Stories

Louisa girls win title

Zion Crossroads

By Liz Keller / Scrimmageplaycva.com contributor

PALMYRA — Louisa County’s girls track team outdistanced Fluvanna County to capture the Conference 23 title on a hot day at the FCHS stadium.

The Lions garnered 146.50 points thanks in large part to dominant performances in the relays and field events.

Louisa’s 4×100 relay team of Brandy Brown, Kavia Terry, Aaliyah Clark and Shadelle Gregory took top honors as did its 4×400 relay team, consisting of Victoria Finn, Julia Ward, Amari Quarles and Kiana Richardson. The Lions’ 4×800 team, made up of Ward, Finn, Hope Matkins and Katelyn Wilson, finished second behind Harrisonburg.

Brown, a sophomore, also won the long jump, posting a personal-best jump of 19 feet, 4 inches. Teammate Clark finished second, followed by Fluvanna’s Autumn Shepherd. Brown continued her stellar outing with a win in the triple jump (34-09.5).

Fluvanna County collected 136 points on the day to finish ahead of third-place Harrisonburg. For the Flucos, Julianna Elliott claimed multiple titles in the shot put and discus while Matasha Martin won the 100-meter hurdles and finished second in the high jump. Fluvanna continued to perform well in the field events, as Avery Haislip cleared 10-0 to win the pole vault, followed by teammate Erin Blackburn (9-0). Louisa’s Madison and Morgan Smith were third and fourth, respectively.

Fluvanna’s Kristen Cabrera took top honors in the 1600 meters, winning in a time of 5:34.36. Saige Haney finished third in the event, followed by teammate Haley Kennedy. Cabrera also finished second in the 800.

Charlottesville’s Taylor Watkins shined once again, capturing three titles in the 100, 200 and 400. Watkins, a senior who will continue her track career at VCU, easily separated herself from her competitors to prevail in all three events. Her win in the 400 (57.19) came after the meet was delayed briefly due to lightning in the area. Louisa’s Quarles and Finn were second and third, respectively.

“I’m super excited to wrap up the year, said Watkins, shortly after ending her day with a win in the 200. “It’s been four years and I’m ready to move to the next level. I want to be able to walk off after the 400 and not be tired anymore. I’m sad because it’s almost all over. But at the same time, I’ve done a lot in high school and come so far.”

Boys Conference 23 Track

On the boys side, John Handley’s Dontae Mauck won five events to propel the Judges to the crown. Mauck garnered top honors in the 100 and 200 meters as well as the triple jump, long jump and high jump as Handley finished ahead of Amherst and Louisa County. Charlottesville was fourth, followed by Fluvanna County.

Local highlights included Louisa’s Josh Bishop, who won the 400 and teamed with Josh Grady, Thomas Frierson and Nathaniel Whitby to win the 4×400 meter relay. Bishop, Whitby, Grady and Justice Anderson were second behind Harrisonburg in the 4×800 relay. Charlottesville’s 4×100 relay team made up of Tariq Carrington, Hannibal Reid, Zaire Tutt and Jaron White won in a time of 44.47.

Warren Riley Covert was a multiple event winner for the Black Knights, taking the top spot both the 1600 and 3200 meters.

Other notable performances included Fluvanna’s Matheus Jonkman, who cleared 13-0 to win the pole vault and Louisa’s Pierre Richardson, who won the discus.

Qualifying athletes advance to the regional meet at Woodgrove on May 28.

Louisa

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