Photo by Brian Hoffman
Lord Botetourt and James River track teams found the surface to their liking as the boys and girls inaugurated the new track in Daleville last week, then the LB girls competed on another new track at Liberty Christian Academy in Lynchburg.
Lord Botetourt, James River and Parry McCluer ran a meet on the new LB track last Wednesday and there were rave reviews for the new surface. The Botetourt Unified team, for special athletes, also participated in the meet.
“That made it all worthwhile, to see the smiling faces of the special needs kids,” said LB boys coach Jamie Harless. “That was the highlight of the meet for me. Everything ran smoothly, and it was nice to see two county schools on the new track.”
First places for James River in the meet included Gavin Binns in the 100 and 200, Aiden Bartulis in the 800 and Ryder Ward in the high jump for the boys. For the girls, Kai Binns won the 100 and 200, Drew Whitson won the 800 and Naveah Van Buren mopped up with wins in the long jump, triple jump, high jump and discus.
The highlight for LB was Kendal Howard breaking schools records in the shot, at 53’10”, and the discus, at 175’ 10”.
On Friday the LB girls team traveled to LCA for the “Bulldog Under the Lights” meet.
“LCA has a new track and their facilities are beautiful,” said LB coach Michelle Gantzhorn. “The girls did amazing despite the gusty winds and cold temps. For a first meet it was run very well, especially for how many teams were there. I am looking forward to running there in the future.”
Over 20 teams were in the meet and among the highlights for LB was a fifth place finish in the triple jump and a sixth in the 100m hurdles by Jillian Harris, who competed despite being ill for most of the week. Anne Thorne took ninth in the 800.
Alicia Holmes had personal records in the 100m with a time of 13.69 and the 400m with a time of 1:09.87, while Madeleine Gantzhorn PR’d in the 200m with a time of 28.99. Other girls who had personal bests were Meredith Allen in the 1,600, Janai Compton in the 400, Ratie Jensen in both the 100 and 300 hurdles as well as the high jump, Emily Maddox in the 800, Anna Moore in both hurdle races and Alina Poudel in the 1,600.
“The girls are growing each day and every milestone is a major achievement,” said Gantzhorn. “As their coach I could not be prouder.”
The girls were scheduled to run at William Byrd on Wednesday of this week. On Saturday the girls are at Northside and the boys will be in Abingdon.
