Best friends,A'shanti Epps and Destane Stokes walk the halls of Western High School(all female) in Baltimore,MD as the talk of the school. Are they the talk because A'shanti won prom princess, or is it because Destane is a fashion diva? Though both girls are popular and doing extremely well academically-both with B+ averages-, they are more so the talk of the school because of their extreme talent as part of Westerns track and field program. Stokes and Epps, who turn 17 just one day after each other, Stokes on June 13,Epps on June 14, plan to continue on to track and field in college. A'shanti, who spent her 1st year in the track and field program,is the 2nd fastest hurdler on the Westerns Dove team, Stokes being the fastest. A'shanti is the 3rd fastest on the Dove's team. Unlike Epps, Stokes has been running for 11years and also runs for Baltimore City track and field. Both girls run on the same 4x1 and 4x2 relay,in addition Stokes also run the 4x4. A'shanti also made the hurdle finals in the 2nd outdoor "Pikesville" invitational of the season.
Statistics(both sprinters):
A'shanti Epps 200 Meter dash: 26.01
300 Meter dash: 42.00
55 Meter hurdles: 13.02
Destane Stokes 100 Meter dash: 12.49
200 Meter dash: 25.74
300 Meter dash: 41.97
55 Meter hurdles: 10.61
55 Meter dash: 7.42
After high school A'shanti plans to attend either FAMU,Bethune-Cookman or Howard University and major in Criminology and Forensics science. She also plans on participating in track and field and possibly softball, depending on how her senior year at Western High school spring sports season go.
Destane plans to attend FSU(Flordia State University) or Howard University and major in interior design. Stokes also plans to continue running and participating in track and field in college.
Best friends who share everything from fashion tips to what time to meet in the weight room, have been blessed with a talent and I wish both these young woman the best on their future endeavors.
