The 4x8 races at States are usually excited but this year they were on a whole other level. They started with a bang too thanks to Deep Run and John Champe.
Surprisingly enough the quartet from Champe was able to really get a good start on the field and alongside Menchville they were able to dictate the pace early. As the race progressed it became just a three team race between the Ville, Champe, and Glen Allen.
Everything changed though when it was time for the anchor legs to run. Up for Champe was Bethany Graham. She wanted to set the pace early and not make it a race but Deep Run's Lily Snow had something else planned.
With 400m to go Lily Snow finally pulled even with Graham and the race was on. Both battled it out stride for stride until the final meters when both athletes went four lanes wide to cross the line in a photo finish. It was Graham taking the title for Champe and Lily and Deep Run finishing second despite her faster split.
This was Bethany Graham's first state title but she did go on to win the 3200m title as well while Snow won the 1K and 1600m titles. The relay team for Champe was Mythri Madireddy, Marianne Jayaraj, Callie Pratt, and Bethany Graham. Pratt is the only senior on that team.