The state of Virginia had a strong first day at the Taco Bell Classic based on early reports out of Columbia, South Carolina. Brookville’s Ethan Nixon and Deep Creek’s Ashley Gatling swept the high jump for the state as Gatling cleared 5’10” for the first time since her freshmen year, while Nixon went over the bar at 6’8” for his first time ever. Meanwhile, Rachel Butler of Lee-Davis improved her 200 meter best by nearly a full second with a 24.75 clocking in the 200 meter prelims to lead 3 Virginians into Saturday’s finals.
The high jump competition was contested on Friday for both boys and girls and saw Virginians Ethan Nixon of Brookville at 6’8” and Ashley Gatling of Deep Creek at 5’10” each take first with personal best clearances. For Gatling, a consistent performer at 5’8” over the past few years, it was the first time that she had cleared 5’10” since her freshmen year of outdoor track. A possible sign for Gatling in getting over the hump as she was a national runner-up ...