Atlee junior Marques Atkinson leads the Central Region team champions into this weekend's Group AAA Indoor State Championships as one of most versatile athletes in the meet. Atkinson this season has competed in the hurdles, high jump, long jump, sprints, mid-distance, and relays. He will likely be the book end on both of Atlee's state qualified relays in the 4x800 and 4x400 along with competing in the high jump and long jump. The Central Region 500 champion will be featured in the fast section of his specialty event alongside twin brother Michael as they will attempt to score big points in the 500 against favorite and US leader Taylor Sykes for an Atlee squad looking to break into the top three and build towards an even stronger squad in 2011 with several key returnees. Read more for interview with Marques Atkinson...
Coverage
Travis Dawson (Lee-Davis) 2:42.64 (5th overall)
The 2010 Atlee boys track & field squad is a team which is not every year within the Central Region. Matter of fact, Coach Jim Triemplar's team this year is one of the best that the region has seen in decades as their regional championship team score of 104 points this weekend at the Arthur Ashe Center is the first time a team has crested over the 100 point total in the meet's history since 1984. Marques Atkinson (pictured right by John Herzog) was the top individual performer for the Raiders in anchoring two victorious relays in the 4x800 and 4x400, while also leading two other teammates to take three of the top four spots in a 500 regional individual title and achieving a runner-up mark in the long jump. The Capital District swept the team titles in the Central Region with the Lee-Davis girls nearly breaking the century mark as well in the points department with their final score of 94 points. Montasia Golden contributed 42 points on her own individually, which would have placed her second as a team behind only runners-up Patrick Henry with 57 points. The junior added 2 more regional titles to her growing list in the triple jump and 55 meter hurdles, while finishing runner-up in the long and high jump as well as a fourth place finish in the 300. She completed her busy weekend anchoring Lee-Davis to a come from behind win in the 4x400 meter relay. The field events had some stellar performances including a 12'3" state leading and meet record clearance by Lizzie Powell of Patrick Henry in the pole vault, Quintin Fulgham of Thomas Dale leaping over 23 feet for the second straight meet in the long jump at the Ashe Center, and Quentin Moore of Highland Springs achieivng a new personal best height of 6'7" in the high jump. More to come from the Central Region Indoor T&F Championships including full meet summary, photo gallery by John Herzog, and race videos from Brandon Miles.
Performance list for the 2010 Central Region Indoor T&F Championships to be held Friday & Saturday, February 19th and 20th at the Arthur Ashe Center in Richmond, Va. MileStat.com will be on-site with video and photo coverage. Note to coaches: There will be a Trainer at the meet, but please bring your own pre-wrap and tape.
Central Region Indoor T&F Team Rankings based on the best times/marks from the district meets at the Arthur Ashe Center and scored them as a meet. The Capital District champion Atlee boys will be strong favorites to win the regional crown.