach Anthony Smith, and Sprints and Mid-Distance Coach Victor Sanchez. Wilson added that Odins, the senior on the relay team, has received acceptances to seven universities and that he plans to run competitively in college.

“The light is now shining bright on a team that has underclassmen,” said Wilson, who ran track as a student at Essex Catholic High School and attended William Paterson University on a full scholarship. “We have a talented group of underclassmen who are going to return next year.”

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