MORGANTOWN – There’s making some noise, and then there’s doing what Joaquin Summers is doing on the track in 2026.
The Morgantown High School junior has been a force on the track for his team during the 2026 season, and in recent weeks, has been on nothing short of a tear.
After a breakout summer following his freshman season at MHS, Summers has enjoyed a steady climb among the ranks of the state’s best runners.
His hard work has culminated in his junior season, earning him multiple entries in the MHS record books.
“I have to give credit to my coaches and teammates for always being there for me,” Summers said. “I feel that I’ve grown so much mentally this season, and in turn that has helped me become stronger physically on the track.”
In 2026, Summers set the school record in the 800 and 1600-meter races and helped the MHS 4×400 relay team to a school record as well.
All three records were set during the OVAC 5A qualifying meet. Summers bested the 1600-meter record of 4:17.52 set by Don DeCarlo in 1986 with a time of 4:16.15.
“I just went for it,” he said. “I didn’t have anyone to pace off that day, I just tried to run my best race possible. That was a 40-year record, and it’s still crazy to think about beating it. I’m hoping to improve even more in the 1600.”
He ran 1:54.62 in the 800-meter race, then bested that time over the weekend at the championship meet, running 1:53.64 and capturing the OVAC title in the event.
He was also a crucial member of the record-setting 4×400-meter relay team, finishing in 3:25.47 at the OVAC qualifiers.
Summers says his success now is in part due to his early experience competing for MHS as a freshman and sophomore.
“Competing as a freshman is definitely paying off now,” he said. “When you show up to some of the bigger meets like the ones we have down the stretch of the season, it can be daunting for a younger athlete to face. I’m fortunate I was able to have the exposure early on and get used to the environment of competition.”
