A newly resurfaced track at the Estes Athletic Center definitely had a positive effect on the performances at the 2008 FUMA Invitational held at Fork Union Military Academy. The return of spikes being allowed also helped with a packed house of 43 teams bringing in many of the state's top athletes.
Photo by David Fleenor
Nansemond River competed in two meets this weekend with CNU on Friday and FUMA on Saturday. The team was well represented in the sprints and jump at the Estes Center with Tanay Chandler winning the girls 55 (7.21) and 300 (42.91) meter dashes, while Kelvin Griffin cleared 6'4" in the high jump and leaped 22'4" in the long jump to take both events.
Photo by David Fleenor
The pole vault saw some high flying action with Kate Collins of Nelson County clearing a VA #11 all-time height of 11'1", while E.C. Glass senior Daniel Inge clearing 14'7" makes him the lone state leader in the event and #25 all-time in state history.
Photo by David Fleenor
Despite having individual winners in the 55 and 300 meter dash, Nansemond River boys fell just short of a team title by 11 points to Western Albemarle. Western's Tyler Stutzman rolled out one of the fastest 1600 meter times ever at the Estes Center in a 4:20.80 win leading four under 4:30 on the 160 meter flat track, while Kyle Satterwhite (9:41.21) was equally impressive in a narrow 3200 win over Louisa's Thomas Baker (9:41.34). Nick Ward claimed another first place finish for the Warriors with a 1:08.37 clocking. Two relay wins in the 4x400 (3:39.84) and 4x800 (8:40.75) also helped pull them ahead of Nansemond River.
Turner Ashby senior Justin Smith launched an indoor personal best throw in the shot put of 56'2" with one of the top field events performances of the meet. Smith won the AA state outdoor title last June with a personal best of 57'5.50".
2008 FUMA Invitational Photo Gallery by David Fleenor - 1284 total photos