DF Boys, DR Girls On Top

by Stephen M. Lewis
DigitalSports Richmond

There was a Central Region track and field preview Wednesday at Deep Run High School.

Teams from each of the four districts competed, 25 in all (13 boys and 12 girls teams), at the state qualifying Deep Run Invitational.

So it may be a good omen that Douglas Freeman's boys and Deep Run's girls won by a comfortable margin.

BOYS

The standout of the day was Freeman senior Michael Quash.

He took the 110- (14.63) and 300-meter hurdles (38.06), and the 200 dash (22.34) in impressive fashion.

No one really threatened him as Quash confirmed that's he's close to championship form, but still getting his body used to the longer races as opposed to indoors.

"I've had some of my best times so far," Quash said. "I PR'd in the 300-meter hurdles and I felt really good in the 200 after coming off of the 300 hurdles."

Quash had some help from teammates taking blue ribbons, like Chris Woody in the 1,600 (4:33.86), Ulrick Smith in the 400 (48.60) and the 1,600 and 3,200 relay teams.

Coach Sherry Edwards' Rebels look deep and talented enough to pair an outdoor region crown with their indoor one back in February if their 52-point victory Wednesday was any indication.

Deep Run's guys finished second behind outstanding pole vaulter Matthew Armentrout (13-6) and high jump champ Feild Craddock (6-0).

Look out for Lee-Davis, who finished third Wednesday. Led by terrific leaper Antonio Puller and middle distance man Robert Reynolds, the Confederates have firepower to steal some points.

Reynolds took the 800 in a slim victory over Freeman's Lewis McPherson. Puller finished second to Petersburg's Demondre Woodson in the long jump and ran a blistering anchor in Lee-Davis' winning 400 relay.

The Crimson Wave and coach Remus James also made a standout appearance with a fleet of talented jumpers and sprinters like Woodson and Darnell Washington (second in the 100 and 200). Petersburg placed fourth.

Henrico and coach Jesse Chavis finished fifth with the same kind of formula presented by Petersburg.

Tim Crumpler (100 and triple jump champ, fourth in long jump and 200) paced the Warriors with a tremendous all-around effort.

GIRLS

Deep Run protected their house, winning by almost 50 points over Freeman.

Briana Hudson (long jump champ), Ashley Orr (triple jump champ) and Marlena Daly (second in long and triple jump, third in high jump) set the tone in the field for the Wildcats.

Orr, Daly, Joanna Hassell (200 champ, 100 runner-up) and Jay'vonne Bowman (400 champ) continued to rack up points in the sprints and relays.

Freeman received a boost from high jump titlist Lauren Schoenborn. Her height  of 5-2 equaled a personal best and qualified her for state competition.

"I really didn't want to think about it while I was jumping," Schoenborn said. "I just wanted to get it done, and I did. The excitement after, it was great."

Patrick Henry finished a close third behind pole vault champion Lizzy Powell, discus and shot put champ Christianna Moss and versatile leaper Sarah Nuttycombe.

Maggie Walker and 3,200 champ Susannah Piersol was fourth and Lee-Davis and 100 champ Montasia Golden got fifth.