Southern Track Classic Brings Local, National Talent to RVA
By: Shihan Wijeyeratne
Between 600 and 700 of Virginia’s elite high school track and field athletes, many of whom attend Richmond schools, will be competing on Friday, May 8th at Sports Backers Stadium in the Southern Track Classic beginning at 4:45 p.m. In the 16 years since its inception, the Southern Track Classic has produced more U.S. top 10 performances than all other Virginia invitational meets combined.
The 2015 event will feature more than 15 nationally ranked athletes and over 40 competitors who have won state championships. It will again be one of the premier high school meets in the mid-Atlantic region.
The marquee female event of the meet will be the 200m, with nationally ranked Lauryn Ghee of Grassfield and Nansemond River’s Kara Lyles vying for the title. On the men’s side, the 3200m will be an exciting race featuring the top-ranked 1600m runner in the U.S., Drew Hunter of Loudoun Valley, along with Peter Suefer of E.C. Glass and Gannon Wilcotts of Western Albemarle. Both Suefer and Wilcotts are ranked in the national top 10 at that distance.
The women’s mile will feature Libby Davidson of E.C. Glass and Rachel McArthur of Patriot, who are both cross-country All-Americans. Davidson was the runner-up at this year’s Penn Relays 3000m and McArthur anchored Patriot to the Distance Medley Relay title at Penn with a 4:51 1600m split.
In the field events, the athletes to watch will be Lachyna Roe from Henrico and Titiana Marsh of Thomas Dale. Both are nationally ranked triple jumpers with Marsh setting a national freshman record during this year’s indoor season.
In the relays, Nansemond River brings the third-ranked women’s 4×400 team in the country as well as the Penn Relays Small Schools champion women’s 4×100 team.
Top local seed to watch for are:
India Lowe, Atlee (300IH)
Emma Call, Maggie Walker (800m)
Carley Feyerabend, Atlee (High Jump)
Mike Warren, Midlothian (Shot Put)
Bryce Simpson, Atlee (Pole Vault)
Lachyna Roe, Henrico
Manchester (Boys 4×800)
Deep Run (Boys 4×800)
Southern Track Classic Order of Events
5:00 p.m.
Woman’s Shot followed by Men’s
Men’s Discus followed by Women’s
Woman’s Pole Vault followed by Men’s
Woman’s Long Jump followed by Triple Jump
Men’s Long Jump followed by Triple Jump
Men’s High Jump followed by Women’s
6:30 p.m.
Opening Ceremonies
6:40 p.m.
Woman’s Sprint Medley Relay
Men’s Sprint Medley Relay
Woman’s 4 x 800 Relay
Men’s 4 x 800 Relay
Women’s 100m Hurdles
Men’s 110m Hurdles
Women’s 100m Dash
Men’s 100m Dash
Women’s Mile Run
Men’s Mile Run
Girl’s 4 x 100m Relay (2 sections)
Men’s 4 x 100m Relay (2 sections)
Women’s 400m Dash
Men’s 400m Dash
Women’s 300m Hurdles
Men’s 300m Hurdles
Women’s 800m Run
Men’s 800m Run
Women’s 200m Dash
Men’s 200m Dash
Women’s Two Mile Run
Men’s Two Mile Run
Women’s 4 x 400m Relay (2 sections)
Men’s 4 x 400m Relay (2 sections)
Tickets are $8 and are available onsite on Friday. Gates open at 3:30 p.m.; field events commence at 5:00 p.m. and running events at 6:45 p.m.
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