Boulden, Cadets strong-arm league rivals

RICHMOND, VA -- Billy Boulden won both weight events, and J.R. Benton won the triple jump and ran a leg on the winning sprint relay as a well-balanced Benedictine track team captured the State Catholic outdoor championships by more than 90 points Saturday.

Boulden, a senior ranked in the Richmond-area top 10 in the shot put and the discus, posted marks of 48-1¾ and 130-1 to win the two events by comfortable margins.

Benton helped the Cadets' 400-meter relay edge Bishop O'Connell, second overall in the team standings as well. Benton also placed second in the long jump, third in the 100 and tied for third in the high jump, to go with his triple jump win.

A Benedictine athlete or relay team finished no lower than fifth (with six places scoring) in each of the 16 events, including a 1-2-3 finish in the shot and a 1-3-4 finish in the discus.

Jessica Wolfe won the 1,600 (5:18.02) and 3,200 (11:48.77) to lead Bishop Ireton to the girls title.

St. Gertrude sprinter Lashonde Rose finished a very-close second in both the 100 and 200, clocking 13.0 and 26.9, respectively.

State Catholic teams will next compete in the Virginia Independent Schools state meet on Saturday at Sports Backers Stadium.