The Miami Northwestern girls (competing as the MNW LadyBulls TC) won a pair of relay national titles on day 1 of events at The NSAF Outdoor Nationals on Wednesday, June 30th.
In their first victory in the 1000 meter Swedish sprint medley relay (100-200-300-400) with a winning time of 2:10.15, Coach Carmen Jackson's squad outlasted another national powerhouse program in Oak Park High School (competing as Motor City TC) from Michigan in second place at 2:12.65.
The Miami Northwestern girls squad featured Paris Baker, Jadya Bushay, Keschay Smith and was anchored by 3A state champion and state leader Aaliyah Butler (53.05 SB) on the 400-meter anchor leg.
Later in the day competing in the championship division of the 800-meter sprint medley (100-100-200-400), the lineup included virtually the same group of girls with the exception of switching Keschay Smith out for their top 300-meter hurdler in Breanna Moss to run the 300-meter dash leg.
Aaliyah Butler threw down another dazzling anchor leg to split 53.06 to bring home another national title from Oregon for the Lady Bulls with a 1:42.93 victory and total time over the 800-meter SMR distance.
Other top Florida performances from day 1 of The Outdoor Nationals at Hayward Field included a pair of top eight finishers from throwers in the championship division.
Riley Simmons, a senior from Lakewood Ranch in Bradenton, grabbed 7th place in the championship girls shot put competition with a huge personal best and state leading mark of 14.42 meters besting her prior PR of 13.41 meters. The breakthrough performance converts to a remarkable 47'3.75" for English system measurements. She had a busy day on Wednesday competing also in the hammer throw (12th, 46.01 meters), and discus throw (22nd, 40.24 meters).
Jack Garey, a senior at Calvary Christian Academy in Fort Lauderdale competing for Broward Elite, finishing 8th in the championship boys javelin competition with a throw of 57.38 meters.