Team Virginia made the most of Friday's action up at New Balance Nationals but for the most part it was not enough and many individuals and teams are looking for redemption the final two days. Friday did have some VA winners though.
Starting things off in a big way for VA was Jalani Davis (Bethel) throwing an impressive 42-10.25 throw on her sixth and final attempt to win the Emerging Elite Girls Shot Put competition.
Also winning on the field for Virginia was Caleb Coles of Amherst taking the Boys high jump. He won the competition with his 6-7 clearance which he cleared on his first attempt. He would go on to be the only guy to clear that height and win the competition with that huge PR.
Then came the running events and even though it was just the EE races, VA definitely still showed out. The Bruins of Western Branch took home the 4x200 (Girls) in 1:40.13 out of the first section and they were followed by the Highland Spring Springers taking the guys' 4x2 in 1:30.12 out of the second section.
Also finishing well in that boys' 4x200 was Western Branch in third, Tallwood in fourth, and LCA in 8th.
Then onto the Championship events we went. Ryann Helmers began those races in a strong way and finished an All-American third in the 5K running 17:03. Blacksburg's Kaitlynn Wolfe was 8th in 17:23.
In the championship field events it was John Handley's Taylor Beard taking home All-American honors with her 4th place finish. She achieved that superb mark thanks to her 5-7 clearance in a jam-packed high jump competition.
Finally closing out competition for Friday were the Loudoun Valley Vikings. Though they did not run the time they had desired, they did still finish in 10:00.58 for third place. That time breaks Albemarle's 10:02.13 State Record.
Colton Bogucki ran 3:00.41, Akere Simms ran 50.97, Connor Wells ran 1:55.84, and Sam Affolder anchored in 4:13.36.