Seaford's (VA) Joey Prata Repeats as National Prep Wrestling Champion

It's always great to see when someone you have been covering for years continues to accomplish great things. By nature, it is one of the most enjoyable aspects of covering youth and high school sports. Joey Prata, an 11th grade wrestler for St. Christopher's in Richmond, VA has been on my radar for about three years now - a bit more if you include a Virginia Duals conversation with his grandfather in January of 2012, when an elder gentleman bragged to me that the eighth grade kid on Mat 10 was on his way to becoming a multiple state champion.

Add repeat national champion to the conversation. At the beginning of the month, Joey accomplished a VERY rare feat - becoming a two-time National Prep champion at the prestigious meet, which is held annually at Lehigh. To accomplish this, Joey had to buzzsaw his way through a gauntlet of great wrestlers in the 113 lb. classification.

Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the matches, and haven't seen Joey wrestle since the last Virginia Duals on January. But I did find this article from the St. Christopher wrestling team site, which does a competent job at explaining how National Prep Championship # 2 happened weeks ago at Lehigh. The link is posted below.

From the Saints Wrestling web site
http://www.saintswrestling.biz/#!2015natpreps/crzn


BETHLEHEM, PA -- Leave it to Joey Prata to wait to the very last second to score the winning takedown in his 113 lb. National Prep title bout versus Blair Academy's Zach Sherman. Down 1-0 with less than twenty seconds left in the third period, Prata used his tried and true slide by on the edge of the mat for the go ahead takedown. But there was still eighteen seconds left on the clock and the junior had already been cautioned for two false starts. One more false start would give Sherman a point to tie the score. Undaunted, Prata rode the Blair grappler out and brought home his second straight National Prep title. He defeated Sherman in the 106 lb. championship in 2014.

Prata blasted through the 113 lb. field as the tournament's number one seed. He recorded two pins in the first two rounds, disposing of Haverford's Michael Clymer and Pallotti's Jared Butler. He then completely dominated Cape Henry's Luke Harvich 6-1 in a rematch of last week's State finals match. In the semis the junior took out Mount St. Joseph's Cody Trybus before defeating Sherman in the finals. Prata's intensity and focus was strong throughout the weekend, physically and mentally breaking his opponents. He finished his junior year for St. Christopher's with a sparkling 54-6 record. His career record stands at 146-22, which places him at number 12 on the career wins list, tied with Tyler Hamblin.

Olympic Spotlight - David Rudisha (800-meters - Track)

Olympic gold medal winning runner David Rudisha is a trendsetter. And a very fast one at that.

Most of the guys that race David Rudisha probably don't know
what he looks like -- Exhibit A.

His working uniform is unlike yours or mine, usually consisting of a mesh tank top, lightweight shorts and a pair of adizero spikes. But it’s the work he does in that uniform that has him winning medals, breaking records and traveling around the world.

Rudisha may not be well known to all of you, but he should be. As an 800-meter runner, the Kenyan native has accomplished feats that are matched by few others in any sport. His dominance at his event is legendary. In fact, the 26-year old recently became the first man to win both the Olympic and world 800 meter titles while also holding the world record at the event. He is the only man to ever break the 1:41 barrier for his race, with a 1:40.91 effort to win the gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics. He has the best three 800 meter times ever, as well as six of the top eight.

Rudisha may have seemed destined for greatness, which is an attribute that can be traced back to his Maasain roots in Kenya. His father Daniel was a silver medalist with the Kenyan 4x400 relay team in the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, while mother Naomi starred as a long hurdler. As he prepared for the London Olympics, he recalled his father’s influence.

"My father's encouragement is what has brought me this far, because when I grew up I wanted to be like him, and I knew I had that ability to become an athlete. Being an Olympian is one of the greatest things, and being an Olympic gold medalist is one of the most prestigious titles in the world."

The young Rudisha attended school at the Kimuron Secondary School, an institution that included Wilson Kipketer among its former students. It was Kipketer’s 800-meter record that Rudisha eventually broke at the tender age of 21, when his 1:41.09 at an ISATF meet in Berlin became the new world standard. A week later, he lowered the mark to 1:41.01 at a meet in Rieti, Italy.

But it was at the Olympic that Rudisha set foot on to the world stage. In the fastest 800-meter race ever, he took the field out at a blistering pace (49.28 after 400 meters), daring any runner to challenge. While no one could catch Rudisha, five managed to break the 1:43 mark, an unheard of feat.

