Banneker student athletes have definitely impressed this season. This semester, we saw a lot growth from the sports programs.

Coming straight into sophomore year as a starter for the basketball team, Jeremiah Shelton’s mission was to help Banneker reach a championship before he left. While Shelton is still in process of meeting his goal, he has sure made a name for himself in the area. While also being on the track and field team, this senior is quite the athlete. The 2022 MVP has made the DMV elite team in back to back years and the DCSAA 1st Team in 2022.

This multi-sport athlete can do it all. With track being his main sport, Yohanes Alemayehu has also played soccer and basketball during his tenure at Banneker. Being part of the record breaking track and field team, the 2023 MVP is a two-time 3200 meter city champion, has won 1st team DCIAA All League and was awarded 3rd place in the PUMA Invitational 4×800. This season, Alemayehu tends to continue his strong run.

Mekal Mohamed-Saleck has been a Banneker athlete since he first arrived to Banneker. Since his sophomore year Mohamed-Saleck has been committed to Banneker athletics, not only in soccer but by also being the Boys Varsity Basketball manager and the Girls Varsity Flag Football manager. He is a college-bound athlete and takes a role in soccer outside of Banneker. In his sophomore season, Mohamed-Saleck won most improved player.

Marianela Rivas and Eleny Nava Pineda have been Banneker athletes since their sophomore year. They have been committed to Banneker’s soccer programs and have led the team into playoffs for the past three years. Pineda is a multi-sport athlete, playing soccer and flag football. This 2023-2024 school year, she will be the captain of the girls Varsity Flag football team. Last year, she helped lead them into an undefeated regular season, all the way into semi-finals. She has also won multiple awards, such as MVP in soccer (10th grade year), DCIAA All League Award (11th grade year), and Team Player (11th grade year).