“The Bubble” is an indoor track in Toms River, NJ that almost every runner has come to dread. From the awful lighting to the” bubble cough” everyone gets after being inside the giant pressurized facility, it is not a team favorite. However, despite all these hardships, Brady Dumas, Bradyn Curilla, Nick Micklewright, and Noah Scheets celebrated Sunday night with a victory. 

With Nick Micklewright having just finished racing the 55m and setting a new personal record, he started the 4x400m race and finished with a time of 54 seconds. He had an incredible beginning and successfully positioned the team in the race. He then handed the baton off to the next runner, Bradyn Curilla who completed his race in 55 seconds. Curilla has raced for Shawnee for the past three years, and even though his 2022 spring season was cut short due to a serious knee injury, he ran — and kept Shawnee ahead of the game. The next leg in the relay was Brady Dumas. This is his second indoor track season and he has been working very hard on accomplishing his 400m times. Lastly, Noah Scheets anchored the race. This is Noah’s first indoor track season, and under the stress of the anchor, he exceeded all expectations and carried Shawnee to the final finish line of the 4×4 with an incredible time of 55 seconds. 

Overall the boys got 3:44.64 and placed sixth in Group 3 schools. This was an unforgettable race that had everyone on their feet and cheering. These four athletes are now excited and advancing to compete in States at the Bubble on February 18th.