Region track notes: Girls 800 was tough race for Grassfield coach to watch

NEWPORT NEWS

Grassfield track coach J.P. Banks had mixed feelings Saturday as he watched the 800 meters at the Eastern Region meet.

The reason: Banks saw freshman Amanda Smith go head- to- head against Great Bridge senior Jayna McGehee. 

Banks coached McGehee for three seasons at Great Bridge before taking the job at Grassfield, a new high school in Chesapeake, this past fall.

“I thought Jayna would be the biggest threat to Amanda because she has good speed,” Banks said. “But it was tough because I think a lot of Jayna. She’s the sweetest girl I know and she’s a fine competitor.”

Smith ended up beating McGehee. Her winning time of 2 minutes, 13.25 seconds is the second-fastest time in the state this season. McGehee finished in a time of 2:17.62.

“It was tough to watch but I’m happy for both girls,” he said. “I just hope (McGehee) runs the 1,600 next week at state.” 

King's Fork's Ricks has to settle for 200 win without revenge 

King’s Fork senior Keith Ricks was hoping to settle a score with Green Run’s Dejor Simmons as the two sprinters lined up for the 200 meters.

Simmons beat Ricks earlier in the day in the 100 meters when he ran 10.48 to successfully defend his region title. Ricks wanted revenge but it never happened because Simmons false started in the 200. Ricks went on to win the race in a time of 21.84.

“It’s OK because I’m just excited about the state meet,” said Ricks, who is the only sprinter in the state to be ranked in the top 10 in the 100, 200 and 400. “I think I can win in the 100, 200 or 400.”

Ricks isn’t being cocky just confident. Each week he faces a talented group of sprinters in the Southeastern District. The district has five of the top eight runners in the 100, four of the top six in the 200 and three of the top nine in the 400.

“If I can run with these guys,” he said, “than I can run with anyone in the state.”

With region title in tow, Oscar Smith's Smith looks to repeat as state champ

Oscar Smith’s Wesley Smith repeated in the long jump.

He won the event with a leap of 23-2. Now he’ll try to defend his state title next week.

“I feel confident because now I know what it takes to be a state champion,” he said. “I just have to stay focused and not get rattled by the competition.”

Smith will enter the state meet as the No. 1 seed after he jumped a state-best 24-5 ½ earlier this season. Last year, he won the state title with a leap of 23-8 ½.

Great Bridge's Vogler goes from fifth to first in final discus throw

Great Bridge thrower Robbie Vogler saved his best for last.

Vogler, a senior, was in fifth place in the discus competition when he uncorked a throw of 141-5 on his final attempt to win the event. His throw was nearly three feet better than his personal-best performance.

“When I released it, I just felt like everything came together,” he said. “I just knew it was a good throw.”

Vogler, who will compete for Liberty University next season, said the key was staying relaxed, which was something he learned the past several weeks.

He’ll try the same approach this week at the state meet.

“I’m going to try and have fun,” he said. “I’m probably not going to be ranked high. So I’ll just go in there and try to finish with a bang.”’

Maury's Davenport out to end Eastern District drought in state 3,200

Maury sophomore Brian Davenport will be trying to end a long Eastern District drought next week when he competes in the 3,200 meters at next week’s state meet.

Davenport will try to become the first district runner since 2001 to place in the 3,200 meters. Churchland’s Pat Comstock did it last when he placed third in 2001.

Davenport advanced to the state meet when he ran 9:49.65 to place fourth at the Eastern Region meet, becoming the first district runner to advance to state in that event since 2003.

He did it by jumping out to an early lead in the first 1,600 meters and then holding on.

“I just wanted to get out front but when I got up there, there was nobody around me,” he said.

The front runners eventually caught up to Davenport.

“I just tried to keep up as much as I could,” he said. “It’s been awhile since I had competition because the distance events aren’t as competitive in the Eastern District.”

That’s different for Davenport who moved to Norfolk from Northern Virginia during the indoor track season.

AROUND THE TRACK

  Kellam junior Bobby Peavey was a double winner at the region meet. He ran a season-best 4:18.56 to win the 1,600 meters and ran 9:32.70 to win the 3,200. . . . Churchland junior Tiffany Harris had a great meet. She won the long jump with a personal-best jump of 19-1 and won the 200 meters in 25.08. She also placed runner-up in the 400. . . . The Ocean Lakes boys track team continues to impress as the Dolphins placed second in the meet. They were led by sophomore Justin Hunter who finished runner-up in the high jump (6-8) and long jump (23-0). Senior Caleb Doan also contributed by placing third in the 3,200 and fifth in the 1,600.