A new girls winner: Potomac tops Gar-Field at district meet

There had never been a time in which the Potomac girls' track team experienced the thrill of winning a Cardinal District title.

Gar-Field was always stealing the spotlight. The Indians were always on top due to their success in the field events, distance races and pole vault.

On Thursday, that changed.

A solid number of finishes helped the Panthers claim their first district title. Potomac totaled 134 points to 111 for Gar-Field.

"It's great," Potomac senior Pearl Bickersteth said. "We really came out and competed."

Potomac's success had usually come as a result of from solid performances from Bicker-steth, Yvonne Amegashie and Debra Baner.

The trio continued to excel during the three-day meet. Bickersteth, as expected, won the high jump (5 feet, 6 inches). Amegashie, also as expected, won the 100 (12.64 seconds), 200 (25.66) and 400 (57.82). Baner took third in the 1600 (5:33.16) and 3200 (12:20.29).

But what really put the Panthers over the top were the great finishes by Lauren Coleman, Eboni Strawder and Oluoma Chukwu. Coleman won the long jump (16-10), took second in the triple jump (34-9 1/2) and helped Potomac win the 400-meter relay (51.13).

Chukwu was third in the 200 (26.81), third in the long jump (16-6½), fourth in the 400 (1:01.49) and fourth in the high jump (4-10).

"It's everyone out here giving their effort," Bickersteth said. "We've never had a huge team, but we've had the talent and the drive to come out here and do what we have to do."

Bickersteth admitted that the Panthers' 2008-09 indoor season was a disappointment. It was tough to settle for placing second at the district meet despite Gar-Field graduating two middle distance runners and its top shot putter.

So the Panthers entered this season with more drive.

"This time, we were praying we'd take it," Bickersteth said. "As seniors, we'd love to leave here knowing we won a district championship."

The talent on Forest Park's boys' team came through as well. The Bruins won the boys' competition with 173 points, allowing them to sweep the district titles in cross country, indoor and outdoor track.

"It's great," Bruins senior Gary Schlesinger said. "I'm proud of how we did."

Schlesinger came to Thursday's competition having suffered an ankle injury in Wednes-day's long jump. But he pushed the pain aside to place second in the 100 (11.33) and 200 (22.68).

"My motto is determination," Schlesinger said. "I'm determined to per-form my best."

The Bruins continued to be solid in the distance events. They swept the top four spots in the 3200, led by winner Patrick Cobb (10:17.46). Tyler Iwanicki (10:22.37), Jacob Mesler (10:31.45) and Kyle Swanson (10:40.75) finished second through fourth.

Cobb also won the 1600 (4:35.41) and Daniel Camacho helped by finishing second in the 800 (2:04.86).

Stuart Shotwell gave the Bruins a boost by winning the pole vault (12-0).

While the Bruins have proven distance runners, their ability to excel in the sprinting events was key to them becoming a formidable team.