Let's hear it for Old Dominion

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Virginia -- and Virginians -- were at the epicenter of a sensational week of high school indoor track and field.

In North Carolina, Drew Hunter of Loudoun Valley smashed the national record in the 3,000 meters at the Camel City Elite Races at JDL Fast Track. Weini Kelati of Heritage ran the fourth-fastest prep 3,000 in the girls race and broke the Virginia state record. Kate Murphy of Lake Braddock ran 4:43.87 to break the state record in the mile.

Hunter can now set his sights on the Armory Track Invitational and a sub-four mile opportunity in New York City.

At Virginia Tech, Noah and Josephus Lyles ran the third-and sixth-fastest times in history in the 300 meters. Noah ran 33.18 and his younger brother was right behind him in 33.26. The Florida Gator recruits teamed up with their TC Williams classmates and ran 1:27.29 for No. 8 all-time in the 4x200 relay.

Grant Holloway of Grassfield was spectacular as well. He jumped 25-11.50 for the third-best jump in history indoors. It was nearly a three-inch PR over his best leap outdoors in 2015. He also ran 6.22 in the 55 meters for a US#1 this season and No. 19 (tied) all-time.

A fantastic high school track meet in Blacksburg was unfortunately overshadowed by much darker news. Gut wrenching details emerged and made national headlines involving former Maryland state champion (indoor 1,600 in 2015) David Eisenhauer, a Virginia Tech freshman, who was arrested and charged in the kidnapping and murder of a 13-year-old girl. Our condolences go out to the victim’s family.

In other venues, Jordan Geist of Knoch PA nearly caught national junior class record holder Nick Vena with his huge throw of 71 feet, 2.50 inches at the TSTCA meet in Edinboro, Pa. Knoch has made steady progress throughout the fall and it seems likely that there are more improvements yet to come. Vena’s junior class record is 71-5.

Utah came alive at the UHSTCA meet in Kearns and NXN cross country champion Casey Clinger ran 4:10.57 for 1,600 meters and his teammate Patrick Parker was close with 4:11.33. Courtney Wayment of Davis dipped under five minutes with 4:59.53. Logan MacKay of Davis won the 800 meters in 1:53.84 to move into a tie for US#2.

At the Ocean Breeze High School Invitational on Staten Island, strong fields in the 2-miles made the biggest waves. Six boys finished under 9:10. La Salle RI’s Matt Bouthillette ran 9:05.48 for the win to edge teammate DJ Principe (9:06.58). Ben Petrella from Liverpool NY broke up the La Salle pack with third in 9:06.91. Jack Salisbury of La Salle was fourth in 9:07.35. In the girls two-mile, Aislinn Devlin of Downingtown West won in 10:43.30. Gabrielle Wilkinson of Friends Central PA won the mile in 4:58.07.

At the Birmingham Crossplex in Alabama, sprinters Nathanaiel Huggins of Opelika and Jayla Kirkland of Woodlawn won the 60 meter dashes. Huggins paired 6.89 with a 48.33 clocking in the 400. Kirkland ran 7.46 seconds. Monica Mosley of Clinton MS ran 56.00 to win the 400. Amaris Tyynismaa of Montgomery Catholic ran 5:10.30/11:17.86 to win the 1600/3200 double.