The Spring Sports season at Parkdale has brought a mix of competitive matchups, team growth, and individual achievements. Boys and Girls Lacrosse, Track & Field, Tennis, Baseball and Softball all wrapped up their seasons with a range of results. Some teams reached the playoffs, while others celebrated standout performances and personal bests. A few school records were broken, and several athletes made headlines for their efforts.
Here’s a look back at the season’s stats, accomplishments, and standout players.
One of the teams that showed noticeable growth this season was Boys Lacrosse. With only a few returning players and more newcomers, the team faced early challenges but managed to come together over the course of the season.
“I think the team did pretty good,” said Coach Torrey Turner. “Despite having few players returning…we made it to regional championships for the first time in four years, so thats big.”
There were many memorable moments for the team, including wins against Northwestern and a thrilling overtime playoff victory against Bladensburg–clear signs of their improvement.
Coach Turner also praises his players’ development, especially their toughness and commitment.
“They battled injuries all year, so having to come to practice with soreness and still grow throughout the year was amazing to see,” he explained. “Everybody grew. A lot of new guys walked their way on the field because of how much they worked in practice.”
Among the team’s standout athletes were senior Joshua Adewami and junior Joel Tobar-Diaz, both of who played key roles in the team’s success.
Adewami, who has been on the team for four years, set a goal to score 30 goals this season and keep his penalty minutes low.
“I ended with 28 or 29 goals and eight minutes of penalty time,” he said. He credits his growth in shooting and stick skills to hard work and says his coach helped him stay grounded. “He made sure to keep me humble so I wouldn’t perceive myself as bigger than the program.”
Tobar-Diaz, who stepped up in his second year playing attack, focused on supporting his teammates and improving his mental game.
“One thing I learned this season was patience,” he said. “We all grew together as a team and lifted each other when the new people weren’t doing as good.”
Both players emphasized the importance of individual effort and team spirit, offering advice to younger athletes to work hard outside of practice and make the most of their time on the team.
Click through the pictures below for a glimpse into the boys’ LAX season:
While the Boys Lacrosse team found success this spring, the Girls Lacrosse team had a season filled with growth and memorable moments.
The team not only made improvements on the field, but also strengthened their bond off it. Team traditions, like pupusa dinner at El Comalito and a trip to see the University of Maryland’s Women’s team play, were some memorable moments. One of their biggest on-field highlights came with a win over Flowers High School–a team Parkdale had never beaten before. Another big moment came when the team traveled to Baltimore to face Kenwood High School, a game they were expected to lose but won.
One player who made an impact this season was sophomore Nalani Miller, who stood out for her energy and presence on the field. While she didn’t start the season with personal goals, she focused on helping her team win more games–and they did.
“I just wanted to win even more this year, and yeah, we did,” she said.
Miller also improved her stick skills, and ball control, as well as learning how to better connect with her teammates on and off the field. She also thanked her coaches for trusting her play style, and giving her the freedom to grow.
“The coaches helped me grow by just letting me be free on the field and trusting what I do,” she said.
Another contributor was goalie sophomore Indira Wilson, who delivered a strong season, consistently making crucial saves.
“I did have goals this season, and I achieved them because I stayed focused and came to practice,” Wilson said. “At practice, Coach Lail taught us important skills that helped me improve and made me feel good about my progress.”
As a goalie, Wilson said her biggest improvement was her movement on the field.
“I learned to move my feet better so I could block more goals,” she said.
Reflecting on the team’s season, Wilson said that although she believes the team did well overall, some of the games, she and her teammates needed to “get out of our heads sometimes.”
Both Wilson and Miller encouraged newcomer athletes to keep an open mind and stay committed, reminding them that progress in sports takes time, and that rewards come with effort and patience.
Click through the images below to check out the girls’ LAX season. All photos courtesy of Coach Brian Moore.
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While lacrosse brought thrilling victories and team bonding, Parkdale’s Track and Field also made its mark this season, including both standout performances and growth.
Led by Coach Walter Swift, who leads Parkdale’s Cross Country, Indoor & Outdoor Track programs, the team’s performance was “average,” according to Swift, noting a mix of high and lows–but also moments of success.
One of the season’s biggest highlights came from senior Kieran White, who had an impressive year across multiple seasons. He finished second in the Maryland State Cross Country Championships, was named All-Met in Cross Country, and later claimed the 4A State indoor title in the 3200-meter run.
This spring, White continued to show excellence in outdoor track, focusing on the two-mile event.
“I had goals this season, like running the two-mile in 9:10-9:15–but I haven’t reached that yet,” White explained. “I also fell short of being county and regional champion in that event.”
More than just chasing times, White improved in race strategy and learning how to mentally bypass his competition.
