Aniah Ross missed her junior season of track and field with illness, but she’s making up for lost time as a senior.

The Huguenot High sprinter has helped give the Falcons a region title in the 4x100 relay, and the best may be yet to come.

The State Class 4 meet will be May 31 and June 1 at Liberty University in Lynchburg.

After taking sixth in the open 100 at the Class 4, Region B meet May 22 at King George, Ross saved some energy for a relay to remember.

The fleet foursome of J’miaya Muse to Ross to Ama Cousins to Kanaan Banks took the baton to the bank, crossing the finish line in 49.74, just ahead of runner-up King George.

The Falcons shook off 91-degree heat to get what they were after.

“A lot of work went into this,’ said Falcons Coach Kyle Fuller. “I’m ecstatic. I’m excited. But I’m not surprised. These are great kids.”

Ross enjoyed a strong sophomore season under Coach Fuller but was unable to compete a year ago.

“It started with a seizure at a cross-country meet and a trip to the ER; then she was in and out of the hospital after that,” Coach Fuller said.

“Coming back out as a senior is a testament to her character. She had not run for a year and a half starting this season.”

Ross and Muse will continue running next school year at Richard Bland Junior College near Petersburg while Cousins will continue racing for Radford University.

Banks is the lone junior among the region champs.

Track and field is a hard sell at Huguenot and at many inner-city schools nowadays. Coach Fuller’s spring roster included about 20 girls and just five boys.

In the case of the girls, it was quality over quantity this season and a state championship would be the crowning touch.

“I have no doubt,” Fuller said, “we can handle anything in 4A.”