Just before leaving for London, Rudisha reflected on his childhood and how the pride of his ancestry would help to motivate him.

“Going to the Olympics as a Maasai I want to make them proud because, after the warm welcome they gave me when I went back and being their leader, I want to also be the warrior in the Olympics. That will be something good because that will be the first Olympic gold medal for the Maasai."

While his parents and his heritage helped him along the way, it is also training and diet that are critical elements of Rudisha’s training. The greatest middle distance runner ever maintains a strict diet – one that mixes proteins, carbohydrates and vegetables. Junk food is a foreign term to Rudisha, and fortunately, there is little to be had in Kenya. Most of the food he eats is fresh, and the only thing he changes throughout the year is the amount he eats.

Rudisha’s training regimen has also remained consistent since his teenage days. A typical weekly training plan is chock full of speed work, with a lot of drills and striding. He’s never run more than eight miles in a workout, so his practices are fast and furious.

In the end, Rudisha simply loves his sport, and has said, “Running is so exciting! I really enjoy it because it’s something I am passionate about.”

One City Marathon Goes Without a Hitch (Unless You Were on the James River Bridge!)

By all accounts, the inaugural One City Marathon, which took exactly 2600 runners on a north-to-south route of Newport News, was a rousing success!

The best part of the One City Marathon came in the form of four separate races. You didn't have to be a marathoner to be part of the experience. Five hundred athletes were selected to run the 26.2 mile race, but there was also a marathon relay, a Maritime 8K (five miles), and also a Nautical Mile. Slightly overweight joggers could join in the fun.

Eric Rasmussen was the overall winner of the full marathon with a time of 2:39:14, while local favorite Sika Henry of Newport News took the women's crown in 3:11:17. Full results can be found by clicking the link below.

http://www.onecitymarathon.com/results/

For a first time race with thousands of runners, there were almost no logistical problems, much to the delight of city manager Jim Bourey, who conceived the idea of this hometown marathon, and Jason Todd, owner and director of FlatOut Events, the group which planned the course and handled all of the race details.

Here is Dave Johnson's article in the Daily Press giving more detail to the final analysis:

http://www.dailypress.com/news/newport-news/dp-nws-marathon-race-0316-20150315-story.html

There was one hitch - a backup on the four mile long James River Bridge which intersects the marathon course on its north end. While organizers thought there would be breaks between runners to allow cars through, there was no such luck, and some motorists were held up for as many as 90 minutes. This is certainly a detail which can be fixed for next year, when I predict the number of participants will be closer to 5,000. In all, this is a great race for the City of Newport News, and in spite of its detractors, an idea that promotes, as well as salutes the city in which it is run.

From MileStat.com - One For The Record Books

Had a great two days at the Boo Williams Sportsplex in Hampton! Some incredible talent coming out of Virginia, as noted by the American record for the freshman girls triple jump, as well as the numerous US top-five performances. Here's the link to today's MileStat article:



http://va.milesplit.com/articles/148079-one-for-the-record-books-5a6a-state-meet-recap#.VQBYQoHF_v1

Day 1 Recap From 5A/6A Virginia Indoor Champs - Thomas Dale's Titiana Marsh Sets National Freshman Record in Triple Jump (41' 2")

http://va.milesplit.com/articles/147925-morning-session-recap-from-5a6a-states-#.VP7iT4F4pJ0

See milestat.com for pictures, videos and live meet updates.

Signs of rust from two weeks of missed practice because of snow and ice, coupled with the New Balance Indoor National Championships in New York City looming four days away, led to several unlikely field heroes on the opening day of the Virginia 5A/6A indoor track championships at the Boo Williams Sportsplex in Hampton.

Fans were also treated to an American prep record on Monday, courtesy of Thomas Dale’s Titiana Marsh, who set a freshman national record in the girls’ 6A triple jump, with a 41-2 effort.

Other 6A Girls

In the girls’ pole vault, both Leclaire Beres and Jessica Keys of Herndon cleared 9-9. But it was Keys who won the tiebreaker on fewer misses, and the championship. The combined effort was worth 18 points for the Hornets, who are currently second in the team standings. However, Western Branch remains the heavy favorite to defend their title.

Crystal Jones of Colonial Forge broke her own meet record, nailing a 5-8 clearance to equal her indoor best and win the girls high jump. Jones had the bar raised to a facility record 5-10.25, but failed to clear on her three attempts.

