Boys’ sprinters win national title at New Balance Indoors
Going overtakes leader in bell lap
From left, Glenroy Ford, Malcolm Going, Sean-Michael Parkinson, and Malachi Lorick are boys’ national champions in the 1600m Sprint Medley Relay in NYC earlier this month.
March 20, 2018
In the last leg of the race, Malcolm Going took the baton and was neck-in-neck with a competitor from East Orange, N.J. In the last seconds Going was able to pass him and cross the line first.
The Hatters won their second track national title on March 10, the first since 2008. Danbury became national champs in the 1600 Sprint Medley Relay at the New Balance Nationals Indoors 2018.
The team includes seniors Sean-Michael Parkinson and Glenroy Ford, and juniors Going and Malachai Lorick. The event was held at The New Balance Track and Field Center at The Armory in New York City. (See the team’s post-race interview here).
Coached by Rob Murray, the team broke the school-, FCIAC- and Connecticut state-records. The Hatters finished at 3:28.36; East Orange came in second at 3:28.99 and Pearl River trailed in third at 3:30.20.
“It’s been a remarkable season with the team in general,” Murray said. “We were able to sweep the championship season, winning the western division championships, FCIAC championships, Class LL, State Championship, and the State Open Championship. We’ve had an undefeated championship season in our 4×4 relay.”
Team members said they knew they had the potential to reach the podium. They wanted to leave Nationals as All-Americans.
Parkinson said it was “unbelievable and unpredictable. We wanted to go in and come out as All-American, but when Malcolm crossed the line, which was astonishing, I just yelled ‘Oh my God!’ and jumped up and down, trying to find where everyone was. It was overwhelming. Overwhelming.”
Going, who was 2 seconds behind the leader at the baton-handoff but then in the bell lap sprinted from 3rd to overtake the East Orange leader a few strides from the tape, acknowledged the craziness and excitement around him.
“We knew we had a chance of winning, but what we didn’t know how much of a chance,” said Going, No. 5 in the nation in the 800m. “When I passed the line, we were all ecstatic. I mean it’s the National Championships, that’s really exciting.”
The win felt like like a dream for Lorick. “You think you’re dreaming,” Lorick said. “Malcolm crossing that line and you being national champion, it’s just great.”
The team will receive their national champ rings in June.
The road to become national champions wasn’t an easy one. It took hard work, dedication and teamwork from the medley team.
“It’s all hardwork and dedication by all of us,” Going said. “I know it sounds cliche but it’s true. Sometimes you want to go hang out with your friends but you go to practice. It’s passion and determination.”
Lorick added: “We practice every day, every week, every month. Season never ends.”
The relationship between the four athletes is what pushes them to achieve.
“We work well,” Ford said. “We goof around at times, but we always help each other fix our problems.”
Murray said it’s always been evident of the medley team’s pride representing DHS and the program. “It is great to have coached them, and to have helped them develop,” the coach said. They’re the national champions.”
The next challenge for the boys is the outdoor track and field season when they hope to become outdoor champions.
“You try to process it,” Ford said of the national title. “That you’re All-American, that you’re a national champion. It’s indescribable in all aspects.”
