State track notes: Grassfield's first-year program and freshman runner have arrived already

NEWPORT NEWS |

Grassfield High, which opened last fall, had an impressive debut at the state outdoor meet, finishing runner-up in the girls team competition behind Landstown. The Grassfield boys finished 19th overall.

Grassfield celebrated its first state champion when freshman Amanda Smith came from behind to win the 800 meters in 2 minutes, 15.82 seconds. Smith trailed early when she got boxed in by several runners.

“I was just trying to go out there and run my race,” she said. “I just kind of followed the pack and made my move in the last 100, and it worked.” Grizzlies girls coach J.P. Banks said Smith made a “freshman mistake” but he was thrilled that she won.

Getting boxed in ''happens to a new runner because she’s never been in that situation before,” he said. “She’s always used to being the frontrunner.”

But Banks was all smiles when he accepted the runner-up trophy. “These kids have stuck with us the entire year and they never gave up,” said Banks, who left Great Bridge High School to begin the Grassfield program.

Curtis Campbell, a junior, led the Grassfield boys, placing third in the 200 and fourth in the 400.

Pole vaulter Kelly gives King’s Fork its first title

Junior pole vaulter Allen Kelly became the first state champion in King’s Fork High’s five-year existence when he won the pole vault at 14-9. Kelly beat Deep Run’s Matthew Armentrout, the defending champion, in a jump-off to seal the deal.

“It’s really exciting and now I’ve got one,” he said of his title.

Bookers girls finish third, adding to coach’s big day

Booker T. Washington’s DeShana Briggs and the Bookers gave coach Yolanda Penn a wonderful birthday present. Briggs won the high jump with a leap of 5-8 and the Bookers placed third overall as a team.

“I felt I could win it,” said Briggs, who also won the high jump at the state indoor meet. “And I did it for myself but I also did it for coach Penn on her birthday because she knew I had it in me.”

Going into the final event of the day the Bookers did not know they were so close to getting a trophy. That’s when Penn went to the 1,600 relay team to let them know.

“I talked to them and they said, 'We got you coach,’” said Penn, who turned 25. “We had a lot of people doubting our program but those girls believed in the program, in the coaches and in themselves.”

Spellman makes it four shot-put titles in a row

Oscar Smith senior Frede Spellman won his fourth consecutive state shot-put title with a throw of 57 feet.

“I’m proud of what I did but I’m not in awe,” said Spellman, who also finished seventh in the discus.

Spellman has signed with Norfolk State. “They won the MEAC the past four years,” he said. “And it’s close to home.”

NSU coach Kenneth Giles said he’s ecstatic to have Spellman.

“He’s been the best in the state the last two years,” Giles said, “and he’s proved he can make an immediate impact on the Division I level.”

Larry Rubama, (757) 446-2273 or larry.rubama@pilotonline.com