The 4th Title In A Row Is Always The Hardest


Winning one state title is tough, winning four in a row is nearly impossible. It is so hard in fact that only four individuals have ever achieved that mark. This season though, in the 500, EJ Richardson could make it four in a  row. 

EJ Richardson was an overnight celebrity from day one in track. Even when he was competing as a freshman at States with the likes of Noah Lyles and Grant Holloway, he was the star of the state meet. He set the freshman national record in the 500 and closed out the meet with a monster walk down in the 4x4. 

Watch his 4x4 comebacks: 2016 - 2017 - 2018 

Since then he has repeated that trend by winning both the 4x4 and 500 titles as a sophomore and junior. This year though could be the hardest one yet. He will have to face off with L.C. Bird and Highland Springs in both races. 

If he is to win, he would join just Mike Newell (Potomac Senior) as the only other guy to win an even four times in a row. Mike achieved this in the long jump from 96-99 and finished his career as the state record holder from 99 until 2016. He jumped 25-9. 

On the girls' side there have been three to achieve this. Catherine Birge (Lake Braddock) was the first and did so in the 500 from 83-86. She was followed by Olympic Gold Medalist Francena McCorory (Bethel) who won the 300 from 2003-06. Most recently Libby Davidson won the 1600 and 3200 from 2014-17.