Long Beach Poly TC (CA)

Team Website / NTN Profile

Top Athletes: Tara Richmond (high jump), Akawkaw Ndipagbor (sprints), Melia Cox (hurdles), Carisma Lyday (sprints), Arielle Stevenson (distances), Traci Hicks (jumps), Latasha Johnson (throws) and Dynasty Gammage (distances).

Team Strengths: Long Beach Poly TC enters Nike Track Nationals not only ranked US#1, but having years of amazing tradition on their side.  One of the premier powerhouse track and field program, LBP will look to win the inaugural national team championship.  Led by the quartet of Tara Richmond (high jump), Akawkaw Ndipagbor (400m), Carisma Lyday (100m) and Melia Cox (100m hurdles), this squad has four athletes capable of winning their respective events.

Key to Success: While their big four of Richmond, Ndipagbor, Lyday and Cox lead the way, Long Beach Poly’s success comes down to how well can thrower Latasha Johnson place in the shot put and discus, and can 800m standout Arielle Stevenson push to lower her event PR even more.  Both athletes can score some big points for their team, and really push them over the top.

Q&A with Coach Don Norford and Assistant Coach Crystal Irving

NTN: You are headed to Nike Track Nationals as the top-ranked squad in the U.S. What is the team's focus like heading into NTN on July 2?

Long Beach Poly (LBP): Long Beach Poly Team focus has been all along to always perform at their best and to put forth every effort to be a complete physically, mentally, and spiritually.

NTN: Long Beach Poly has long been considered the top track and field program in the United States.  How have you been able to create such a program and sustain it at such a high level for so long?

LBP: As a program we have a lot of tradition as a school academically and athletically. With good community support, we have always tried to keep the athletes that come through Poly well grounded and focus on getting the most out of their talent, which has helped us to be successful and competitive.

NTN: The squad in very diverse, showing strength across the spectrum of events.  Is it a goal of yours every year to build a program that is not only strong in the sprints, but also in all the other areas of track and field?

LBP: It has been our goal to be very diverse on the track in order to have a chance to win championships as a team. The variety of events is important and an amazing bonus when kids can become successful as individuals that prepares them and the team for the next level such as college.

NTN: How is the team looking heading into next weekend?

LBP: The team is looking strong after coming off a full season. The girls are looking forward to challenging themselves to compete at this year’s Nike Nationals.

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