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.”
On Saturday, March 7, the relay team returned to the track to compete in the Federation final, which put the top 8 fastest schools regardless of division in the same race. The Quakers finished in fourth place and this time set a new school record, finishing in 3:56.51.
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