The Peninsula Ice Breaker served as the opening high school meet at the new Boo Williams Sportsplex indoor track facility, which will host the VHSL Group AAA State Indoor Championships later this season.
While a lot of the Eastern Region's top athletes were held out of the meet, there were still enough star power at the meet to produce the most top performances from any meet in Virginia in the opening weeked of indoor track. The host school Bethel posted stellar times in relay action with a team led by a large group of underclassmen posted early state leading times of 1:46.11 in the 4x200 and 4:01.95 in the 400.
Phoebus sophomore Crystal Peterson (pictured left by John Herzog) expects to be a rising star in Virginia this year after an outstanding freshmen year. Peterson kicked off her second year of high school track with two first place finishes and state leading times in the sprints of 7.20 in the 55 meter dash and 41.48 in the 300 meter dash.
Returning AAA indoor state triple jump champion Jasia Richardson of J.R. Tucker made her return to the pits after her outdoor season ended prematurely due to injury. Richardson looked to be in fine form for an early December meet with top marks of 38'10" in the triple jump and 16'9" in the long jump.
The top two finishers in the boys 300 meter dash came from Group AA sprinters out of the Bay Rivers District with returning Group AA All-State performer Greg Farrell of Jamestown clocking out at 36.66 for the win with district competitor Kenny Tyler as the next fastest at 37.42.
Western Branch boys, pre-season favorites to win a third straight AAA indoor title, kicked off their 2008-2009 indoor campaign with two relay victories in the 4x200 (1:33.93) and 4x400 (3:27.69) meter relays.
The Burton brothers, representing two different schools, were both event winners at Boo Williams with 1000 meter winner Orlando Burton of Heritage (2:43.45) and 500 meter winner Brandon Burton of Woodside (1:06.08).
Jamestown's Nick Durante and Patrick Henry's Lizzie Powell are two of the state's top returning pole vaulters and showcased their talents by clearing great early season heights with Durante topping out at 14 feet and Powell at 10'6".
Peninsula Ice Breaker Complete Results
The Peninsula Ice Breaker served as the opening high school meet at the new Boo Williams Sportsplex indoor track facility, which will host the VHSL Group AAA State Indoor Championships later this season.
While a lot of the Eastern Region's top athletes were held out of the meet, there were still enough star power at the meet to produce the most top performances from any meet in Virginia in the opening weeked of indoor track. The host school Bethel posted stellar times in relay action with a team led by a large group of underclassmen posted early state leading times of 1:46.11 in the 4x200 and 4:01.95 in the 400.