The Jamestown boys track team finished the 2007-2008 indoor campaign with a 5th place finish at the AA State championships, a fine finish for most teams, but short of what the Eagles had expected. According to Coach Howard Townsend, “we might have peaked at regionals.” In response, Coach Townsend decided that it would be best to step back and reevaluate the team’s training. Jamestown skipped the national meets, choosing instead to focus on the outdoor season, and another chance for a state title.
Townsend’s strategy appears to be working. At day one of the Conn-Madden Invitational, the 4x1600 foursome decimated the competition with an 18:28 clocking. Although there was disappointment from missing the meet record by .23 seconds, the team was determined to continue performing well. In today’s distance medley, the Eagle quartet of Jake Morgan (800), Marquis Greenhow (400), Colin Mearns (1200) and Andrew Colley (1600 – 4:28) easily beat the field with a time of 11:02.30, helping to propel the team to the “B” division team title, outdistancing rival and runner-up Lafayette by a score of 75.5 – 64.5. Pole-vaulter Nick Durante was the other Eagle winner, with a leap of 12’6” in the event.
The Lady Eagles almost made it a sweep for Jamestown, but the Norfolk Academy squad, led by first place finishes in the 4x800 (10:47.67), distance medley (13:47.44), and pole vault (Rebecca Karp at 8-6) eked out a 60-59 victory for the team title.
In the “A” division, the Highlanders of McLean made the trip from Fairfax County worthwhile, edging out local hopefuls Booker T. Washington and Hampton, tallying 51 points en route to victory. McLean scored two victories on Friday, in the 4x1600 and 4x110 shuttle hurdle relay, and added a distance medley win on Saturday. The Booker T. girls won the “A” division while making a strong statement in the meet’s last event as Raven Wilson, DeShana Briggs, Sonseerhay Copeland, and Tyleshia Miles blasted the field for a win in the 4x400. Their time of 3:58.67 was very impressive for a cold (temperature in the mid 40’s for the whole day), blustery day in late March. Bethel (38) and McLean (37) rounded out the top three teams.
Despite the cold conditions on Saturday, there were other noteworthy performances. The most surprising may have been the 6’4” high jump (part of Woodside’s winning 12-0 relay) from Woodside’s Chris Burton. Burton was lured to track soon after basketball season, and in his first high jump competition ever, at last Tuesday’s dual meet against Gloucester, the sophomore cleared 6’5”. In a true understatement, assistant coach Butch Gordon calls Burton “an unbelievable find.” Chris Copeland of Lakeland is currently ruling the high jump roost in Virginia with his passing of the seven-foot barrier, but the future of Virginia high jumping may be currently competing in Air Jordan’s. The Wolverine foursome of Carl Vance, Chris Willis, DeAndre Simmons, and sophomore Brandon Burton (1:57.75 in the 800 as a freshman) won the “A” sprint medley with a time of 3:38.87.
York’s sprinting sensation Sherelle White also looked impressive in anchoring the Lady Falcons to wins in the 4x100 (50.61 for the fastest time in either division) and 4x400. White also ran a 200 leg on the winning sprint medley team. The junior won the 55 at last month’s AA indoor championships and was recently named the female track athlete of the year by the Peninsula’s DAILY PRESS. White, called a “super kid and a great student” by coach Jeff MacGuinness, is quickly making a name for herself within Hampton Roads track circles.
Tabb also looked strong with eight individual and relay winners. On the boys side, the Tigers took first in the 4x100, 4x200, 4x400, sprint medley and discus (233’-05”). The girls team earned gold in the 2x300 hurdles, high jump and long jump relays.
Denbigh’s girls won two gold medals. In the sprint medley, Chaneka Perry, Keona Langford, Jayisha Coney, and Jasmine Cobbs combined for a 4:26.73 win, while the shot put tandem of Brandy Peat and Tamara Tillman won with throws totaling 64’-1.5”. On the boys side, Jacob Jones (11-6 in the pole vault) and the boys discus duo were also winners.
J.R. Tucker’s Chris Kourlesis and Quran Page teamed up for a 41-1 win in the boys long jump. The 4x100 “A” races were both won by Peninsula district teams. Hampton won the boys race with a 43.91, while the Lady Phantoms of Phoebus took first in 50.65. Hampton’s girls won the “A” distance medley with a time of 13:30.76. Lake Taylor (1:27.38) and Menchville (1:36.74) won the 2x300 hurdles in the boys and girls “A” divisions. Menchville’s girls won the “A” 4x800 in 10:38.99, while Woodside (8:33.60) and St. Christopher’s (8:29.81) won the “A” and “B” events. Lafayette’s boys won the “B” shot put relay with a strong 88’-11.5” effort.