Junior Micah Hanks won all three events she participated in Monday afternoon as Tabb’s girls joined Lafayette’s boys in capturing the Region I track and field championships held at the Boo Williams Sportsplex.
The Tigers outlasted both Grafton and King George, who tied for second with 58 points, by 10 points to win the team title. Lafayette’s boys continued their dominance outscoring runner-up Brunswick by nearly 40 points (98-59).
Hanks was the individual star of the day taking gold in the 55m dash (7.28), 300m (40.28) and 500m (1:17.36) while setting personal best times in all three events. Hanks’ time in the 500m, an event she rarely competes in, also broke an 11-year-old record.
“I felt really good today,” said an exhausted Hanks after her final cool down of the afternoon. “I surprised myself because I don’t normally run the 500, so I was trying to save my legs for the 300, but ended up PR’ing anyway.
“All my hard work is finally paying off,” added Hanks, who will compete in the 55, 300 and 4×800 relay at the Group AA state meet, which will be held February 23 at Liberty University.
Tabb’s team title is even more impressive given that Brittni King, one of the Tigers’ fastest runners, pulled out of the meet due to injury. King was a favorite to win the 300 and also runs a leg in Tabb’s state-champion 4×400 relay.
“That’s probably 10 points (in the 300m) and a major leg in the 4×400,” Tabb coach Lucas Brown said of not having King. “The girls came together as a team and overcame some significant adversity for an impressive win.
“Our girls are peaking at the right time heading into states, which is what you want.”
Bay Rivers runners flexed their muscles in the distance events as local runners captured titles in all three.
Bruton’s Carley Shannon won the 3200 in record-setting time of 11:25.63, Grafton’s Rachel Rabbitt improved her personal best time by over five seconds to win the 1600 in 5:22.50 and Warhill’s Miriam Buscher took the 1000 in 3:06.94. Grafton’s Caroline Beaudoin also won the high jump with a leap of 17-06.50.
On the boys’ side, Derek Holdsworth was Lafayette’s only individual winner – he won the 1000 in 2:37.33 – but the Rams’ depth prevailed as the Rams earned points in just about every event.
Lafayette won the 4×400 (3:31.10) and 4×800 (8:17.92) relays and got strong performances from Jason Menzies, who placed second in the 1600 and third in the 1000 respectively, as well as Kwame Durant, Luke Tillis and Andrew Loper.
“This wasn’t our best meet, but we had a lot of guys chip in and get points,” Rams’ coach Melvin Jones said. “Hopefully some guys got a little confidence heading into states, because that’s been the focus from day one.”
The Bay Rivers was also well-represented collectively on the boys’ side, winning six of the 10 track events.
York senior Dawson Connell continued his strong season winning the 1600 in a personal best time of 4:24.90. Warhill sophomore Christopher Short, who’s expected to contend for a state title in the 1000, pulled away on the final lap of the 500 to win in 1:07.24. Jamestown’s Andrew Richards also ran a strong race in the 3200 (9:50.50), beating runner-up Forrest Kidwell of Grafton by more than 20 seconds.
The top three teams and top six individuals – top three finishers in relay events – advance to the Group AA state meet along with any other individuals who met state-qualifying times during the regular season.
The team results and individual champions from the Bay Rivers are posted below. Click here for complete results via milestat.com.
BOYS
Team Results
1. Lafayette 98; 2. Brunswick 59; 3. Caroline 51; 4. King George 42; 5. Smithfield 37; 6. Jamestown 36; 7. Brunswick High 42; 8. New Kent 21; 8. Greensville County 21; 10. Caroline 20; 11. York 16; 12. Bruton 14; 13. Smithfield 6.
Region I Champions
500 meter- Christopher Short, Warhill, 1:07.24; 1000 meter- Derek Holdsworth, Lafayette, 2:37.33; 1600 meter- Dawson Connell, York, 4:24.90; 3200 meter- Andrew Richards, Jamestown, 9:50.50; 4×800- Lafayette, 8:17.92; 4×400 relay- Lafayette 3:31.10; Triple Jump- Marquis Childress, Smithfield, 46-05.00; High Jump- Childress, Smithfield, 6-02.00
GIRLS
Team Results
1. Tabb 68; 2. King George 58; 2. Grafton 58; 4. Warhill 47; 4. Jamestown 47; 6. Lafayette 46; 7. Brunswick High 42; 8. New Kent 21; 8. Greensville County 21; 10. Caroline 20; 11. York 16; 12. Bruton 14; 13. Smithfield 6
Region I Champions
55 meter- Micah Hanks, Tabb, 7.28; 300 meter- Hanks, Tabb, 40.28; 500 meter- 1:17.36; 1000 meter- Miriam Buscher, Warhill, 3:06.94; 1600 meter- Rachel Rabbitt, Grafton, 5:22.50; 3200 meter- Carley Shannon, Bruton, 11:25.63; 4×200 relay- Warhill, 1:49.05; 4×400 relay- Warhill, 4:13.76; 4×800 relay- Jamestown, 10:03.46