“I’ve improved the most in racing tactics and figuring out how each of my main rivals thinks in races in order to beat them,” he said.
White will continue running at the collegiate level for University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), with long-term goals that go beyond medals.
“I want to push the limits that others place on me and be remembered not just as someone who is great, but someone whose ‘one of the greats.”
Senior Samuel Richards also had a breakthrough this season. He met his personal goals of breaking 4:50 in the 1600m (runnig a 4:46) and going under 2:05 in the 800m (finishing with 2:03). His progress came from extra training and focusing on speed endurance.
“I improved on my speed endurance a lot more during the season, and putting in extra work at practice allowed me to get to another level from where I was the previous seasons,” he said.
Looking at the team overall, he was proud–but also saw room for improvement.
“I feel that the team’s performance was decent, but I feel that some members don’t take track very seriously. If they did I believe that the team’s performance could’ve been better.”
What keeps him motivated is the sense of progress.
“Seeing how much I have grown and improved from where I first started keeps me motivated.”
As the season unfolded, Parkdale’s track success didn’t stop with its seniors; Junior Marcques Washington made a name for himself with a mindset focused on long-term success.
Washington entered the season aiming to improve personal race times from sophomore year, specifically targeting to sub-24 seconds in the 200-meter dash and under 57 seconds in the 400-meter dash.
“I did reach my goals and surprised myself with how early I was able to reach my 400 meter goal,” he said.
But success didn’t come without setbacks. Shin splints and hamstring issues made Washington realize how critical rest and body strength are for performance.
“Without a healthy amount of sleep each week my body couldn’t handle the amount of running I did, so I developed shin splints. I also learned how important weight training is because without a strong body and core I had hamstring issues. Both experiences are important to me because it was a learning opportunity that pushes me to be better the next year.”
Washington is driven by both self-improvement and competition.
All three runners highlighted the importance of goal-setting, consistency, and long-term effort, and they encourage younger athletes to stay committed through setbacks, take care of there bodies, and trust that real progress takes time. Whether it’s through pushing through discomfort, training beyond school hours, or staying focused on personal growth.
Meanwhile, in the throwing circle, Parkdale’s field athletes made history. The Shot-put and discus coach Cedric Basima, believes his group “raised the bar” for how Parkdale perceived in the throws.
“We broke the boys’ and girls’ shot-put records, extended the girls’ discus record, and came within inches of the boys discus mark–historical stuff that’s going to push the program for years,” Basima said.
Among the top throwers were seniors Amyah Jackson and Khalif Kashif. Jackson returned from a shoulder injury determined to end her final season on a high note–and she did.
“My personal goal this season was to PR and break a record–and I did,” she said.
But more than physical growth, Jackson focused on mental control. In past seasons, frustration over bad throws would throw her off, but this year, she learned to stay calm and composed under pressure.
“I use to let bad throws get the best of me. This season, the coaches got me use to messing up and still having to stay calm. If you didn’t stay calm, you were probably going to throw bad.”
Reflecting on the teams overall performance, Jackson said it was solid but emphasized the importance of stronger teamwork.
“There’s some people who can work on not being so selfish, and realizing that it’s a team sport. What you’re doing on the team benefits the team in general, not only you,” she said.
Kashif, known for his leadership and mentorship, also aimed to break the school’s discus record. Though he fell short, he saw major gains in his confidence as a thrower.
“My coach helped me understand the game so I could help the team,” Kashif said. “This year has been the best year for Parkdale’s throwing squad on the track team.”
As his highschool season came to a close, Kashif plans to continue throwing in college and staying active in the sport.
“My love for the sport keeps me pushing to get better.”
Both Jackson and Kashif emphasized the importance of staying calm under pressure, trusting your coaches, and sticking with the sport even when its hard–because the growth confidence, and memories are worth it. Their growth and leadership left a lasting mark on Parkdale’s throwing program.
Coach Basima summed up this season with one goal in mind: “We want to keep Parkdale’s name at the top of the county and state–always competing for medals, and continue to make history.”
Click through the images below to check out the track and field season. All photos courtesy of Coach Brian Moore.
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As the track season wrapped up with strong finishes and powerful throws, The tennis team was making it’s own kind of history on the courts. With a mix of new and returning players, the team delivered a season filled with growth, competition, and standout leadership.
According to Deborah Williams, Parkdale’s tennis coach, this season was one of the team’s best.
“The team’s overall performance was fantastic,” she said. “They made it to the county finals, and then to regionals, where both girls’ and boys’ doubles reached the finals. They fell short but it was still a great season.”
Williams also praises the efforts of all players–both new and returners–for their growth and dedication.
