Malcolm X Shabazz High School Boys Track Team Finishes Season As National Champions

NEW YORK CITY – You might want to call them the Fantastic Four of the Malcolm X Shabazz High School’s Boys Indoor Track Team.

Throughout the winter indoor track season, the relay team of David Edokpolor, Khalid Raheem, Michael Odins, and Justin Parris have posted dazzling times in the 4x400-meter relay. They won the Essex County Individual Championships and broke the meet record previously held by St. Benedict’s Prep on January 26th at Ocean Breeze in Staten Island. They took first place in the Millrose Games in early February, first place in the North 2 Group 2 state sectionals in Toms River on February 15th and won the Super Essex County Conference championship at Ocean Breeze on February 26th.

And now, they are national champions.

In the Nike Indoor Nationals last weekend – a meet that draws the best runners from throughout the United States – the four-man relay team posted a time of 3:19:05 to take first place in the 400-meter and win the national championship.

For Shabazz Track Head Coach Hassan N. Wilson, it was a perfect end to a long season in which his runners battled fatigue and illness but remained competitive.

“The best part about it was, through a lot of the ups and downs, the guys persevered,” said Wilson, who is in his third year of coaching after coming to Shabazz from St. Benedict’s Prep. “We train really hard but smart and with purpose. Our runners’ ability to accept the challenge of the training allowed us to continue to improve.”

That training is a unique combination of physical endurance training and psychological strength training. In addition to his runners’ resilience, Shabazz credits his assistant coaches – Isaiah Sanchez, Anthony Smith, and Victor Sanchez – with the success of the winter season.

Superintendent León and Board of Education President Hasani K. Council congratulated the team.

“We are incredibly proud of David Edokpolor, Khalid Raheem, Michael Odins, and Justin Parris for their remarkable achievement on the national stage,” said Superintendent León. “Their perseverance throughout the season, despite challenges, is a reflection of the resilience we strive to instill in all our students. This victory not only brings national recognition to Malcolm X Shabazz High School but also inspires the entire city of Newark.”

“This national championship win is an amazing accomplishment for the Malcolm X Shabazz High School Boys Indoor Track Team, and we could not be more proud,” said President Council. “Their hard work, determination, and teamwork lead to greatness, and the incredible coaching staff, led by Coach Wilson, guided and prepared them for this moment. This victory is not just for Shabazz—it is a proud moment for the entire Newark Public Schools community.”