The Russell Blunt East Coast Invitational is being this weekend down at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina and the meet has attracted some of Virginia's top sprint and jump stars as the summer heats up for those competing onto the USATF National Junior Olympics next week in Greensboro.
A trio of Virginia girls have went under 12 seconds (the most in any meet this season) this past weekend at Russell Blunt with Keilah Tyson at 11.89 in her preliminary round, while Tania Minkins of Menchville at 11.93 and Shakeela Saunders of Great Bridge at 11.97 ran their fastest in the semifinal heats with personal best clockings.
The girls' triple jump has produced some strong marks as well with Menchville's Chaneka Perry (pictured right by Ted Plunkett) besting several accomplished athletes to win the young women's triple jump in her first mark over 40 feet at 40'1.25". Perry is headed to VCU in the fall. Tanisha Carney just completed her freshmen year of high school at St. Catherine's and came out with a significant PR of 38'4.75" in the triple jump at Duke to place second in the intermediate girls division.
Grassfield's Jazmen Townsend has been Virginia's top performer in the 200 meter dash and long jump at the event as the rising senior was the fourth fastest heading into Sunday's 200 meter dash finals at 24.98 and also won the long jump earlier in the meet with a mark of 18'11.25.
Taylor Sykes of Great Bridge, a Nike All-American at 400 meters, will be going for gold in Sunday's finals of the 400 meter dash after running a solid opener of 47.69 in the prelims to advance on as the fastest qualifier.