by Seneca Contomanolis
DigitalSports Richmond
Deep Run and Midlothian swapped spots on the podium.
The Wildcats finished second behind the Trojans last year at the Central Region indoor track and field championships.
This season Deep Run got some revenge by claiming their first ever title with a team score of 74 at the Ashe Center on Saturday.
Midlothian took the runner-up spot with 72 points and Manchester was third with 54.
“We thought we could be in the running with Midlothian and Manchester,” Wildcats coach Lake Stockdreher said. “It is a battle of different types of programs. Midlo scores in six events and we score in 15. We are more rounded but they have a great program.”
Ashley Orr had a great showing for Deep Run. The senior won the triple jump (37-7 1/4) and was part of the 800-meter relay team that took first with a time of 1:51.42. Joanna Hassell, Katie Fuson and Jay’vonne Bowman were the other members.
Bowman took the 300 title at 43.17.
Briana Hudson was also solid placing third in the high jump (5-2) and and fourth in the triple jump (36-8 1/4).
Stockdreher was named coach of the year and has high hopes for states next week.
“We are shooting for the top five,” Stockdreher said. “We are capable of that. We came in third last year.”
The Group AAA meet will be held at George Mason University. The top six individuals in each event advanced.
Runner of the year Susannah Piersol (MWGS) was victorious in the 3,200-meter run (11:25.02) and along with Anna Spiers, Natalie Davis and Rena Hazey also captured the 3,200-relay title with a time of 9:48.55.
Midlothian’s Paige Johnston set a meet record in the 1,000 by completing it in 3:02.33. The previous mark of 3:02.44 was held by Demarch Robertson of Jefferson-Huguenot-Wythe since 1983.
“No I didn’t,” Johnston said when asked if she initially felt like she broke the record. “I had no idea until some said, ‘I think you got the record.'”
Johnston credited being relaxed, working on her form and focusing on her arms to make the race go by quicker. She is the defending state champion in the 1,000.
Corinna Brown, of Prince George, was honored as the field event athlete of the meet. She won the high jump at 5-3, was second in the triple jump (37-1 1/2) and fourth in the long jump (17-3 3/4).
GIRLS TEAM SCORES
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