This weekend is the big one down in Virginia Beach. The 8th installment of the VA Showcase will certainly bring talent from around the country but what they need to be prepared for is facing some strong competition from the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Here are 9 individuals and two relays we think could seriously compete and win this weekend. This list is just the start of what could be a historic weekend for VA athletes.
Girls 55m Hurdles: Shakayla Lavender finished third a year ago running 7.95 in the 55mH. This year she looks to defend what is basically her home track. She will face very good competition from NC as well.
USATF Girls 60m Dash: Brianna Selby aka VA State Record Holder aka New Balance National Champion is going to toe the line with the best in the country. This race, which is a part of the USATF meet will be a star studded affair.
Invitational Girls 1K: Bella Harsanyi enters the weekend as the top seed but boy does she have competition. There could be four girls who break 2:50 in this race alone. Fellow-VA athlete Cassidy Scott is also in there and seeded second.
Invitational Boys 500m Dash: Harry Economon has already opened his season with a VA #1 performance in the 300 and 500 and he is looking for a lot more this weekend. It will be tough for him to win this race but he could seriously take a shot at the state record in what will be just his second meet of the season.
Invitational Boys Triple Jump: Ty'Heak Buie has already jumped over 50' and he will need to better his PR again to jump away with a win this weekend. He has competition from NC, FL, and many other states. It should be noted his Potomac Senior teammate will also be right there as well.
Invitational Girls High Jump: Destini Gatling has jumped 5-8 and enters the weekend as the leader but as we all know with the high jump, you have to have a great day to jump compete. She will be looking to grab the win and a PR.
Invitational Girls 500m Dash: Sidney Nolan is your state leader and that isn't where she plans to stop. With some solid competition she is looking to take home the gold and move up the all-time list.
Invitational Boys 1000m Run: Cole Boone enters as the sole boy sub 2:30 but if history is any indication, there are going to be quite a few more boys breaking that barrier. He has more on his mind than just a PR. This race will likely decide who is the national leader as well.
Invitational Boys Two Mile: Berkley Nance made a statement out in San Diego finishing fourth at Foot Locker Nationals. This will be his first big race since then and he is going to face a field that is entirely sub 9:20 for the two mile distance. That is some crazy depth.
Invitational Girls 4x200m Relay: South County enters the weekend after setting a US #1 time up in NYC. They will look to better that time and you know they will be fast since basically every one of their 4x2 athletes made the invitational division in one event individually.
Invitational Boys 4x200m Relay: Oscar Smith ran US #3 all-time last year and returns everyone from that quartet. They get to face off with IMG and a few others all looking to go under 1:27!