The Academy at Palumbo wrestling team had three individuals win their weight class at the Public League Championships at Northeast High School on Feb. 7.
The Griffins had seven finalists and finished third in team scoring (182.5 points) behind Central High School (229) and Northeast (185).
Palumbo’s Prince Culpepper won by a 14-10 decision at 152 pounds over Mekhrzod Iusufi of Abraham Lincoln; lyas Benamara won by tech fall in the second period of the 172-pound championship over Donte Bazemore of Central; Hezekiah Womack won a 4-2 decision over Nazim Ibragimov of George Washington at 189 pounds.
Kyle Phouansouvanh (107), Aiden Shaw (121), Kevin Vu (160) and William Riley (215) all took home second place. Robert Randolph (114) and Benjamin Anderson (127) both won their third-place consolation match for the Griffins.
Indoor Track
The Academy at Palumbo indoor track team had a great day at the Public League Championships at the Jane and David Ott Center on Feb. 8, led by Taiylor Johnson, who struck gold in two events.
Johnson won the long jump (16-2.75) and the triple jump (34-1.5) to reach the top of the podium on two separate trips. The Griffins’ 4×200 relay team also captured first place. Notable performances included Zeinab Doumbia, who took second place in the 400-meter run and third place in the 200-meter dash, just behind teammate Daijah Lopez, who took second in the 200. Destiny Lopez won bronze in the shot put.
On the boys side, Julius Pommells won the high jump at 6-0 and Jaye Mack took first in the long jump at 21-3.5. The Griffins had four bronze medalists in Nathan Prasetyo (60-meter hurdles), Bertrand Arifin (high jump), Jayden McCall (triple jump) and Mark Hopewell (shot put).