by Stephen M. Lewis
DigitalSports Richmond
It’s been a longtime coming for Douglas Freeman.
One of the most respected track and field programs in the Central Region, it’s hard to believe the Rebels claimed their first-ever boys Central Region indoor title Saturday at the Arthur Ashe Center.
“It’s really sweet,” Freeman coach Sherry Edwards said. “We have banners in our gym and now we’ll have a mark saying 2008.”
And the Rebels did it in impressive and dramatic fashion. Down four points to Matoaca with two events to go, the Rebels had Chris Woody in the 3,200.
Seeded third he didn’t disappoint, finishing third for six points, giving DF a two-point advantage.
“That was a huge performance by Chris,” Freeman’s Michael Quash said. “We were really expecting him to come in third, maybe second.”
Talk about huge performances. Quash put up one of his own, earning runner-of-the-meet honors in the process.
He won the 55-meter hurdles in 7.78, the only runner under eight seconds. He finished second in the 300 to Armstrong‘s Bernard Seward.
Then two events later he tore off a terrific anchor leg in the 1,600 relay as Freeman, seeded first, won the final event in almost three seconds to cement the title with 76 points, a comfortable 12 over Matoaca.
The unit is led by all seniors, Slade Floyd, Ulrick Smith, Lewis McPherson and Quash.
“It was a pretty pressure situation going into the 4 x 4,” Quash said. “Ulrick and I weren’t feeling too well after the 300, but we kind of battled some illnesses and gutted it out.”
Freeman also got top-notch performances from McPherson (second in the 1,000), Smith (second in the 500) and Friday’s winning 3,200 relay team of Eric Davies, twins Alec and Kyle Ward and McPherson.
“They came through,” Edwards said. “I think they were tired, but everybody was tired. Matoaca did what they needed to do. I said to the guys, ‘Do you want it or not?’ “
The Warriors put up a tremendous effort led by field event performer of the meet Wesley Benitez.
He won the long jump by a foot over teammate Jamar Parham (sixth in the 55), was second to Lee-Davis’ Antonio Puller in the triple jump and tied for fifth in the high jump.
Matoaca fared well in the sprints.
Jameal Harris finished second to Quash in the 55 hurdles. Joshua Moore and Dorian Jackson went fourth in the 500 and 300, respectively.
It didn’t help that Matoaca’s 1,600 relay team was disqualified, but Freeman handled business anyway.
Deep Run finished third behind terrific field performances by Matthew Armentrout (pole vault champ), Kirk Fischer (high jump champ) and Feild Craddock (second in high jump).
6. Atlee 34; 7. Hermitage, Patrick Henry 33; 9. Manchester 32; 10. Mills Godwin 29
11. Midlothian 22; 12. Varina 21; 13. James River, Armstrong 16; 15. Maggie Walker 12
16. John Marshall 9; 17. J.R. Tucker, Cosby 8; 19. Thomas Dale, Meadowbrook 6
21. Colonial Heights, Monacan, Dinwiddie 5; 24. Hopewell; 25. Clover Hill, Highland Springs 3
27. L.C. Bird, Prince George 2; 29. Huguenot 1
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