757Teamz track & field preview: Kecoughtan boys, Western Branch boys look to add another team title

Storylines

Kecoughtan goes for a three-peat

Last spring the Warriors won the state outdoor title, which was the first in program history. They added a second state title last month when they won the Class 5 indoor title. They have the athletes to defend their outdoor title with jumper/hurdler Jaymes Saunders, sprinters Daniel Danner and Tremayne Cowart, high jumpers Chazden Wilson and Kellen LaRoche, and thrower Antione Lawrence.

Western Branch boys hope to continue dominance

Since 2014, the Bruins have won four state outdoor titles and finished runner-up four times, including last season. The last time they won a state outdoor title was 2019. The Bruins hope to add another state to go with the one they won at the state indoor meet last month. Leading the way are seniors Antonio Smith and Micah Hinton, who compete in the jumps, hurdles and sprints. They also have jumper Gregory Taylor and thrower James Craig.

Grassfield girls try for outdoor title

Grassfield won the Class 6 state indoor title in 2023, but finished runner-up at the state outdoor meet last spring and finished fourth at the state indoor meet last month. The Grizzlies will be led by sensational sophomore sprinter Sophie Rambo, sprinter Loreena Manser, distance runner Noelle Braun and thrower Kaitlyn Bullock.

Kellam girls look to follow success from indoor

The Knights hope to improve on their third-place finish at last month’s Class 5 state indoor meet. They will be led by distance runners Jane Phillips, Eve Constantineau, Myriam Garrouteigt and Ellis Cannon, pole vaulter Alexis McCue, jumper Jeanise Sales and senior Olivia Vaughan, who competes in the jump and hurdles.

Other contenders

Several individuals won state titles during indoor season and will try to repeat at the state outdoor meet. They include Hickory pole vaulter Kerrigan Kimener, Bethel long jumper Kristopher Stephens, Tallwood pole vaulter Landon Walker, Grassfield pole vaulter Garett Boe, Warhill sprinter Josh Martin and Jamestown distance runner Jeffrey Linton.

Five girls athletes you should know

Brianna Selby, Indian River: Selby, a senior, had an amazing indoor campaign as she won the 60 meters at the New Balance Indoor Nationals meet in Boston and won the 55 and 300 at the Class 5 state indoor meet. Her winning time of 7.19 seconds in the 60 meters set a meet record and is the fastest time in the nation by a high schooler this season. Selby, who has an NIL deal with New Balance, will run for Southern California next school year.

Sophie Rambo, Grassfield: Rambo, a sophomore, won the 300 (38.41) and 500 (1:11.76) at the Class 6 state indoor meet. Her time in the 500 was a new meet record and is the fastest recorded time in the nation this season. Her time in the 300 is 10th nationally.

Jane Phillips, Kellam: Phillips, a senior, goes for the trifecta this outdoor season. She’s already won the Class 5 cross country title, and followed that up with state titles in the 1,000 (2:57.61) and 1,600 (5:00.56) this past indoor season. She also runs on the 4×800, which placed third at the state indoor meet.

Destini Gatling, Deep Creek: Gatling, a freshman, finished runner-up in the high jump, third in the 55 and 10th in the long jump at the Class 5 state indoor meet.

Shakayla Lavender, Oscar Smith: Lavender, a sophomore, tries to defend her title in the 100 hurdles and 300 hurdles. She also placed sixth in the 200 at last season’s state outdoor meet. She placed second in the 55 hurdles and fourth in the 300 at the recent state indoor meet.

Five boys athletes you should know

Antonio Smith, Western Branch: Smith, a senior, won the 55-meter hurdles (7.32 seconds), placed fourth in the 300, sixth in the triple jump, seventh in the high jump and eighth in the long jump to lead the Bruins to the Class 6 indoor title. He also ran on the 4×400 relay that placed third.

Micah Hinton, Western Branch: Hinton, a senior, finished runner-up in the 55 hurdles and was fourth in both the 55 meters and high jump at the Class 6 state indoor meet.

Jaymes Saunders, Kecoughtan: Saunders, a senior, won the high jump (6-6) and was third in both the 55 hurdles and long jump to help lead the Warriors to the Class 5 state indoor title.

Andrew Salvodon, Bayside: Salvodon, a junior, won the 500 at the Class 5 state indoor meet in a time of of 1:02.90, which was the fourth-fastest recorded time in the nation this season. Last season he ran 47.94 seconds to finish third in the 400, but he’s got a good chance to challenge the state record of 46.55.

LaVontay Bond, Maury: Bond, a senior, set a meet record in the 300 meters in a time of 33.56, the fifth-fastest recorded time in the nation this season.

Larry Rubama, 757-575-6449, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com