In the field events, we see some strong Gar-field presence from Flordell Kissee (Shot Put), Derek Liggins & Eric Lewis (Long Jump), Larry Evans & Larry Watson (High Jump), and Larry Evans & Tyree Carr (Triple Jump). All five field events have clear-cut favorites, with the top seeds well above the rest. Ian Parker of Potomac in the shot put(58-08.00), Derrick Knighton of Albemarle in the pole vault (12-00.00), Liggins in the long jump (23-00.50), Jeff Bennett of G.W. in the high jump (6-07.00), and Forest Park's Reynold Smith in the triple jump (45-11.50).
In the 55 m dash, C.D. Hylton's Tyjuann Carroll comes in #1 seed, but Sean Hill (Colonial Forge) and Antwan Stewart (Potomac) will be right on his heels.
Gar-field looks to dominate the hurdles, with the top three seeds of Antoine Woods, Jarmell Latney, and Eric Lewis. However, Woodbridge and Colonial Forge hope for presence in the finals, with the #4, #8 (Woodbridge) and #5 seeds (Colonial Forge).
In the 4x800, E.C. Glass sits on top with a lofty 8:09.99, but Colonial Forge, ranked second and hungry for points, will do their best to knock down the defending champions.
Colonial Forge has the top seed in the 4x200, but it can be anyone's race, as traditionally quick teams from C.D. Hylton, Gar-field, and Brooke Point will make it a very fast race.
Colonial Forge again looks to earn some points from their depth in sprints, with the #1 and #3 300-meter seeds Sean Hill (35.44) and Chris McElvanie (35.84). Don't count out Woodbridge and Gar-field in this one, they have #5 Vandy Luseni (36.14) and #6 Eric Coleman (36.24), respectively.
The 500m looks to be a good one, with the top three teams bringing in 75% of the top four seeds, all under 1:09.
The distance races start to hurt hopeful champion Gar-field, but we really start to see the stars from "The Bridge" and "The Forge" shine brightly.
In the 1000m, Woodbridge Junior Tim Stark reports a 5th-in-State 2:33.14. The win won't come easy, however, with E.C. Glass's Luke Thomas and Dustin Rosser working together to pull him in, along with defending Champion and All-State returnee Sean Leyh of Colonial Forge.
In the 1600m, Woodbridge's Mike Lyng (4:31.29), defending team champions Albemarle's Hari Mix (4:35.84) and Northwest Regional Cross Country champion Mike Porter of Colonial Forge (4:35.84) will mix it up, with Porter looking for revenge on Lyng from early season defeats.
The 3200m looks to be money in the bank for Woodbridge, taking the #1 (Mike Lyng), #2 (Matt Drake), and #4 (Galen Huling) seeds, with no competition from Colonial Forge or Gar-field, save for #7 seed Peter Deanna of Gar-field.
The team title could come down to a very exciting 4x400-meter race. Woodbridge sits above the rest (3:29.64), but Colonial Forge (3:33.74) and Gar-field (3:34.94) will know what they need for the title by this time, and could quickly snatch the needed 10 points. Throw in the #3 seed E.C. Glass (3:34.48), and they could spoil it for everyone.
Saturday looks to be full of excitement at the VMI Track & Field House, making the long day even more entertaining, no matter who you want to win.