WAXHAW, N.C. — The Cuthbertson High School girls and boys track and field teams made history this summer winning their first outdoor track state championships.

What You Need to Know

The Cuthbertson High School girls and boys track and field teams won the NCHSAA 3A state championship

For the boys track and field team, it was its first state title

The teams faced hurdles amid the pandemic

The girls won indoor track championships four years in a row, but this was the first outdoor title. 

For the boys team, it was its first state title. 

The victories came during a challenging year with the cancellation of indoor track, COVID-19 restrictions and coaching changes. 

The pandemic also delayed the outdoor track season. 

Teammates Jacob Koerner and Zach Ross spent hours on the trails behind their homes before the season started.

“It helped us earlier and got us way more prepared to what was ahead of us,” Ross said.

Once they were able to train with the rest of the team, COVID-19 restrictions were in place. 

“We were all spaced out in lanes. We had to wear masks while running, so that created difficulties. It’s definitely some hurdles we had to get over, but everyone had the same goal,” Koerner said. 

On June 26, the boys and the girls won North Carolina High School Athletic Association 3A state championships. 

Koerner admits he became emotional when he knew his team won. He said during his high school career they had always finished second.

“That was an unbelievable experience,” Koerner said.

Ross had mixed emotions to achieve their common goal. 

“You’re sad because we’re seniors, and it’s over. You are just happy, filled with so much joy. You’re filled with excitement because you won,” Ross said. 

For Cuthbertson High School’s track and field coach Dustin Allen, it was one of the best days of his life. 

“For us to get through all those hurdles and then coming to the end of the day as I've said all year ‘win the day,’ it was great. I had tears. I was crying. I was laughing,” Allen said. 

It was also exciting as the girls team won and set two 3A state records in the process. Alyssa Preisano set a record in the 1,600-meter race.

“Honestly it's still hasn't necessarily set in with everything that happened. Going into the race, I was more focused on trying to get as many points as possible for the team and doing what I could to help. I went into the race hoping to help everyone,” Preisano said. 

Allen said nine of the school’s track and field students, including Ross and Koerner, received recognition at The Outdoor Nationals in Oregon. 

Koerner and Ross credit part of their success to training together. 

“It would’ve been way harder to do without someone there pushing me,” Ross said. 

Koerner will run track at the University of Michigan, and Ross will compete at Auburn University.