It had been a dream spring junior year for Patrick Henry's Lizzie Powell. Powell had risen to become one of the state's top vaulter with clearances consistently over 12 feet including a state best of 12'7" and state meet record victory of 12'3" to win her first title at the VHSL Group AAA Outdoor State Championships in Newport News. She was taken to her high school prom by the AAA state champion boys' pole vaulter, Deep Run senior Matthew Armentrout. She was just about to celebrate her 17th birthday on Wednesday when on Monday she discovered a lump on her neck in class on Monday morning. Her father, who happens to also be a doctor at St. Mary's Hospital in Henrico County, had her checked out at the hospital on Tuesday and the worst news was revealed on her birthday...she has lymphoma, a form of cancer. Despite learning of the sad news, Powell is in good spirits as the doctors have told her its highly treatable and cureable.
Powell was slated to compete in this past weekend's MileStat.com Elite Track Gala, but instead was present as a spectator to cheer on her fellow club vaulter teammates under coach Val Osipenko. When the top six finishers from the meet were announced and presented their medals, event champion and club teammate Kate Collins of Nelson County gave Powell her first place medal and had her step up onto the podium with her. For virtually all of the spectators, they were unaware of why the girl in street clothes was on the podium, but the meet director presenting the awards was well aware of what was happening at that moment and was strongly touched by the show of camraderie and support that Collins was giving her fellow teammate and friend facing her toughest test up ahead.
Any thoughts and prayers from the Virginia high school track & field community would be appreciated by Lizzie and the Powell family in these trying times for them. For all those who know Lizzie and her family, they are truly great people to be around and deserve our support!