Who won states?
That was the question hundreds of track and field athletes were asking last weekend when the Virginia High School League announced the Group 3A and 4A outdoor track and field championships, which were already well underway at Harrisonburg High School, were being canceled due to inclement weather with no team champion decided.
The decision sparked backlash from athletes, coaches and parents on social media, culminating with the hashtag #WhoWonStates on Twitter. Below is a small collection of tweets stemming from the decision:
Many disappointed Virginia high school runners. This is unfortunate… #whowonstates https://t.co/Dh7kxsEeBr
— Alan Webb (@alan_webb1) June 5, 2016
Since VHSL cancelled the rest of the state meet, how am I supposed to have the motivation to finish the rest of school? #whowonstates
— Brooke Crookston (@BrookeCrookston) June 5, 2016
@VHSL_athletics be like: surprise 3A/4A athletes! You worked hard to state qualify and don’t get to run! #whowonstates
— Delaney (@savedged) June 4, 2016
Following the cacophony of commentary on social media, the VHSL backtracked Monday and announced the meets would be completed on Wednesday.
Teams will arrive at Harrisonburg High School at 1 p.m. and the events will resume at 2:30 p.m. Once the final 12 events are completed, an awards ceremony will be held at roughly 4:40 p.m. to finally answer the question of who won states.
Below is Wednesday’s revised state meet schedule:
1:00 PM – Arrival on Campus at Harrisonburg High School
2:30 PM – Conclusion of 4A High Jump
2:30 PM – Girls 4A: 800 M Run Finals (2 Sections)
2:40 PM – Boys 3A: 800 M Run Finals (1 Section)
2:45 PM – Boys 4A: 800 M Run Finals (2 Sections)
2:55 PM – Girls 3A: 200 M Dash Finals
3:00 PM – Girls 4A: 200 M Dash Finals
3:05 PM – Boys 3A: 200 M Dash Finals
3:10 PM – Boys 4A: 200 M Dash Finals
3:15 PM – Break (rest time for athletes running 200 & 4 x 400)
3:35 PM – Girls 3A: 4 x 400 M Relay Finals (2 Sections)
3:45 PM – Girls 4A: 4 x 400 M Relay Finals (2 Sections)
4:00 PM – Boys 3A: 4 x 400 M Relay Finals (3 Sections)
4:20 PM – Boys 4A: 4 x 400 M Relay Finals (3 Sections)
4:40 PM – Awards/Trophies/Results
