Girls’ 4x400m Relay Team Wins New York State Championship

The Friends Academy girls’ 4x400m relay team won the Division 2 New York State Championship on Friday night and nearly matched its own school record in the process.

Freshman Ariana Madeira, sophomore Lana Alvarez, senior Cynthia Eustache, and junior Maia Madeira finished in 3:57.56 — the team’s second-best time of the season. They missed equaling their school record by .19 seconds, a mark they had set in early February at the prestigious Millrose Games (3:57.37).

The relay team, which includes freshman London Johnson as an alternate, peaked at the right time entering the state championships. Due to excessive snow and schedule disruptions in February, the team missed practice opportunities and saw its time climb to 4:12.92 at the Section VIII State Qualifier meet on Feb. 12.

But the Quakers were able to find their stride when it mattered most, with their closest competitor in the Division 2 finals finishing in 4:02.32.

“The girls were loose and having fun until it was time to lock in,” Friends Academy Coach Franklin Thompson said. “And then they were focused on attaining their goal. On the lead-off leg, Cynthia made a huge move on her last 100m, and there was no looking back.”

The team will compete Saturday, March 7, in the Federation final, which puts the top 8 fastest schools in the state in the same race regardless of division; the Quakers are seeded fifth based on times from Friday.

SATURDAY TICKETS: Watch FA athletes compete in individual events on March 7

Also on Saturday, senior Cooper Mott will compete in the boys’ high jump. He secured his spot in the state meet by clearing 6’4”— a school record — at the Section VIII State Qualifier in mid-February.

Ariana Madeira will also compete in an individual event on Saturday. Entering the meet, she is ranked No. 8 in the 600m. She advanced to states by winning the event in 1:34.35 at the Section VIII qualifier.

Follow the championship meet in near-realtime with updates from MileSplitNY.