Last year, a talented group of seniors led Albemarle to a top finish at the Group AAA championship. And behind another outstanding showing from a pair of seniors, the Patriots were able to follow up their 2009 championship with a fourth place finish, coming just one point shy of earning third.
But it was tough sledding early on for the Patriots.
“It was a real disappointing start,” said Albemarle coach Buzz Male. “We went down with the idea that we could win and score 50 points and I told the kids, anyone who wasn’t going there to win shouldn’t get on the bus. But on Friday, we didn’t get any points.”
However, Saturday was a different story.
“We had a long talk Friday night at the motel,” Male said. “They were real excited today.”
Albemarle senior Anthony Kostelac added a few more medals to an already overflowing running resume with his performance.
The future UVA runner took first place in the 1600 meter run by more than 1.7 seconds by completing the race in 4:18.28, holding off Blake Theroux of Western Branch for top honors. He followed up the long distance race with another win, this time taking the 1000 also by more than a second, running the race in 2:30.20. And as the anchor, he and fellow teammates Mark Baucom, Rowen Perry and Even Karweik were able to post the schools second straight top-ten finish in the 4×800 relay with a combined time of 8:14.80.
Also for the second straight year, senior Jordan Hill showcased his athleticism with his second place showing in the long jump by flying 22 feet and one and three quarter inches. He also earned a fourth place finish in the high jump, earning the spot with his leap of six feet and three inches. Hill rounded out the day with another top-ten finish in the triple jump, taking ninth place with his combined jump of 45 feet and two inches. Hill was also a member of the Patriots’ 4×400 relay team that came away with eighth place. Along with Jervon Speller, Tori Key and Mark Baucom, the team came in at 3:30.54.
Making Hill’s weekend all the more remarkable was that he had not competed since December because of an ankle injury.
“Thank god he got his qualifying times in December,” said Male. “Jordan’s just a great sprinter and jumper, one of the best that I’ve ever coached.”
Western Branch earned the top spot as a team. The Patriots edged the Bruins last year by six points.
