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Sports

West Potomac Track Stars Break Records

Sarah Underwood and Mark Lotterie love running for their school

The West Potomac indoor track team recently competed in three track meets where they broke  state records.

Contrary to their name, the dedicated team practices outside, even in 34 degree weather.

"Fairfax County doesn’t have an indoor track, so we train outside," coach Jenn Dietz said. "Last year, we even shoveled a single track out of the snow to keep running."

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Junior Captain Sarah Jane Underwood is the current indoor 1000 meter defending champion and two time All-State individual. Underwood also won the women's 4 x 800 meter with teammates Sophia Passacantando, Dale Lescher and Sami Miller, earning Virginia's current best time. Underwood went on to win the 800 meter over the regional top seed from Edison High School's Myah Hicks.

"The 1000 meter is my favorite event," Underwood said. "The best part is going on long runs with the girls. I love my team."

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Underwood has been running since she joined the girl's track team in middle school. With a sister running for Thomas Jefferson High School, competing at West Potomac came as the next logical step.

"The former coach, Don Beeby, knew that my sister was a runner and wanted me to attend a camp," Underwood said. "It was something I like and chose to go with it."

Sophomore Mark Lotterie is currently ranked first in the Liberty Region and took 2nd place in the 100 meter with a time of 2.39.

“I’d pick the 800 meter over any event," Lotterie said. “I love running with the team. We’re really close together, and we are all on a similar level. So it’s great to run with them.”

Lotterie has been playing soccer his entire life and was quickly recruited by the former coach. As a regionally-qualifying sophomore, Lotterie has a couple years to increase his speed.

"Coach Beeby lured me into the running camp," Lotterie said. "I decided it’d be a better decision to switch to track. I’d like to get a scholarship to run in college.”

Underwood, Lotterie and the rest of the team will travel to New York on Jan. 22 for a meet and will compete against West Springfield, T.C. Williams and Woodson on Jan. 27 at the Episcopal indoor track.

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