Next up are the 5A boys featuring a three way battle for the team title between L.C. Bird, Potomac Senior, and Nansemond River who all three are looking for big points in many places. Each of these teams, just the girls, are led by strong leaders and athletes who will put the team on their back if need be. Atlee also could be considered in the hunt though more on the outside but that is why you run the meet.
Aside from just those teams, their are two huge stars, amongst many, that you should be watching at this meet. The two we really want to focus on are William Chapman (Atlee) and Alex Slinkman (Lee-Davis) who are the top two seeds in the pole vault both seeded over 16-0. That is a significant height considering it is a foot above the meet record and third and fifth all-time in the state of Virginia.
In the sprint events it is Potomac Seniors' Bryan Ahouman in the 55 and L.C. Bird's Josiah Hill & Jeremiah Hill leading the way in the 300 and 500. Though they may lead, you certainly cannot count out the other competitors. The biggest threats to these guys are Donovan Louis (Potomac Senior) in the 55, Daiqwaun Faircloth (Nansemond River) in the 300, and twice defending champion Edward Richardson III (Bethel) in the 500.
Continuing the trend of strong Richmond runners will be Mathias Canon of Deep Run. This senior is entered in the 3200 and 1600 as the favorite and will likely run a leg on the favored Deep Run 4x800m relay.
In the other four events on the track you have Nansemond River favored in the 4x2, L.C. Bird favored in the 4x4, Kameron Helmlinger (Atlee) favored in the 1K, and Faircloth favored in the hurdles. All of these races are no shoe-ins by any means and should be some of the most thrilling and important events all weekend as it relates to the team title battle.
Some of the same names will also be featured in the field event competition. Donovan Louis is entered as the favorite in the long jump with his US #2 24-3.25 best and as the meet record holder. Another guy entered high in the long jump and as the favorite for the high jump is Atlee's Cason Gardner.
Throwing this weekend for the win will be Benjamin Clay III (Highland Springs) and Darnell Council (North Stafford) who are seeded at 54-2 and 54-1 respectively. The meet record in this event is 54-8.25. And in the final event for 5A we have Chauncey Chambers (Robert E. Lee) leading the way in the triple jump with a very strong mark of 48-6.