T.C. Williams jumped out to an early team lead with 29 points, followed by Robinson and Western Branch with 20. But the Bruins, fueled by the 3200-meter relay triumph (9:16.03) of Jewel Smith, Ceshay Joyner, Faith Ross, and Amanda Thomas are now in striking distance of taking the team lead, and enter Tuesday with a full lineup in place.

Herndon (18) currently holds the fourth spot in the team standings.

6A Boys

The upsets started early with Grassfield sophomore Seth Harrell. Harrell started the morning as the 14th and last seed in the shot put, almost nine feet behind the favorite, teammate Owen Chappell.

“All I wanted to do was get in the top eight and score, said the sophomore, whose 2013 knee surgery to correct a misplaced kneecap made his accomplishment all the more unlikely. “But once I got off a 48 (foot throw), I started feeling confident.”

With Chappell fouling twice, Harrell found himself in the thick of the competition. He was surprised to make the finals, but astounded everyone in the field with his last throw, a toss of 51-2, which propelled him into the lead, and his first state title.

And while the Grizzlies also scored well in the boys’ high jump, there was a mild upset for the top spot as Oscar Smith’s Bradley Jones nudged out Grassfield standout Grant Holloway.

Holloway entered as the top seed at seven feet. But Jones showed off his outstanding form in the early rounds as both jumpers, along with Noah Lyles of T.C. Williams, cleared 6’4”, then 6’6”.

The competition got interesting at 6’8”. Jones cleared the height first, while Holloway appeared to have trouble planting his left foot to jump after the approach. The resulting minor slips caused him to miss his first two attempts. In the meantime, Lyles missed three attempts and bowed out. But down to his last jump, Holloway dramatically cleared with a couple of inches to spare, setting up a two-man showdown at 6’10”.

Jones wasted little time, clearing the bar on his first attempt. As the lone jumper left to qualify at 6’10”, Holloway was forced to either make the height or lose. After missing the first two attempts, he was again down to a final jump. And for the second time, facing elimination, Holloway managed to plant his last step and soar four inches over the bar, setting up another duel at seven feet.

However, both jumpers missed all three attempts at the seven-foot height, leaving Jones with his first-ever state title, winning on the basis of fewer misses.

For Jones, like many athletes, the weather had affected his training. He noted only having one opportunity to practice jumping, that being yesterday. Looking for an edge, he went back to the basics.

“I wanted to really get it (state title),” said the senior, who is not participating in any other events. “My thought was to run fast and jump high.”

Quincy Watts of Landstown pulled off yet another improbable upset. Watts, whose previous best triple jump was 44-4, pulled a veritable rabbit out of his hat, jumping an unforeseen distance of 48-10.25 to capture the crown.

While the two weeks of snow had a negative impact on other athletes, Watts feels that he benefitted from the break.

“It actually helped me. The time off gave me a chance to heal,” said Watts, who will also be competing in the 55 high hurdles, long jump, 4x200, and 4x400 relays.

The Chantilly quartet of Titus Jeffries, Daniel Mitchell, Ryan McGorty and Brandon McGorty held up to their expectations, and kept their team title hopes alive with a well-needed 7:56.02 win in the 3200-meter relay.

And Andrew Arlint of Battlefield finished the day’s events, winning the pole vault at 15 feet even.

Grassfield holds the lead after Day 1 with 23 points, with Forest Park in second (16), Western Branch is third with 14, but poised to strike on Day 2. T.C. Williams and Lake Braddock are currently tied for ninth with six points, but look forward to strong performances tomorrow – the Bruins with their stable of distance runners (Corbett, Schafer, Monogue, Fogg), and the Titans with the double trouble combination of Noah and Josephus Lyles in the sprints and relays.




5A Girls

In the girls pole vault, Deep Run’s Adeline Scelzi added a couple of inches to her personal best, to win the event with an 11-3 clearance.

The Thomas Jefferson S&T foursome of Katrina Junta, Mary Pollin, Emily Moschella and Haley Stumvoll outpaced Great Bridge and Potomac to win the first heat of the 3200-meter relay in a season-best 10:07.23.  But the Atlee squad, with Laney Owen, Cornelia Brower, Kaitlyn Mason and Chloe Bavin claimed the top prize with their 9:52.08 time, helping to give them a tie for the top spot with Deep Run after three events on Day 1. Henrico (15) and Mills Godwin (12) are tenuously holding the third and fourth spots, while Maury and Princess Anne (10) are tied for fifth.

