VHSL CLASS 1 TRACK & FIELD: Rural Retreat has strong day behind Trey Ward; Shelby Stanley (Eastside) concludes brilliant career (copy)
Trey Ward, Rural Retreat
HARRISONBURG, Va. – Two weeks ago, Rural Retreat made school history by winning its first regional championship in boys track and field.
On Saturday, the Indians crafted another historical chapter at the VHSL Class 1 state meet at James Madison University behind the work of Trey Ward.
Ward won the 200 in a time of 22.66, finished third in the 100, and ran the anchor leg on the victorious 4x100 relay. That squad included multi-sport athletes Brody Childers, Jake Rollyson and Chaz Penwright.
“Our kids came here on a mission to win that relay and out mission was completed,” Rural Retreat coach J.B. Wright said. “Our group worked really hard with repeated practice on handoffs and trips to meets at the University of Virginia and Science Hill to face stiff competition. I’m so dang proud of these kids.”
What about the performance of Ward?
“Trey is a great kid and phenomenal athlete who deserves all the recognition he gets,” Wright said.
For Ward, the 4x100 relay featured a Hollywood ending. With fans and teammates yelling, Ward made up a deficit of 25 meters and held off multiple challengers.
“When I started the final leg, I saw that a guy was in front of me and I just decided that I wasn't going to lose,” Ward said. “I think that I hit a gear that I’ve never seen before but it paid off.
“It was an amazing seeing our names come up on the scoreboard after the finish. I don’t think four people have ever worked harder for anything. I’ve wanted that race for four years.”
Auburn collected 106 points to claim the team title. Chilhowie (38 points) was seventh in the team standing, with Rural Retreat (26 points) taking the No. 11 spot.
Five-foot-10 George Wythe sophomore Skyler McBride earned gold in the long jump with a leap of 22-02.50. McBride was ranked first entering the event.
“I had to perform and I feel blessed to win,” McBride said. “My big brother (Blake) also ran track. He taught me a lot and gave me a pep talk before this meet.”
McBride, who didn’t compete in outdoor track last year, finished second in state indoor meet in the long jump.
Chilhowie was helped by a second-place effort from junior Gabe Rouse in the 300 hurdles and a runner-up in the 4x400 relay behind the combination of sophomore Bradley Kell, Rouse, sophomore Mason West and junior Garrett Dickison.
In the final meet ever for Grundy, senior Keyston Hartford took second in the 1,600 and third in the 800.
GIRLS
Cumberland generated 60 points to claim the team championship. George Wythe (46) was fourth, with Eastside (40) tied for sixth.
It was also a big day for Holston’s Zyleigh Hayden. The sophomore finished second in 200 and 400 and was third in the 100.
“I was ranked first in all three events, but I was very nervous coming in,” Hayden said. “ The athletes here are really fast, but I ran how I wanted and I’m happy with what I did. This experience really pushes me to be a better athlete.”
Sophomore Raegan Jones of Chilhowie captured the 300 hurdles in a time of 45.68. Chilhowie also took second in the 4x400 relay behind sophomore Abby Bogle, senior Mady Heath, freshman Alivia Dickison and finished third in the 4x100 relays with Jones, junior Dalton Hester, senior Mady Heath and Bogle.
Junior Emma Faulkner from George Wythe won the 3,200 in 11:33.02, while senior teammate Zoey Childers was second in the long jump.
Rye Cove senior Jalynn Rogers claimed second in the high jump, with Thomas Walker junior Madie Burke in third.
GIRLS
Team Scores
Cumberland 60, Northampton 51, Auburn 50, George Wythe 46, William Campbell 43, Riverheads 40, Eastside 40, Brunswick 38, Chilhowie 32, Narrows 28, Holston 24, Patrick Henry 22, Middlesex 21, Franklin 20, Rappahannock 14, Northumberland 13, West Point 13, Luray 12, Charles City County 12, Lancaster 11, Thomas Walker 10, Essex 8, Highland 8, Rye Cove 8, Grayson County 8, Castlewood 5, Grundy 5, Northwood 5, Galileo 3, Eastern Montgomery 3, Council 2, Mathews 2, Altavista 2, Giles 1, Sussex Central 1, Chincoteague 1, Surry County 1
Individual Results
Discus – Sarah Piner (Riverheads), 125-03.50; Long Jump – Rylee Coates (Northampton), 18-01; Pole Vault - Rylee Coates, Northampton), 11-02; 100 Hurdles – Destnee Bullock (Brunswick), 15.26; 300 Hurdles – Raegan Jones (Chilhowie), 45.68; 100 – Arnesia Dews (William Campbell), 12.46; 200 – Arnesia Dews (William Campbell), 25.66; 400 - Arnesia Dews (William Campbell), 57.01; 800 – Shelby Stanley (Eastside), 2:21.25, 1600 - Shelby Stanley (Eastside), 5:20.61; 3200 - Emma Faulkner (George Wythe), 11:33.02; 4x100 Relay - Franklin, 50.03; 4x400 Relay - Narrows, 4:13.98
BOYS
Team Scores
Auburn 106, Eastern Montgomery 55, Parry McCluer 54, Rappahannock 43.5, Riverheads 40.5, Brunswick 40, Chilhowie 38, Sussex Central 36, Middlesex 34, Luray 28, Rural Retreat 26, Cumberland 20, Northumberland 18, George Wythe 15, Galileo 15, Grundy 14, Northampton 14, Rye Cove 12, Essex 11, Patrick Henry 9, Fort Chiswell 6, Narrows 5, Chincoteague 5, King & Queen 4, Lancaster 3, Giles 3, Mathews 3, Rappahannock County 3, Highland 1, J.I. Burton 1
Individual Results
Discus - Colton Honaker (Auburn), 157-06; Long Jump – Skyler McBride (George Wythe), 22-02.50; Pole Vault - Thomas Hungarland (Galileo), 12-06 110 Hurdles – Jayden Bullock (Sussex Central), 14.83; 300 Hurdles – Storm Parker (Riverheads), 39:45; 100 – Michael Ball (Rappahannock), 11:04; 200 – Trey Ward (Rural Retreat), 22.66; 400 - Michael Ball (Rappahannock), 48.83; 800 – Azmani Jackson (Luray), 1:56.29; 1600 – Kebryl Chandler (Parry McCluer), 4:22.45; 3200 - Kebryl Chandler (Parry McCluer), 9:36.11; 4x100 Relay – Rural Retreat, (Brody Childers, Jake Rollyson, Chaz Penwright, Trey Ward), 43:09; 4x400 Relay - Rappahannock, 3:24.43
agregory@bristolnews.com | Twitter: @Greg_BHCSports | (276) 645-2544
