Though XC practices have now officially started and the season is coming quickly, meaning we are very busy... there is no better time to take a break and learn then during Shark Week! MileStat took this to heart and researched differnt types of sharks and we have compared them to athletes we feel most exemplify their characteristics here. Who is the hammerhead? The Great White? or the Mako? Check it all out here.
Great White Shark: Caroline Alcorta
The Great White Shark is the most well known and feared shark there is in the animal kingdom. The Great White is just sherely bigger, stronger, and faster then almost any shark in the world... it just has a competitive disadvantage over the field. It will travel long distances and is completely able to live on its own. Though it is so famous and dangerous, it is still slightly mysterious. Of the athletes that ran last year the one that portrays this ability to not only be a team player but to go long distances by herself is Caroline Alcorta. Caroline was practically unstoppable this year and last year in the state of Virginia. She showed just how a runner can use their ability to dominate the sport and garner all the attention but humbly still remain victorious. Caroline, just as a Great White, occassionally worked with her teammates in impressive fashion to anchor her teammates to four straight major distance medley titles (3x National Champions, 1x Penn Relays). Even when facing tough competition the entire field knew who would win and she knew it as well.
Tiger Shark: Mustaqeem Williams
One of the most agile and dangerous sharks in the water is the tiger shark. He is built for battle and skilled in many different areas... he could almost beat any other shark in any other area but his truley killer trait is his speed. The Tiger Shark can get up to scary speeds quickly when he wants to. This shark exemplifies one of the greatest sprinters the state has ever seen, Mustaqeem Williams. Williams will go down in history as the fastest Virginia sprinter to ever run in the state. He holds the state record in the 100 and 200 and many think could be the best triple jumper in the nation as well. He has gone over 47 feet with both legs! If anyone saw him run the 55m you know exactly what we are talking about. He has the upper body of a running back and the sprinting form/speed of an Olympic runner. That combination makes him one of the scariest athletes to compete against, you really better be prepared when you get in the water with him.
Hammerhead Shark: Grant Holloway
So what if this shark is known for his wierd head? We aren't suggesting Grant has a wierd head or anything but he is definitely the athlete we think of when we think of when talking about Hammerhead Sharks and their characteristics. Hammerheads are fast, can jump, but most characteristically move environments during the different seasons. This exemplifies what Grant does as well. Though many other athletes do the same thing, few athletes compete at such a high level in multiple sports like Grant does in Football and Track. Grant is arguably one of the best 55m hurdlers ever (sophomore national record holder this past indoor season) and also one of the best football players in the state. Though he switches environments as the seasons change, he always finds a way to show why he is at the top of the food chain as he wins in nearly every event and sport he competes in.
Though these sharks are very dangerous by themselves they congregate for feeding and attacks. They are not only known for their speed and agility but also their superb jumping ability, being able to leap 20 feet. These characteristics are all in line with Milan Parks and her Western Branch teammates. Milan is a 20 foot long jumper, one of the best the state has ever seen, and a formiddable athlete/sprinter by herself. Despite all those skills and ability, when she pairs up with her Bruin teammates who always favor a group attack at states instead of winning all the individual events things can get messy really quick. This past outdoor season it almost looked like you unleashed sharks on the 6A competition when the Western Branch girls ran away with the team title by nearly 100 points.
Coolest Dorsal Fin (Mohawks)
Though scientifically speaking the dorsal fin is mainly used for stability whilst swimming and attacking, let's be honest the real thing should be is intimidation and to get the shark pumped for a big attack. Now of course with that description, the thing most alike that is the infamous mohawk haircut many athletes get right before a major competition. These haircuts standout but also let the competition know they mean business. Here are our favorite two mohawks from recent years.
The first is that of Joshua Pearson (Bassett 2016) who was the state champion in 100 and 200 this outdoor season. He also won the emerging elite 100m dash in an impressive 10.58 as only a sophomore. With that type of speed he could definitely chase the state record in coming years. If those times are not intimidating enough then just take a look at his hair style from states this year. Coincidence?
Though Pearson may have a stellar mohawk, arguably the greatest our state has ever seen is Marlena Wesh's. Marlena was a national champion and numerous state champion as well. She has gone down as one of the fastest sprinters the state has ever seen. She is in the top 10 in both the 100 and 200m dashes all-time in the state and was also the anchor for some of the fastest relays ever in the state.
Photos aquired via: Google Images.