5A Boys

Matoaca’s Anthony Warner benefitted from the absence of top seed Devontay Doyle of Kempsville to leap from the seventh seed to the state crown with a hop, skip and jump of 43-5. Doyle, who is entered in this weekend’s Nationals, has topped 48 feet this year. But Warner, a junior, was able to add over seven inches to his previous best, allowing him to defeat the field of ten.

Atlee shot-putter Austin Cannon was one of the few favorites to win as expected on Monday. Cannon, who sported a seed of 54-7, launched a 53-7.25 to win the event and help the Raiders in their quest for the team championship.

Manchester’s Zack Marshall got past a quartet of evenly matched high jumpers to win with a leap of 6-4. Marshall credited his win to knowing his competition.

“I have jumped with a couple of the guys before, so I wasn’t surprised,” said the junior. I tried to stay focused and not worry.”

After the five events on Monday, Kempsville (23) is holding a three-point lead over Highland Springs and Manchester (20). Lee-Davis (15.5) and Hickory (15) round out the top five.

Things to Look For at 5A Virginia State Track Meet - POSTPONED FOR THIRD TIME!! WILL NOW RUN NEXT MONDAY AND TUESDAY 3/9 AND 3/10

With any luck, we will get to finally hold the 5A/6A State indoor track meet this Thursday and Friday at the Boo. As mentioned last Monday, we’re looking for a dogfight in the 6A Boys competition, while Western Branch is the strong favorite to win the girls 6A state title.

Things are not quite as tight in the 5A meets. Here’s the link to MIlestat.com which has scored the meet based off the performance list.

http://va.milesplit.com/articles/146837-5a-state-meet-performance-list-scored#.VPTWn1PF_v0

5A Girls Preview

Girls Meet Scored (top six): 1. Atlee 76.5; 2. Henrico 59; 3. Manchester High School 48.5; 4. Hampton 47.5; 5. Deep Run 37; 6 Douglas Freeman 36.  

As I had also mentioned, Milestat.com webmaster Nolan Jez has already written his preview for the 5A and 6A meets. I had provided a 6A preview just before he posted, but don’t see much reason to divert from Nolan’s predictions for the 5A meet.

Hampton's Tori Ray (center) could win both the 55 and 300
as well as the short hurdles this week at the 5A state meet

The Atlee girls, led by Chloe Bavin (distance), Carly Feyeraband (sprints, jumps), India Lowe (hurdles) and CeeCee Harris (sprints) are strong favorites to repeat as state champs.  After that, it will mostly be a Richmond lineup of schools through the top six. However, keep an underdog eye out for Hampton. Tori Ray has been a one woman wrecking crew for the Crabbers, and Marques Hamilton’s squad should not be counted out of a chance to take home some team hardware.

Nolan also highlighted Henrico’s star jumper LaChyna Roe and the general ability in the field from Gene Bowen’s Manchester contingent.

Homer alert – Admittedly, I’ll also be keeping an eye on my old Menchville team, particularly Jada Key (seeded third in 300) and the 1600-meter relay team of Key, the Jones twins (Jermyiah and Jermyriah), and Briana Hunter. The relay placed second to Douglas Freeman last spring and are seeded right behind the favorite Rebels again. It will probably take a sub-four minute effort to win this one.

5A Boys Preview

Boys Meet Scored (top eight): 1. Highland Springs 74.25; 2. Kempsville 55.75; 3. Manchester 46.25; 4. Douglas Freeman  43.5;  5. Lee-Davis 43; 6. Deep Run 40;  7. Atlee 38;  8. Hermitage 35. 

Deep Run's Matthew Novak is one of the top distance
runners in Virginia and should easily win the 1600
and 3200 at the 5A state championships

The outcome here will also be heavily influenced by the Richmond schools, with Highland Springs entering the meet as solid favorites. Nolan writes that “the Springers, who have added more range since last season, will feature stars Marcus Taylor and Felton Davis who will be tough to stop in anything they run in. If these two perform well and run on the relays then we are in for quite a show and could see the athlete of the meet be a battle between two teammates. After them though things get very dicey for that second place trophy.”

I’m specifically looking at two other athletes for potential outstanding individual performances. The first comes from Atlee, who have added a diamond to their mine of pole-vaulters. And Bryce Simpson might be their shiniest gem in some time, entering the 5A champs with a remarkable 15’6” effort.  Matthew Novak of Deep Run (4:13 – 1600, 9:24 – 3200) should dominate the distance events and add a stellar leg to the Wildcat’s 3200-meter relay.