Attention All Coaches: Virginia is Getting A T&F/XC Coaches Association! Jim McGrath Jul 18, 2016

There is also a lot of action happening off the track in Virginia. The Virginia Track Coaches Association is a new organization, and one with lofty goals and expectations, which are geared toward enhancing the track experience for both high school coaches and athletes. At the 5A/6A state meet, I had the opportunity to speak with Osbourn Park coach Mike Feldman, who has been spearheading the development of the organization, which is registered with the state business licensing authority and the IRS. They will be holding their third preliminary meeting July 25/26 and coaches clinic at UVA August 5th & 6th.


Harrison and Doria Martingayle Shine For Princess Anne Jim McGrath Jun 10, 2016

Sports have had its share of brother-sister pairs. In the early 1970’s, there were Billie Jean King (tennis) and Randy Moffatt (San Francisco Giants pitcher). Speed skaters Eric and Beth Heiden in the 1980 Winter Olympics. Tracksters Carl and Carol Lewis of the mid-80’s.


Kathryn Mayo Crushes Field in 5A Girls 800 Jim McGrath Jun 10, 2016

Almost lost in the parade of dominant performances from last weekend's 5A/6A state track meet was Kathryn Mayo's fine run on Saturday afternoon. The Albemarle junior took the lead in the 5A girls' 800 meters right from the starting gun and ran away with a 2:11.78 win, three seconds ahead of runner-up Ashley Brown from Henrico High.


Amazing 4x8s and Fast Prelims: 5A/6A Day 1 Recap Jim McGrath Jun 05, 2015

If Day One of the 5A/6A track meet at Todd Stadium gave us any indication of the near future, it’s that Saturday should prove to be a barnburner on the oval and in the field: full of state bests and potential records. After Day 1 the Henrico girls and Hickory boys lead in the 5A competition, while the Western Branch girls and Grassfield boys are atop the team leaderboard in 6A.

One For The Record Books! 5A/6A State Meet Recap Jim McGrath Mar 11, 2015

As expected, the Virginia 5A/6A state track championship was a barnburner, loaded with a new collection of U.S. top five best performances, one runaway team victor, and a host of tight contests for the state champion trophy. Four champions were crowned on Tuesday, and two were determined by the final race: the 4x400: 6A Boys: T.C. Williams, 6A Girls: Western Branch, 5A Boys: Manchester, and 5A Girls: Atlee.

Morning Session Recap from 5A/6A States! Jim McGrath Mar 09, 2015

Signs of rust from two weeks of missed practice because of snow and ice, coupled with the New Balance Indoor National Championships in New York City looming four days away, led to several unlikely field heroes on the opening day of the Virginia 5A/6A indoor track championships at the Boo Williams Sportsplex in Hampton.

Chasing Their Own History Jim McGrath May 20, 2008

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Photo by John Herzog

As the Virginia track teams head into championship season, it is worth noting that one of the most successful stories from our state so far has been the remarkable showings from the Bethel boys 4x400 relay, most notably, their 3:14.71 clocking at the Penn Relays.  The time, which was actually run in the preliminaries, launched the Bruins foursome of Austin Cuffee, Earl House, Sherrard Marrow, and indoor 400 national champion Ja-Vell Bullard into the finals where they placed second overall, but first among American teams. The sign in front of the school on Big Bethel Road states it all – Congratulations Cuffee, House, Marrow, Bullard - #2 in World.

Saturday Highlights from Conn-Madden Relays Jim McGrath Mar 29, 2008

Despite the cold conditions on Saturday at the Conn-Madden Relays, there were other noteworthy performances. The most surprising may have been the 6’4” high jump (part of Woodside’s winning 12-0 relay) from Woodside’s Chris Burton. Burton was lured to track soon after basketball season, and in his first high jump competition ever, at last Tuesday’s dual meet against Gloucester, the sophomore cleared 6’5”. In a true understatement, assistant coach Butch Gordon calls Burton “an unbelievable find.” Chris Copeland of Lakeland is currently ruling the high jump roost in Virginia with his passing of the seven-foot barrier, but the future of Virginia high jumping may be currently competing in Air Jordan’s. Read full meet summary of Saturday's events...

Conn-Madden Relays Complete Results

Friday highlights from Conn-Madden Relays Jim McGrath Mar 28, 2008

Over 80 teams gathered at Todd Stadium in Newport News today to open the southeastern region’s invitational season at the Conn-Madden Relays. The meet kicked off today with three relay events and the open 400 meter hurdles.

The meet, named after legendary Newport News coaches Julie Conn and Thad Madden, has been a fixture on many teams’ schedules for decades. Although the number of participating teams has dwindled some in recent years, the meet still has enough firepower to draw teams from Northern Virginia and even upstate New York.

Today’s highlights included a Peninsula District sweep in the 400 hurdles. Hampton’s Lavell Handy (pictured left by John Herzog) edged Booker T. Washington’s Cordarel Madison (56.54 to 56.91) to win the boys event, while Menchville’s Maia Wise easily won the girls race with a 64.98 clocking. Read more...