MSD's Varsity Boys Track & Field team has been selected the 2023 USADTF/NDIAA Division I Team of the Year! The Orioles had a successful year, achieving top-two finishes nationwide in individual and relay team events, earning 148 team points this season for the program's fifth national championship.
Seven student-athletes from MSD's 2023 Boys Track & Field Team of the Year have received postseason recognition from USADTF/NDIAA.
Zion Ortiz, a senior, secured second place and earned All-American recognition in the 100m event with an impressive time of 11.22. He was just .13 milliseconds away from the fastest recorded time by Will Devis from Florida. Nicholas Starks, a junior, achieved the fastest time in the nation with 52.97 in the 400m event.
The 800m Relay Team, consisting of seniors Keanu Herzig-Wilcox, Nathan Sheppeck, Zion Ortiz, and Ethan Guettler, claimed the fastest time in the nation, clocking in at 1:35.66, earning them All-American recognition. Their outstanding performance edged out Model Secondary's Relay team by .16 milliseconds.
In addition, Mark Gwynn III, a freshman, earned an honorable mention in the High Jump event, clearing the bar at 5'08". Mepper Beshears, a senior, also earned an honorable mention in two events, recording the second-best time in the nation in both the 110m Hurdles event with a time of 16.14 and the 300m Hurdles event with a time of 43.55.
Coach Randy Shank led MSD's varsity boys track & field program to its fifth national title and was named the 2023 USADTF/NDIAA Boys Track & Field Coach of the Year. This is Coach Shank's fifth Coach of the Year award.
Varsity Girls Track & Field
Four student-athletes from MSD's 2023 Girls Track & Field team have also received postseason recognition from USADTF/NDIAA. Olivia Clinger, a senior, earned third place and All-American honor in the 100m event with a time of 13.42. Jacqundia Fuller, a freshman, secured All-American status with a second-place finish in the 200m event, crossing the finish line in 28.34.
The 400m Relay Team, consisting of senior Bella Finkle, senior Olivia Clinger, freshman Jacqundia Fuller, and senior Sigridura Junc, attained All-American honors with an impressive time of 54.43, ranking as the third fastest in the nation.
Additionally, senior Bella Finkle's outstanding performance in the Javelin event, covering a distance of 72'08", earned her an honorable mention.
Varsity Baseball
In Varsity Baseball, NDIAA has named sophomore Zeke Ortiz, senior Zion Ortiz, and senior Nathan Sheppeck First-Team All-Americans.
For a complete listing of award winners from the 2022-2023 school year, please visit https://ndiaa.us/.