Track and field ends season with highlights

JR Hawkins ‘28 hurdling during Haverford’s PAISAA track meet

The track and field team placed second in the PAISAA championship this spring, capping off an impressive year for the program. 

“What made the accomplishments stand out was that it was not carried by just one or two athletes,” Fifth Former Haven Hoilett said. “The team scored points across the board, with strong performances from the team, especially in short distances. We should have won the PAISAA Championship, but [we] just fell short.” 

The outstanding second-place 4x400m relay team consisted of Sixth Former Ahijah Goins, Fifth Formers Haven Hoilett and Bryan Tucker Jr, and Fourth Former J.R. Hawkins. 

Several individual athletes also had great performances in the meet, including Fifth Former Charlie Beifeld. Beifeld placed first in both the 100m and the 200m sprints in the PAISAA Championship. Among the individuals who performed well with high stakes were Hoilett, who placed 2nd in the 200m sprint, Goins, who placed 2nd in the 400m sprint, and Fifth Former Isaiah Bland, who placed 3rd in the 800m sprint. 

“We bounced back and won the Philly Area Final in the pouring rain and cold weather.”

– Ahijah Goins ’26

For the Sixth Formers, the team’s accomplishments meant a lot more than placing second. It was the payoff of years of weekend practices and long travel days to meet across the region. 

“I’m most proud of the team for having some of the best collective stats in the state, from winning indoor states and Inter-Ac’s to almost sweeping at PAISAA. We had great relays and independent performances all year, but the most important part is what we can do as one team,” Goins said. 

Reflecting on his last season at Haverford, Goins looks past the loss. 

“We ran a hard-fought first round for the Inter-Ac title, and we fell short of the Championship of America division at Penn Relays,” Goins said. “We were less than a second away, and unfortunately, our top competitor, EA, got the last spot. Despite that, we bounced back and won the Philly Area Final in the pouring rain and cold weather.”