Several big names started off their 2006-2007 indoor track season with big performances this past Saturday across the state with several meets being held. In a good sign for Virginia high school track and field and the improving number of quality 200 meter indoor track facilities being built over recent years, there were five meets held this past weekend on 200 meter surfaces.
Sean Holston of Robert E. Lee is the top returning sprinter in the state after winning the 300 meter state title in AAA last March and did not disappoint pre-season expectations by clocking a 6.43 55 meter dash time at George Mason. Rachel Butler of Lee-Davis and April Sinkler of Brooke Point are returning All-American track performers with great versatility in many events to rack up points. Both were in action this past Saturday with Butler winning the 55 meter hurdles and triple jump at the CNU Winter Frolic, while Sinkler swept all three jumping events at George Mason. Several top distance runners did not waste time coming off a long cross country season to post fast times in early December with defending AAA 3200 meter indoor state champion Sarrah Hadiji running an indoor PR of 11:01 on the same track in which she won her state championship in the event last March. Great cross country teams usually showcase their depth in numbers during track season as shown with the AA state cross country champion Blacksburg girls putting three girls under 5:20 at Liberty and the AAA state cross country runners-up Lake Braddock girls having three 4x800 meter relays in the top six at CNU with a 9:49 winner from their \"A\" team.
MileStat.com will be getting started with its on-site coverage schedule Tuesday at Fork Union with the Hardy Invitational. The meet starts at 5 pm. Then Saturday...its off to Lynchburg for the Wally Gilbert Invitational held at Liberty University\'s Tolsma Track Center.