Friday the 13th Wasn't Unlucky for Fort Lee Track Star

On Friday May 13th, the Big North Division Championship took place at River Dell High School. On that same night, senior prom would also take place, and a great feat was accomplished defying the thought process that Friday the 13th is an unlucky day.

Senior captain Nancie Sophias became the league champion in the 800 meter run on the afternoon and early evening of her Senior Prom. The whole day was filled with nerves and excitement for the senior.

“I remember second period during school, my stomach was filled with butterflies, Sophias recalled. I was nervous about Leagues, but the fact that prom was the same day really got me worried. However, once I was on the bus to head to the meet, I pretended that there was no prom and I only focused on the race ahead. The team arrived, we did a warm-up together, some drills, and just hung out while we waited for the meet to begin. Just talking to the team made me feel more relaxed and ready for my race. I was at the meet since 2 pm and my race began at 7 pm. My race was the 800, which happened to be the 3rd to last event.”

 The nerves started to kick in again for Sophias as her race was approaching. Sophias was neck and neck with a runner from Westwood and she remembers exactly what was going through her mind as the race was almost over all the way to the hair salon.

“With only 100 meters to go, I picked up my speed and finished the race as first place. I was very happy at my accomplishment of 1st Team All-League that prom did not even cross my mind. It wasn't until my coach congratulated me and said with a smile, “Now go to prom!” I grabbed all my things and did my cool-down run to my car. While my parents drove to the hair salon, I cleaned my face with wipes. Earlier the week I made an appointment at a hair salon that was just two minutes away from Riverdell High School. At the hair salon, I changed into my dress, put on my heels and jewelry and got my hair done as well as make-up. I then rushed out of the salon and headed to the prom.”

Head Coach Demba Mane was extremely impressed with Sophias’ commitment and remembers how exciting and nerve-racking the whole experience was for not just Sophias.

“The day was full of excitement and anticipation of whether she was going to get the league title and at times you really couldn't tell who was more nervous her or me," said Mane. "She was putting on hold her prom which is a very memorable night and if she didn't finish anywhere near the top it was going to set the mood for the rest of that night.”

Mane knows how difficult a situation like that can be for a girl on the day of her senior prom with so much pressure, and to win the league title makes it even more incredible.

“The fact that she put her prom on hold shows a lot of commitment, responsibility and determination," said Mane. "You don't come across a lot of kids like that and I feel really lucky to have had the chance to coach such an exceptional athlete.”

The hectic atmosphere and butterflies all proved to be worth it and it created memories that Sophias will not soon forget.

“All the rushing was worth it," said Sophias. "Prom was great. I was already so happy about my race earlier that I was in the mood to dance the whole night. The only negative about missing the beginning of prom was that I didn’t get too many pictures with all my friends, but I guess pictures can never truly capture memories anyway.”

The race came and went and so did the prom, but it was a great day and night for Nancie Sophias.