CHESTERFIELD, VA -- The 2001 Manchester Relays was the beginning of what looks to be a promising year for the track teams and athletes in the Central Virginia area, in particular the AAA Central Region. The meet was a good opener for athletes at all levels of talent with varsity, junior varsity, middle school, and even CO-ED events.
The Manchester Relays also marked the return of Midlothian distance star Austin Smith who decided to skip the indoor season and train instead. Smith was arguebably the third best distance runner in the state in XC for much of the season before suffering a knee injury that hampered him towards the end of the season. Smith is running well now however. With his reported 1:55 anchor leg, he helped his 4x800 squad to a win with their time of 8:11.39.