Friday was a perfect day for Tynita Butts of T.C. Williams as she not only defended her NSIC title in the high jump from a year ago, but also added a long jump victory with two US #1 performances. Butts had a 5'10.50" clearance in the high jump and 20'1.25" leap in the long jump to break her own state record in the event.
Friday event highlights so far by the other Virginians competing at the National Scholastic Indoor Championships held in the New York Armory...
Girls DMR - The Lake Braddock girls put together an impressive relay run in the distance medley relay with their national runner-up finish of 12:01.84. The team of Kelly Hagan, Becca Sinickho, Casey Lardner, and Liana Epstein broke the Virginia high school girls indoor state record in the event with their performance. The previous state record was held by the 1998 Thomas Jefferson squad at 12:02.48. Splits to come.
Boys 5K - Clarke County junior Chris York ran a considerable PR to earn All-American honors with his 6th place effort of 15:31.54. York, who has earned numerous All-State honors in track and cross country while at Clarke County, had a previous 5K best of 15:57 from cross country. Also running under 16 minutes from Virginia was Lake Braddock senior Alex Clark in 14th place at a time of 15:52.49.
Girls 5K - James Robinson's Stephanie Bray continues to excel with some of her best performances yet as a senior. Bray, who earned All-State honors indoor in the 3200 meter run with a season best time of 11:15 at the AAA State Meet, followed that performance up with a personal best 5000 meter run of 18:33.13 (previous best of 18:45 in XC) to place 12th in a field of 26 at the NY Armory.
Boys SMR - Out of the slowest and first section of 6, the James Robinson boys won their section with a time of 3:35.39 and the time ended up holding up to place them sixth overall and earn All-American honors in the event. Robinson was anchored on the 800 meter leg by Jared Berman, a 4:18 miler.
Girls 60m Prelims - Tanay Chandler will be advancing onto the semis as the Nansemond River senior and AAA 55 meter dash state runner-up won her heat in 7.71, which ranks her fifth fastest among all qualifiers.
Boys 60H Prelims - Two Virginians made it onto the next round in the 60 meter hurdles with Northwest Region champ Reynaldo Radlin of North Stafford winning his heat in the sixth fastest clocking overall at 8.17. Radlin has a strong chance to make it onto the finals and a shot at aa top 6 All-American finish. Meanwhile, Group AA state 55 meter hurdles runner-up Dante Davis of Louisa County was one of the final qualifiers on time with a 8.31 clocking (15th overall).
Girls Shot Put - AAA state shot put champion Jaleesa Williams of First Colonial was just off the mark from earning All-American honors with her throw of 42'8", which placed her 7th overall in the event.
Girls Long Jump - Also placing high in the long jump along with event champion Tynita Butts were Henrico's Elaine Derricott (7th, 18'5") and Grassfield's Karimah Shepherd (8th, 18'1.75"). Both Derricott and Shepherd would have easily earned All-American honors if they had achieved a mark closer to their season bests.