Naomi Brookner/The Gazette Olivia Ekponé

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Athlete of the Year

Olivia EkponéNorthwest, Junior, 55 meters

In five track seasons, county's top sprinter has earned this honor five times. Ran county's fastest 55 dash (6.97) at 4A states, anchored 4x2 and 4x4 teams.

Coach of the Year

Beth MuehlNorthwest

Behind strength of relay teams, county coaching stalwart guided consistent Jaguars to second-place finish at county, region, state meets.

First team

Katie WolfChurchill, Sr.,

300 metersIn final indoor season, her fastest time (40.61) came as runner-up at counties. Also placed second at regionals, fourth at states.

Britt EckerstromNorthwest, Jr.,

500 metersMiddle-distance standout earned county, regional championships while proving to be area's fastest (1:17.07). Finished second at 4A states.

Maryam FikriChurchill, Sr.,

800 metersCounty, region meet victor saved best performance for last, breaking 2-minute, 20-second mark at states (2:19.99) in fourth-place finish.

Alyssa HenshawNorthwest, Sr.,

1,600 metersCounty champion was one of only two local runners to break 5:20. Ran 5:16.93 at counties. Placed fourth at regionals, seventh at states.

Alexandra GieddChurchill, Sr.,

3,200 metersRecorded area's fastest time of season by nearly 7 seconds en route to county meet victory (1:32.86). Placed third at regionals, 4A states.

Teju AdewoleGood Counsel,

Jr., 55 hurdlesArguably county's most consistent hurdler over course of season, recorded best mark (8.26 seconds) at Mid-Atlantic Track Classic in Landover.

Thea LaFondKennedy, Jr.,

high jumpDynamic leaper emerged victorious at counties, 3A West Region meet. Placed second at 3A states with season-best leap of 5 feet, 2 inches.

Leah LangQuince Orchard,

Sr., shot putCounty champion led Cougars in field events. Best throw came at 3A state championship meet (34-04.5), good for third-place finish.

Naami WagnerNorthwood,

Sr., pole vaultIn event not highly publicized nor widely practiced, Wagner was at her best at 3A West regional, clearing 9-6. Placed third at states.

RelaysNorthwest, 4x200 relay

Britt Eckerstrom, Jr.; India Knight, Soph.; Alana Rule, Sr.; Olivia Ekponé, Jr.

Dominant in setting several meet records. Fastest time came in state championship win (1:42.86).

Northwest, 4x400 relay

Britt Eckerstrom, Jr.; India Knight, Soph.;

Alyssa Henshaw, Sr.; Olivia Ekponé, Jr.

Swept all postseason events while nearly breaking 4-minute mark at states (4:00.17).

Northwest, 4x800 relay

Britt Eckerstrom, Jr.; India Knight, Soph.; Achangkang Achamorfaw, Soph.; Alyssa Henshaw, Sr.

Just like their counterparts, quartet swept all postseason events with season-best 9:30.67 at states.

Honorable mention

-Rachel Watkins, Magruder, Soph., 55 meters

-Le'quisha Parker, Northwood, Jr., 300 meters

-Udeme Akpaete, Springbrook, Soph., 500 meters

-Grace Corbett, Wootton, Soph., 800 meters

-Abbey Daley, Clarksburg, Fr., 1,600 meters

-Camille Bouvet, Walter Johnson, Jr., 3,200 meters

-Gwen Shaw, Wootton, Fr., 55 hurdles

-Rachel Osnos, Whitman, Sr., high jump

-Rachel Porzel, Blake, Jr., shot put

-Erin Parker, Damascus, Jr., pole vault

Relays-Paint Branch, 4x200 relay

Mary Ayegbusi; Madina Diao; Jasmine Jones; Felicia Grizzle

-Churchill, 4x400 relay

Maryam Fikri; Katie Wolf; Alejandra Martinez; Jenna Cantor

-Walter Johnson, 4x800 relay

Camille Bouvet; Sydney Calas; Jennifer Spencer; Jenna Willett