Western Branch boys win Class 6 indoor track title, Kecoughtan boys crowned in Class 5

VIRGINIA BEACH — Western Branch’s Antonio Smith and Kecoughtan’s Jaymes Saunders came into the state indoor track and field meet Tuesday wanting to lead their respective teams to titles.

And the seniors did just that.

Smith 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 help lead the Bruins to the Class 6 title. He also ran on the 4×400 relay that placed third.

“My goal was to contribute to each and every event they gave me, and at least make the finals in each one, and then score points,” he said. “I’m just doing it for my team so we can get the state title.”

The Bruins also got help from others, including Micah Hinton, who finished runner-up in the 55 hurdles and was fourth in both the 55 meters and high jump. He also ran on the 4×400 relay. James Craig was runner-up in the shot put, and Gregory Taylor was sixth in the long jump.

It also was a busy day for Saunders, who won the high jump (clearing 6 feet, 6 inches) and was third in both the 55 hurdles and long jump to help lead the Warriors to the Class 5 title. Daniel Danner was runner-up in the 500, Chazden Wilson was third in the high jump, Kellen LaRoche was seventh in the high jump, Antione Lawrence was eighth in the shot put and Tremayne Cowart was eighth in the 500.

For the Warriors, it was their second title as they also won the state outdoor title last spring, which was the program’s first.

On the girls’ side, Kellam finished third in Class 5. James River of Midlothian was the champion.

The Knights were led by distance runner Jane Phillips, who until this school year had never won an individual state title. But in the fall she won the Class 5 state cross country title, and followed that up with state titles in the 1,000 (2:57.61) and 1,600 (5:00.56).

“This is my first indoor states ever because I was injured last year and I couldn’t do it the year before,” said Phillips, who also teamed with Eve Constantineau, Myriam Garrouteigt and Ellis Cannon to help the Knights finish third in the 4×800 relay. “I had goals to just (get personal records), which I did. It feels pretty good. I honestly just ran scared, but it worked.”

The Knights also got points from Olivia Vaughan, who was fifth in the high jump, sixth in the 55 hurdles and seventh in the long jump. Alexis McCue was third in the pole vault, and Jeanise Sales was fourth in the long jump.

Many other Hampton Roads athletes brought home state titles, including several who were multi-winners.

Indian River sprinter Brianna Selby, who has an NIL deal with New Balance, broke her state record in the 55 meters (6.76). She also won the 300 in 39.66 seconds.

“My goal was to (run a personal record) in the 55 meters, and I wanted to break my record again,” said Selby, who signed to run track for Southern California. “The 300, I wasn’t actually prepared for it. I just had to run my best. I felt great even though I knew my time wasn’t going to be what I wanted it to be.”

Grassfield sophomore Sophie Rambo defended her Class 6 title in the 300 (38.41) and also won the 500 (1:11.76).

“It was a little bit of pressure, but I knew I could do it,” Rambo said about defending her title. “I just wanted to execute like I did last year.”

Bayside junior Andrew Salvodon ran the 500 meters in a blistering time of 1:02.90 to win his first state title. His time was a meet record and the fourth-fastest recorded time in the nation this season.

“Honestly, I’ve put in a lot of work, and my coach has been helping me, so I did believe I could win the state,” said Salvodon, who teamed with LaPatrick Bridges, Halim Hardnett and Camir Croom to set a meet record in the 4×400 relay (3:23.01).

Other winners:

• Hickory senior Kerrigan Kimener won the Class 5 girls pole vault (12 feet).

• Bethel senior Kristopher Stephens won the Class 5 long jump (22-0¾).

• Tallwood senior Landon Walker won the Class 5 boys pole vault (13-0).

• Maury senior LaVontay Bond set a meet record in the 300 meters (33.56) in Class 5.

• Grassfield senior Garett Boe won the Class 6 boys pole vault (15-6).

King’s Fork senior Taylor Jennings-Ward finished runner-up in the girls 500 and also ran on the victorious 4×400 relay with Andrea Watkins, Rhea Barnes and Zayre Floyd in Class 5.

Oscar Smith’s 4×400 boys relay of Jahmari Deloatch, Alvin Jones, Chadison Cowan and Jeryll Gaines won the Class 6 title.

In the race of the day, Ocean Lakes senior Lambert Edigin lost to Clover Hill senior Caleb Wilcox by three-thousandths of a second in the 1,000 meters in Class 5.

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