Photo by John Herzog
Fifth interview of the "Reliving State Championship Glory" series this week with 2004 Group AAA state champion Michael Chapa of J.R. Tucker. The conditions were not ideal in the 2004 state meet at Great Meadow, but it did not deter Chapa from being the only runner on the day to dip under 16 minutes. Chapa's road to a state championship was far more difficult than the average state champion as a refugee from war-torn Sudan. However, becoming a Virginia state champion was arguably more appreciated by Chapa than possibly others native born and a proud moment for the former Tucker star.