On Friday, May 1st, the Concord Yellowjackets traveled to Stockbridge High School to compete in a multi-team meet, facing off against 12 other schools in a competitive field. By the end of the night, the girls’ team delivered an impressive performance, placing 1st overall, while the boys’ team placed 9th.
The meet brought a mix of strong finishes, new challenges, and standout moments for Concord athletes. One of the biggest highlights came from Rakai Hill, who stepped into the long jump for the first time and made an immediate impact. Despite having just learned the event that same day, Hill recorded a jump of 11 ‘7”, showing both natural ability and confidence. She also competed in the 100 m hurdles, advancing from prelims to finals, and contributed to the 4 x 100 m relay. Hill shares, “In my next meet, I hope that I can place at least top six in a long jump because I just started that event and I really enjoy it and want to push myself to be great at it.”
Another major achievement for the Yellowjackets came from Annie Saenz, who competed in the girls’ high jump and qualified for the state meet. Her performance marked an important milestone and added to the team’s overall success, helping secure the top finish for the girls’ team.
On the boys’ side, several athletes took on key roles throughout the meet. Jase Herendeen competed in three demanding events: the 4 x 800 m relay, the 1-mile run, and the 4 x 400 m relay. Balancing multiple races, he showed endurance and commitment across each event,
contributing valuable points and effort to the team. When asked how he motivated himself before a race, Herendeen responded: “I just find a friend and talk to said friend, or I listen to my track playlist.”
Jeff Thomas represented Concord in the boys’ 100 m dash, competing in the prelims. Well, he did not advance to the finals, but he still put in a solid effort against a fast and competitive group of runners. For the next meet, Thomas shares, “I want to get better times and to be way more successful than I have been recently.”
In field events, Mathon McKenzie competed in the boys’ discus, adding depth to the team’s performance. His effort helped round out the boys’ team as they worked through a challenging lineup of events.
Overall, the meat reflected both the strengths and growth of the team as a whole. The girls team’s first-place finish stood out as a major accomplishment, while the boys team continued to build experience against tough competition, with standout performances, new personal challenges, and continued progress. The team showed determination and teamwork throughout the entire meet.
Come cheer on our Yellowjackets at their next meet on Wednesday, May 6th, at Maple Valley High School. Field events will begin at 4:30 p.m., followed by running events starting at 5:00 p.m.
