History in the Making: Tandem Middle School Track and Field is Here!

Dave Levy, Athletic Director
With his legs exploding off the track and his arms pumping, Gabriel separated himself from the field. With CCA, CCS, Henley and Valley Blaze doing everything they could to chase him down, Gabriel kept his edge and broke the tape in victorious fashion! His time of 14.43 in the Boys 100 Meters marks the first ever Tandem MS gold medal! After all, today was Tandem's inaugural Middle School Track and Field season!
 
As Coach Julia put it: "You made history today. In our 55 years as a school, you are the first middle school team to run under the banner of Tandem at a Track and Field meet. Our 14 debut runners competed in 13 different events with only 3 days of practice under their belts... you learned how to finish strong, and be there for one another."
Way back in November of 2025, after Coach Julia led the Badgers to an incredible Middle School Cross Country season in the fall, she started a very popular and well-attended running club in the winter. The next logical step in the journey? Middle School Track and Field! Joined by Coaches Ashley and Melanie, the squad has been working on their speed, endurance, flexibility and strength - preparing for these young athletes to bring their best this afternoon at the Henley Invitational at Western Ablemarle High School!
 
Making her debut with a splash, Fay boldly signed up for the 3200 meters! The first Badger on the track, Fay's effort today set the tone for our team! Undeterred by the challenging eight lap, two mile race, Fay flew off the line, settling in among her competition. She came through the line in a split of 1:33, blazing fast, and finished the first mile in a speedy 7:57. With even splits, Fay continued to zone in at 8:00 pace - very strong for middle school (especially in your first-ever race) and finished in 3rd place with a new PR time of 16:52!
 
Inspired by our Varsity State Champion Cross Country team, Fay and the Middle School Distance Badgers had an excellent day! Eleanor ran a smart and competitive 800 meter race, constantly moving up, and finished with a massive final kick, narrowly edging out an opposing runner at the line! Her time of 3:27 is a new PR! Later on, Clyde and James worked together in the 1600 meters - pushing one another to new PR times of 7:15 and 7:18 respectively!
 
Running side by side in their heat of the 100 meters, Cora (17.6 seconds), Aggie (18.5) and Sage (18.8) all made their debut in the sprints! There was little rest for the weary: Sage (40.5 seconds) joined Ellie (34.1 seconds) and  Fay (37.9 seconds) competed in the 200 meters as well! As if that was not enough, they also teamed up with Eleanor, Aggie, Cora and Ellie for an exciting 4x100 meter relay - with excellent baton passes - finishing in a speedy new PR of 1:10 - 4th place!
 
On the boys side, the aforementioned Gabriel won his heat of the 100 meters in 14.43! Hot on his tail was Isaiah, in a time of 15.5, finishing second in his heat - he moved up several places in the final 30 meters! Kai, using a big time start, ran 17.1 seconds for his new PR! The Badger sprinters went straight from the finish line to the check in table - and then over to the 200 meter start! Gabriel hit that curve hard - moving up from 5th to 2nd - and taking silver in his heat in a time of 30.8 seconds! Robert, making his debut in the event (only moments after his 400), flew through the line in a time of 33.9 seconds, while Kai finished in 36.1! Isaiah, James, Gabriel and William also worked together in an exciting 4x100 meter relay - they finished 2nd overall with a lightning quick time of 1:02.8!
 
Our Badger sprinters were busy today - Andrew also ran the 400 meters - finishing in 1:15 - earning him 2nd place and a new PR! Robert also finished second in his heat; his time of 1:18 is a blazing fast new PR as well!  
 
Both athletes returned to the track one more time - for the most exciting event in Track and Field! Running as the lead leg, Robert ran ANOTHER 1:18 to get Tandem started in the 4x400 meter relay! Taking the baton in a great position, Andrew kept the pace, running 1:22 and setting up Gabriel for a massive third leg. Gabriel was fifty meters behind his competition, and came flying around the final curve - passing CCS in the home stretch! His leg of 1:12 was lightning fast, and he gave the baton to William to bring it home! As William crossed the line in a time of 5:01 - the Middle School Boys 4x400 set a new PR! Congratulations to this awesome relay team!
 
Robert also made his debut in the throwing circle, launching the Shot Put 16'6" and earning 5th place! Leaping into the sand, William and Andrew both made their long jump debut as well! William flew through the air over eleven feet - 11'6" to be exact - while Andrew earned a new PR of 9'11.25"!
 
Congratulations to our Tandem Middle School Track and Field team - giving it their absolute all - as they competed this afternoon! The Badgers did a fine job, making their presence felt among a very talented field! What a way to start the season! The action will continue on Tuesday, April 14 (if not before - we're still adding to the schedule) at the Inaugural Tandem Middle School Track and Field "Dash on the Grass," which will be held on our Varsity Field. Looking forward to it!
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Tandem Friends School is a co-ed Quaker day school for grades 5-12 in Charlottesville, Virginia.
 
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