NEWPORT NEWS — Kecoughtan High is trying to build a track dynasty. The Warriors are headed in the right direction after winning their second consecutive Class 5 state outdoor title Saturday.
It’s actually the program’s third state title in a row because the Warriors also won the state indoor title this past winter season.
“That means we’re putting Kecoughtan on the map. We want people to know about Kecoughtan,” said Warriors sprinter Daniel Danner. “We work hard every day and every practice. This is part of what our brand is. This is who we are. We have a diverse group of guys and they all work hard. At the end of the day, that’s what matters.”
Grassfield’s girls are also building something special. It helps when you have a runner as talented as Sophie Rambo. The sophomore swept the sprint events, winning the 100 (11.80), 200 (24.06) and 400 (53.58) to lead the Grizzlies to the Class 6 state title.
“It means everything. We came up short last outdoor season. We’ve been just getting back into rhythm and putting in the hard work all season, it really paid off,” said Rambo, who has now won seven individual titles in her young career. “Everybody contributed. It was just a team effort. We all came together when it mattered and performed well.”
Kecoughtan scored 41 points in jumping events, led by senior Chazden Wilson, who cleared 6-foot-6 to win the high jump. Kellen LaRoche tied for second in the event and senior Jaymes Saunders was fifth.
LaRoche also finished runner-up in the long jump and Saunders was fourth. Saunders also placed fourth in the triple jump and was sixth in the 110 hurdles.
The Warriors also were successful on the track, including junior Tremayne Cowart, who ran 1:56.96 to finish runner-up in the 800.
“This is my first year running track and I knew I could do it,” said Cowart, who also ran with Jashoua Thomas, Jeremiah Cody and Danner to finish runner-up in the 4×800. “It feels amazing. It means so much.”
The Warriors finished the meet in dramatic fashion.
With the team title already wrapped up, they trailed Massaponax by nearly 50 meters in the 4×400 relay heading into the last leg.
Danner wouldn’t be denied. He started to close the lead in the first 100 meters. Then with about 100 to go, he passed the leader to bring home the victory as the team of Danner, Cowart, Gabriel Mason and Evan Adams won the event in 3:18.12.
“I knew I could catch him because I wanted to catch him,” said Danner, who also placed fifth in the 400. “If you put your mind to it, it can happen. All you have to do is execute. That’s what coach wanted me to do. I knew that’s what I needed to do. So I did it for the team.”
Kecoughtan's 4×400 relay team of
Tremayne Cowart, Gabriel Mason, Evan Adams and Daniel Danner run 3:18.12 as the Warriors clinch their second consecutive Class 5 state title. It included Danner's amazing anchor leg. He was behind by nearly 50 meters. pic.twitter.com/zcReZTT9Xi— Larry Rubama (@LHRubama) June 1, 2024
For Grassfield, Rambo didn’t have any specific times that she wanted to run.
“I just wanted to get first and score some points,” she said.
Grassfield's Sophie Rambo runs 53.58 to win 400 at the Class 6 state track meet pic.twitter.com/kszL2WlwtV
— Larry Rubama (@LHRubama) June 1, 2024
The Grizzlies also got help from senior sprinter Loreena Manser and junior thrower Kaitlyn Bullock. Manser finished runner-up in the 200 and fourth in the 100. Bullock won the shot put (43-3) and was second in the discus.
In Class 5 girls, L.C. Bird won the title followed by Independence and Albemarle. Maury was fourth and Kellam was sixth.
The Commodores were led by junior Bria Byrd, who was runner-up in the long jump and third in the 300 hurdles. Zamonie Askew was fourth in the 100, Christine Fitzgerald was fourth in the 400 and Shyla Cooper was seventh in the 100 hurdles.
The Knights were led by senior Jane Phillips. Coming into her final year, Phillips had never won an individual state title. She graduates with five. She won the state cross country title in the fall, and the 1,000 and 1,600 at state indoors. She added two more with victories in the 800 (2:13.36) and 1,600 (5:04.58) on Saturday.
Kellam senior Jane Phillips runs 5:04.58 to win 1,600 meters at the Class 5 state meet. pic.twitter.com/sCqVxlL9iJ
— Larry Rubama (@LHRubama) June 1, 2024
In Class 6 boys, West Springfield won the boys title. Western Branch finished runner-up and Grassfield was fourth.
The Bruins were led by seniors Antonio Smith and Micah Hinton, who teamed to score 25 points in the hurdle events. Smith finished runner-up in the 110 hurdles and third in the 300 hurdles. Hinton was third in the 110 hurdles and fourth in the 300.
Smith also placed seventh in the triple jump, while Hinton was fourth in the triple jump and fifth in the 100.
There were several other outstanding performers:
** Oscar Smith sophomore Shakayla Lavender won the 100 hurdles (13.66) and 300 hurdles (42.59) and finished seventh in the 200 in Class 6.
Oscar Smith sophomore Shakayla Lavender wins 100 hurdles at Class 6 state track meet pic.twitter.com/y2zqQmAc0G
— Larry Rubama (@LHRubama) June 1, 2024
** Western Branch senior Grace Wager won the discus (150-0) in Class 6.
** Hickory’s Kerrigan Kimener won the pole vault (12-6) in Class 5.
** Bayside junior Andrew Salvodon won the 400 (47.19) in Class 5.
Bayside junior Andrew Salvodon
runs 47.19 to win 400 meters at Class 5 state meet. pic.twitter.com/P7Sw5iUBLF— Larry Rubama (@LHRubama) June 1, 2024
** Tallwood senior Landon Walker won the pole vault (14-0) in Class 5.
** Maury junior LeBron Bond finished runner-up in the 100 and 200.
Class 4 state
**Phoebus senior Isaiah Hayes won the 110 hurdles (13.94 seconds) and finished second in the 300 hurdles, and senior Paul Stephen Davis won the 400 (49.38) to help the Phantoms finish runner-up in the team standings. Davis, Jeremiah Hines, Siyon Bunch and Malikai Mitchell were on the victorious 4×400 relay.
**Smithfield senior Marcus Glanville won the 300 hurdles (38.60).
**Warhill junior Maximus Schill won the boys discus (159 feet, 2 inches).
**Manor freshman Leah Williams won the girls discus (125-5).
**Churchland’s Jazmen Bright, Bria Reese, Jaydah Howell and Triniti Desince won the girls 4×400 (49.09).
**Jamestown’s Raini Mayo, Claire Bauer, Emily Dahl and Kylie Brooks won the 4×800 relay (9:26.58).
STATE CHAMPIONS!
Congratulations Raini Mayo, Claire Bauer, Emily Dahl, and Kylie Brooks on winning the Class 4 State Championship in the 4×800 Relay!
Go Eagles! pic.twitter.com/80nRrgtnJg
— Jamestown Athletics (@JHSAthletics) May 31, 2024
Class 3 state
**Lafayette junior Tristin Harris won the boys triple jump (47-11).
**Norcom junior Jaylin Roberts won the girls 300 hurdles (44.84).
Class 2 state
** Bruton junior Jayden Curry helped lead the Panthers to the title. Curry won the 1,600 (4:16.97) was second in both the 800 and high jump, and third in the 400. Senior Nehemiah Barnett won the high jump (6-6) and junior Quinn Marcinek was runner-up in the 110 hurdles and eighth in the 300 hurdles.
**Poquoson senior Baker Green won the boys 100- (11.22) and 200-meter dashes (22.08).
**Poquoson senior Evan Harris won the boys pole vault (12-0).
Larry Rubama, 757-575-6449, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com