“Those who have never played tennis before did extremely well. They were able to step up and compete in matches. The returning players performed excellently, and the team really stuck together and enjoyed playing alongside one another.”
Reflecting on the seasons highlights, the coach shared that Parkdale played 15 matches in total, and won 10 of them.
“They grew together on and off the court,” coach Williams said.
Two standout players who helped lead that growth were senior girl’s captain Yasmin Lucero and senior boy’s captain Oscar Montufar. Both made a lasting impact on the team–not just through their matches, but through their leadership example.
Lucero, who played singles and led the team as captain for a second year, focused on building team spirit and motivating others.
“My personal goal this season was to get closer to the seniors and motivate the team overall, saying that tennis is about how much you work for it,” she said. “I’ve seen a great improvement in their dedication to improve in tennis.”
She credits the team’s positive energy and willingness to support one another as the seasons biggest strength.
“This year we had fewer players but it was a more vibrant season. Some players even practiced in the parking lot because we only have two courts. I have been in that position before, that’s why I would help teach the beginners the basics. I loved seeing them keep practicing on their own.”
As for her personal growth, Lucero said the coaches helped her relax during games and reflect on how she could improve. She plans to continue playing tennis at the club level in college, and her biggest motivation came from her teammates.
“Seeing my teammates working hard, I would also apply that to myself,” Lucero explained. “I want to be an example for them–to show that with hard work, you can get better.”
Montufar, who played singles and also served as the boy’s captain, brought determination to every match.
“My personal goal was to make it to states this year or atleast high in regionals.” he said. “Unfortunately, I didn’t make it, but I feel like I improved my serve the most this year.”
His coches helped him stay calm under pressure and refine his movement. While he doesn’t plan to continue in college, Montufar said he’ll keep playing for fun.
What kept him going?
“Being able to understand the sport more and seeing that progress in how I play on the court.”
Both Lucero and Montufar offered advice for newcomers joining the tennis team: take your time, stay patient, and be consistent. Lucero emphasized the importance of work ethic, time management, and showing up every day with focus.
Montufar encouraged players to master the basics before rushing into advanced techniques.
“Don’t rush into trying new things if you haven’t even mastered the fundamentals. Always be patient with your progress and you’ll do good,” he said.
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While Parkdales tennis team wrapped up a season of growth and determination, the baseball team brought its own energy to spring–highlighted by close games, standout performances, and a group of players committed to improving every step of the way.
One standout player on the baseball team this season was sophomore Hector Diaz, whose leadership and performance made a lasting impact. Diaz entered the season with three personal goals: to make All-County, hit two home runs, and keep his Earned Run Average (ERA), under three. While he didn’t quite reach his home run target, he earned All-County honorable mention and kept his ERA below three–accomplishments he’s proud of as he looks ahead to achieving even more next year.
“Sports are challenging not just physically, but mentally as well,” he said. “Pushing through those mental battles has helped me grow stronger and more resilient.”
He credits his coach for helping him improve not just on the field, but in mindset–reminding him that success isn’t about one person, but about playing as a team.
Fueled by the promises he’s made to loved ones and inspired by his mother’s daily hard work, Diaz says he’s determined to keep giving his all, and one day become “the greatest baseball player in Major League Baseball (MLB) history.”
For younger athletes, his message is simple: “Just be yourself and enjoy the journey.”
Click through the images below to check out the boys’ baseball season. All photos courtesy of Coach Brian Moore.
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As the baseball team celebrated a season of resilience and exceeded expectations, Parkdale’s softball team brought that same competitive spirit to the field. With a strong sense of teamwork and determination, the players showed growth and pride throughout their season.
Sophomore Nadahlia Miller reflected positively on the season, noting that her main goal was to simply have a good year–and by her account, the team delivered. Throughout the season, Nadahlia sharpened her pitching and catching skills, crediting her coaches for encouraging growth both on and off the field.
“They taught us that it is ok to lose and to not let mistakes get to your head–you can always make up for it,” Miller shared.
While she feels that her team performed well overall, she believes that there’s still room for growth and is already looking ahead to next season.
Motivated by a strong desire to win and support her teammates, Miller is considering continuing the sport in college. Her advice to future players? “Don’t put too much pressure on yourself–it’s okay to lose, Eventually you’ll have to learn that.”
Parkdale’s athletic director Brian Moore, has shown gratitude to this year’s spring sports teams.
“I feel that the spring sports did an excellent job. There was a lot of signature wins this year–which means we beat people that we weren’t supposed to. We also had a lot more participation in each of the sports which helped us to be more successful. Overall, I was proud about our spring sports this year.”
Click through the images below to check out the girls’ softball season. All photos courtesy of Coach Brian Moore.
