Beach District track: An emotional victory for Ocean Lakes boys

VIRGINIA BEACH

Hearts have been heavy for the Ocean Lakes boys track team following the death of their beloved  coach, Ed Lowery,  last month after a two-year battle with lymphoma.

But the Dolphins brought some joy to everyone connected to the  team on Thursday when they rallied to win the school’s first  Beach District outdoor title.

The Dolphins did it with a  team effort. They wracked up 138 points to hold off Green Run, which finished with 118 . Host Landstown was third with 90.

Landstown did come away with a title as the girls scored 209 to claim their  second championship in three seasons. Bayside was second with 106 points and First Colonial was third with 81.

The Eagles’ title wasn’t a surprise, but Ocean Lakes’ might have raised a few eyebrows.

.

Lowery had dreamed of building a championship team and it finally came together, even though he wasn’t able to see it in person. But his son, Chaz, and wife, Nikki, were in attendance to cheer on the Dolphins.

“Being back out here, it was like everything just flashed back in my mind,” said Chaz, an Ocean Lakes freshman. “I thought back to the long hours of being with my dad, and there was no other place I’d rather be. And when he came to Ocean Lakes, he wanted to make a program. Obviously, he has.”

T.J. Cowart said winning the title was a dream come true.

“I’m really happy for his wife and his son,” said Cowart, who was third in the triple jump and fourth in the 100. “It’s just a good feeling because when he passed it was sadness, but this is a great relief.”

The Dolphins got a huge performance from sophomore Justin Hunter. He won the high jump (6-8) and triple jump (45-7½ ), and was second in the long jump (22-9).

Ocean Lakes also scored big  in the distance events. Brothers Caleb and Conor Doan and Drew Paisley led the way . Caleb finished second in the 1,600 and 3,200, while Conor was third and Paisley was fourth in both races.

“It’s been a storybook ending and things just came together,” said Dolphins first-year coach Chris Scott, who replaced Lowery this season. “I’m just happy for the kids because they made it special for him. He had given them so much, and they were able to give back to him.”

Landstown dominated the girls meet  from start to finish. Taylor Wheaton finished second in the high jump and was fourth in the triple jump. She also won the 300 hurdles (44.58) and was runner-up in the 100 hurdles. Ashleigh Jones won the discus and was second in the shot put. Jessica Williams was second in the discus and third in the shot.

The Eagles also got help from sprinter Marlena Wesh, who won the 100 (11.92) and 200 (24.06).

Other double winners included Kellam distance runner Bobby Peavey (1,600 and 3,200), Green Run sprinter Dejor Simmons (100 and 200) and Tallwood distance runner Octavia Rinehardt (1,600 and 3,200).