Photos by Andrew Kicinski
Top performance from the first of two long days of high school track & field action at the Liberty Flames High School Invitational belonged to Rashaan Jones of South Lakes clearing a US #1 height of 7 feet in the high jump. Jones, only a junior, has developed greatly from his sophomore year which he finished with a 6'6" clearance at the VHSL Group AAA State Outdoor Championships. Jones joins only seven others in Virginia high school indoor track history to have ever successfully cleared 7 feet.
Both seeded sections of the 1600 meter run produced swift times as Cave Spring sophomore Katie Fortner broke 5 minutes virtually leading wire to wire in a US #11 4:58.79 performance, while the Foot Locker All-American in Sean McGorty of Chantilly took charge similarly en route to his VA #2 victory at 4:19.31 in the boys' race. A deep race for both with 9 boys running 4:26 or faster and 11 girls breaking 5:20.
Not many athletes in Virginia's history have been as great as Felecia Majors is in the pole vault and excelled so well in other disciplines of track & field. The South County senior Majors cleared 11 feet to win the pole vault easily, but even more impressively won the 300 meter dash against previous state leader and regional rival Genamarie McCant with a state leading and US #9 clocking of 40.24. The title of Miss Versatility in Virginia might not necessarily go to Shakeela Saunders in her return back to Virginia with the continued improvements made by Majors, who also will qualified for the finals of the 55 meter dash to be held on Saturday and finished second in the long jump on Friday with a mark of 17'3.25".
Liberty Flames HS Invite Day 1 Results
Photo Gallery & Race Videos to come later this weekend. Check website on Saturday for twitter and results updates!
