PHILADELPHIA —  The Tabor Academy’s Girls’ Track relay team have made their  mark by placing in the New Balance Outdoor Nationals on Sunday, June 18 at Franklin Field at the University of Pennsylvania. 

The New Balance Outdoor Nationals is a national track and field championship meet where high school students compete.

According to team captain Cate Parks of Marion, the girls’  4x100 relay team consisting of Parks, Ava Lomerto, Ayla Sahin and Sarah Adams finished in eighth place with a time of 49.02 minutes at the championship finals.

“We were just really proud of ourselves for making it to the finals,” said Parks.

Mattapoisett’s Tess Adams finished 14th in the freshman division for javelin, according to Parks.

As a graduating senior, Parks said that competing in the New Balance Outdoor Nationals has been the highlight of her high school track career.

“[Being on the track team] has taught me even in other areas of my life that showing up for the people around you can really have a positive impact,” she said. “It has taught me the importance of teamwork more than anything else.”

Parks said that team members served as “cheerleaders” on the sidelines as they watched their teammates compete.

“No matter who is running or the event you can see everyone screaming their heads off,” said Parks.

Parks said that in addition to being a “tight knit” team, support from their coaches and parents were instrumental to the team’s success. 

“Our moms have been an integral part of this whole experience,” said Parks. “They made custom t-shirts for nationals. They are so into it, we really couldn’t have done it without them.”