Queens of the track: Chino Hills girls 4×100 relay team making history
CHINO HILLS, Calif. — Records were broken and history was made on the Chino Hills High School track this year. The girls’ 4×100 relay team, made up of Lady William-Mensah, Jordyn Thomas, Isabella Duarte, and Adaorah Okafor are so highly decorated, the Huskies may need a whole new hall of fame.
If you haven’t heard of this team yet, picture this: You’re at a bustling track meet and they announce for the girls’ relay teams to report to their starting positions. The jumpers keep jumping, shot putters keep throwing, and waiting runners sit scattered around the field. Nothing seems out of the ordinary.
Then the starter gun goes off.
Lady’s quick jump off the blocks immediately catches your attention. It’s like an optical illusion of something going so fast that it seems like it’s moving in slow motion. She makes you sit up straighter in your seat and wonder “Whoa, who is that?” Trailing close behind, the other runners seemingly have a chance; until she passes the baton to Jordyn.
Equally as impressive, she takes off on the straightaway and stretches the team’s lead to a comfortable place. Her laser focus is evident as she gives a no-look pass to Bella, whose third leg around the bend also gives no mercy. She takes off with such speed and strength, a comeback from another team seems impossible.
She smoothly passes to Adaorah, who takes off for the finish line. Although no one is close to her, she still crosses with the same tenacity and stretch as if an opponent was right next to her. The girls come together and humbly celebrate, offering positive words to the other teams as well as each other.
Elite running AND phenomenal sportsmanship? Who are these girls?
Comprised of two seniors and two juniors, this impressive team has been running together for the last two years. This spring they broke the 4×100 school record with a time of 47.21 seconds and they are the 2023 undefeated Baseline League champions. They all love math, their family, and representing for our city. Although appointed by their coach, they each feel their position in the race is perfect for them.
Lady William-Mensah: First leg. Lady’s first love is actually soccer. This year she was selected by the Southern California Soccer Coaches Association to receive the girls’ soccer All-CIF award. “I’ve played soccer my entire life and was always told I was speedy. My older sister, Persis, made it to the 2016 Rio Olympics for track, so it was suggested that I try it, too.” On top of her 4×100 relay team success, Lady is the 2023 undefeated Baseline League champion and school record holder in the 100m. For the last two years she’s also been undefeated in the 4×400 relay, where she teams up again with Bella and Jordyn. She says the key to her success is staying stretched, listening to the sounds of the track, and having fun. “Being in a sport shouldn’t be stressful, you should enjoy what you’re doing.” A junior, Lady hopes to play soccer and run track in college. “I want everyone to know that I love what I do and I’m so happy I can share it with others.”
Jordyn Thomas: Second Leg. Jordyn’s inspiration to run comes from her older sisters. “My oldest sister, Jasmine, is the blueprint. My middle sister, Jaeyln, is a trailblazing national champion in track and field at the collegiate level. They are great role models I admire, and I want to be as successful as they are.” Jordyn says what she loves about track is that she controls her destiny. “I have to hold myself accountable because no one can step in and compete for me.” She credits her team’s success to their powerful dynamic and blind trust they’ve built. “We listen for the sounds of our teammates’ footsteps and voice yelling ‘stick’. We can’t look back for them, we just have to trust they are going to be there.” A three-year varsity runner, Jordyn’s 4×400 team has been undefeated for the last 2 years, and she, too, in the 400m. She currently holds second place in the 200m and is the undefeated Baseline League champion with this 4×100 team. Jordyn has committed to run Division 1 track at the University of San Diego, where she’ll study computer science.
Isabella Duarte: Third Leg. Isabella runs by the motto “pressure is an illusion”, a quote from Olympic Gold Medalist Sydney McLaughlin. “I put pressure toward my energy and adrenaline. Instead of fear, it pushes me to focus on the best I can possibly do.” While older sister Jacqui is a state track champion, Bella is a legacy runner who actually used to not like running. Freshman year she realized how much she loved the sense of family track offers. “I love that track not only tests your physical abilities, but also your mental abilities. It teaches you discipline, and shows that you can accomplish more than you think when you really set your mind to it.” Along with being part of the currently undefeated 4×100, and 2-time undefeated 4×400 relay team, Bella is also undefeated this season in the 800m. A four-year varsity track and cross-country runner, she has committed to run Division 1 track at UC Irvine where she’ll study psychology.
Adaorah Okafor: The Anchor. Unlike her teammates, track does not run in Adaorah’s blood. She’s an only child who happened to end up in the track coach’s biology class during the pandemic. “I used to play soccer and do other sports; track never really made sense to me. Mr. Morales kept talking about it, so I tried it one day.” She says the key to her strong finish is to run every race like it’s her last. “I feel like if I give everything I have every time I step on the track, then I won’t be upset with my times.” In 2022 she was a Junior Olympian and won the 2022 California State Games 100m for her age group. She feels proud to be a part of an undefeated 4×100 relay team. The other junior on the team, she would love to continue sports in college while studying to be a criminal defense attorney.
The girls commit to a healthy diet, proper sleep schedule and consistent recovery routines.
“Running is a lifestyle which requires lots of sacrifice and discipline in order to maintain good health and a good mindset.” Bella said.
When asked how they stay humble, they reminisced on what it was like to not be in their position.
“Everyone does their best in their event. It’s nice to congratulate people, and to get congratulated. I used to not congratulate people, but then I was congratulated, and I felt really happy. Now I make sure I congratulate people.” Jordyn said.
Adaorah says gratitude helps, too. “Some teams don’t have the opportunities we do. Another school told us they don’t have a track and they train on grass. We are lucky to have a track, a team, and a coach who really cares about us.”
As they head into CIF-Southern Section and State Finals, Jordyn stays focused on the task at hand. “We still have so much work to do, so it doesn’t feel like the end yet. After we hopefully take it all the way, I think that’s when it will hit me that it’s actually over and how much I’m going to miss my team.
And sometimes that’s the hardest part about good things; they eventually come to an end.
“I feel like this team has been planned for so long, and it was finally put into action, so I don’t know how I feel about it coming to an end. I’m pretty sure I’m going to cry.” Adaorah said.
Lady agreed, “It’s bittersweet, because I really love my relay team, and it won’t be the same without Jordyn and Bella. I’m really going to miss them.”
Bella shares the sentiment, “I’m sad because I’ve really built a relationship with my teammates. The bond with all of us has grown into good friendships.”
Friendships and memories that will last a lifetime. These young queens are an inspiration both on and off the track. If anyone ever says, “You run like a girl,” think of this team and proudly proclaim, Yes I DO!
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