Articles

2005 Year in Review MileSplit Staff Dec 31, 2005

The year of 2005 was a very significent year in the state of Virginia\'s high school and college running community with many big stories filling out the 12 months. From the terrible losses with an unusually high number of deaths by young student-athletes in the sport to the stories of championship glory, MileStat.com counts down the 10 biggest news stories of the year. While there were many important events throughout the year, these 10 come to mind as some of ones that really stood out among the rest as attention grabbers.

Great Bridge & Morrison and Landstown & Harvin battle to tie, Bethel girls 3-peat MileSplit Staff Jun 4, 2005

A fitting tie for the state title was found at the Group AAA State Meet for two deserving teams in the Landstown and Great Bridge boys with 52 points a piece. The Landstown boys were led by junior William Harvin as he did something that no athlete has done in 69 years by winning five state titles (23-5.50 LJ, 47-7 TJ, 10.69 100, 21.59 200, 42.06 4x100). Multi-event star Michael Morrison of Great Bridge had a equally extraordinary meet as the junior tallied 40 points by himself with a state title (16-9 PV), state runner-up (22-9 LJ), and third place finish (46-4.50 TJ) in three field events and two state runners-up in the hurdle events (14.61 110H, 38.08 300H). The Deep Creek boys proved that others should never sleep on the team that has continually been one of the best track programs in the state over the years as they neary snagged the state title in the 4x400 (2nd, 3:21.84), but finished just short by one place and .71 of second with 51 points. Meanwhile, sophomore Francena McCorory (11.77 100, 23.84 200) and the Bethel girls (41 pts) maintained their now three year old dynasty over the state as they won their third straight state title in the final event over the two person scoring machine of Carolyn Lewis (18-0 LJ, 37-10 TJ) and Octavia James (14.54 100H, 42.58 300H) for district rival Heritage (36 pts). Click above for extensive meet summary with photos.

Plenty of surprises on first day of Group AAA State Meet MileSplit Staff Jun 3, 2005

After the first day of events at the VHSL Group AAA State Meet held at Todd Stadium in Newport News, the Westfield girls (13 pts) and Lake Braddock boys (15 pts) lead after a day filled with surprises and exciting action. The most notable shocker was the no show of Thomas Dale star Dennis Boone who reportedly was unable to compete due to serving a school suspension for disciplinary reasons. Unfortunately, the showdown between Boone and fellow 24 plus foot longer jump William Harvin of Landstown would not happen as a result as Harvin took the event in a leap of 23-5 on a rainy overcast day. Michael Morrison has set Great Bridge up for a possible state team championship on his own if he continues to perform at the level he did on Friday. The mult-event gifted junior took a slightly surprising second place in the long jump (22-9) and won both of his heats in the 110 and 300 meter hurdles to qualify for Saturday\'s finals. He will be heavily favored to win the pole vault on Saturday as the US#3 vaulter at 16-9 and is seeded third in the triple jump (46-4) as well. The 4x800 meter relays were barnburners with Oakton girls (9:17.42) and Herndon boys (7:49.89) winning state titles in the event. Upsets in the girls\' long jump and boys\' discus throw as state leaders were defeated by lesser knowns and the girls\' pole vault saw an exciting competition with five vaulters clearing 10-6 and the winner being decided in a jumpoff.

Throws in AA meet strongest in 26 years! Joe Showker Jun 1, 2005

The AA state track championships at JMU will feature the strongest throwing field in the 26 year memory of this throws coach. Serious throw fans will realize that this is a MUST SEE event with so many able and closely ranked throwers.