From MileStat -- Ten Tales of Virginia State Track!! -- #9. Virginia Track Coaches Association (VTCA) Begins Operations (Q & A with Coach Mike Feldman -- Osbourn Park)

Osbourn Park track and field coach Mike
Feldman has been heading the program
since 2001. Now he'll take on another
challenge with the formation of the
Virginia Track Coaches Association.

There is also a lot of action happening off the track in Virginia. The Virginia Track Coaches Association is a new organization, and one with lofty goals and expectations, which are geared toward enhancing the track experience for both high school coaches and athletes. At the 5A/6A state meet, I had the opportunity to speak with Osbourn Park coach Mike Feldman, who has been spearheading the development of the organization, which is registered with the state business licensing authority and the IRS. They will be holding their third preliminary meeting July 25/26 and coaches clinic at UVA August 5th & 6th. 

MileStat: First of all, what is the official association name?

Feldman: The Virginia Track Coaches Association (VTCA).

MileStat: Now, there is already a Northern Virginia Track and Cross-Country Coaches Association, which was started by Coach Buz Male, and has been in existence since 1991. Will your organization be in competition with them?

Feldman: The Northern Virginia Track Coaches Association has a specific mission that supports cross-country and track and field in Northern Virginia. We wish for that organization to work with the VTCA and both groups to be supportive of one another. I do not see a conflict, but rather be inclusive of their expertise and support.

MileStat: So, did you go the Northern Virginia organization for help when you were looking to get the process started?

Feldman: We are using the Ohio Association of Track and Cross-Country Coaches (OATCCC) as our model. Wayne Clark and Duggan Hill have been a great help. Also, Mike Corn of the United States Cross-Country/Track and Field Coaches Association (USCCTFCA) has provided great support. VTCA is under the umbrella of the United States Cross-Country/Track and Field Coaches Association (USCCTFCA).

MileStat: And what is your proposed start date?

Feldman: The organization is already in existence. We are registered with the Virginia State Corporation Commission as an LLC. VTCA also has non-profit 501(C) (3) status with the IRS. We will have a web presence. The e-mail address is vtcqa2016@yahoo.com. We are planning on our first clinic for August 5-6, 2016 on the Grounds of the University of Virginia.

MileStat: How will coaches be drawn toward joining the organization?

Feldman: We are reaching out through massive e-mails, MileStat, and word of mouth. From discussions throughout our community, there has been agreement that we as coaches need an organization dedicated to our sport(s).

MileStat: And who are you looking for to join the VTCA? And how many members are you envisioning for the VTCA?

Feldman: We want to be diverse. We need young coaches, men, women, hurdle coaches, jumper coaches, throwing coaches. We would like to see every high school in Virginia with at least one representative in the organization.

MileStat: What benefits will membership in the VTCA hold?

Feldman: Coaching education through clinics and professional development, sport development of Cross Country/Track and Field, coaches' recognition, access to clinics and professional educational opportunities. A voice to the VHSL (Virginia High School League) on issues regarding cross country/track and field. Our organization is also developing relationships with our in-state colleges and universities to promote our sport and increase college opportunities for our athletes.

MileStat: It sounds like an overwhelming task…

Feldman: We have a lot on our plate, but we want to start out small and build up. We are interested in developing track and field and moving forward. We want this (organization) to provide a meaningful experience.

MileStat: Finally, how will the Virginia Track Coaches Association benefit the state high school running community as a whole?

Feldman: We believe that the continual development of coaches in our sport will benefit our athletes immediately. A better prepared coach will be reflected in a better prepared person, both as a coach and in the athlete(s) they coach.

More information about the upcoming coaches clinic and VTCA will be posted on Milestat.com as they become available.

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From MileStat -- Ten Tales of Virginia State Track!! -- #8. Western Branch Girls Almost Win All Relays for Three Straight Years; 5A/6A Baton Exchange Wrap-Up

As if winning six consecutive state titles was not a large enough accomplishment, the Lady Bruins of Western Branch almost accomplished an unthinkable feat at this year’s 6A State Meet.

If not for a disqualification in the 4x100, the Branch girls would have won the 4x100, 4x400 and 4x800 in three consecutive state outdoor finals. Coupled with sweeps of the 4x200 and 4x400 at the 2015 and 2016 indoor state meets, the tally of relay wins for Western Branch, dating from the 2014 indoor 4x800 (won by West Springfield in 9:15.13) to the disqualification in this year’s 4x100, would look like this:

2014 indoor – 4x200, 4x400

2014 outdoor – 4x100, 4x400, 4x800

2015 indoor – 4x200, 4x400, 4x800

2015 outdoor – 4x100, 4x400, 4x800

2016 indoor – 4x200, 4x400, (Patriot won 4x800)

2016 outdoor – 4x800

That makes for a staggering 14 of 15 state relay finals won by the Bruins. To note, the girls’ 4x100 team was disqualified, but had run the fastest time of the event, with Joyner Hinton, Shadajah Ballard, Inayah Boone and Jazmine Tilmon blazing to the finish in 47.14.

However, the Western Branch relay was disqualified for a handoff violation in exchange zone #3. With the DQ, the Westfield quartet of Sarah Little, Inaya Jones, Indira Miles and Natalie Lott prevailed in the relay with a time of 47.72.

The Bruins rebounded quickly, finishing the meet with a win in the 4x400, as the foursome of Jashella Jenkins, Amanda Thomas, Martina Smalls and Adriana Shockley brought the baton home in 3:48.55. Without the DQ, the count would be at 17... and counting!

In addition, not to be forgotten was the Bruins’ 4x800 team of Shockley, Faith Ross, Smalls and Thomas, who broke the Virginia state record on Friday with a new standard of 8:51.61.

5A Girls’ Relays

Nansemond River won the two shorter relays, while Hickory’s four runners put on a clinic in the 4x800.

The Hawks got down to business on Friday, with Madisyn Van Gorder, Kailyn Gyurisko, Kate Miller and Jodi Tolarchyk rolled through the eight-lap race in 9:21.19, a full 8.25 seconds ahead of runner-up Marshall.

On Saturday, the relays were all about Team WAR. The 4x100 group of Leticia Toombs, Julia Burkley, Asia Crocker and Brene’ Donaldson cruised to a 46.34, a full second ahead of second place Brooke Point (47.39). The Warriors ended their winning day with a gold medal in the 4x400, as Kori Carter, Amirah Jones, Tre’breh Scott-McKoy and Syaira Richardson put the final touches on the WAR team triumph with a 3:49.96 win, six seconds faster than silver medalist North Stafford (3:55.20).

6A Boys’ Relays

Unlike the other classifications, there were three separate winners in the 6A boys’ relays.

On Friday, the state’s top-ranked 4x800, Lake Braddock, added to its extensive gold medal collection in the distance events. Andrew Delvecchio, Cavanaugh McGaw, Colin Schaefer and anchor Ben Fogg won the 4x800 in 7:51.35, easily defeating Manchester (7:57.19), who took the silver in a season-best time.

Oscar Smith edged Woodbridge in the meet’s final event, the 4x400, with Kameron Corprew, Alfred Shirley III, Aaron Shirley, and Peter Smith bringing the baton home in 3:19.39, .80 ahead of the Vikings.

5A Boys’ Relays

Bethel added 20 points to its state championship point tally with wins in the 5A boys 4x100 and 4x400.

However, the first ten points were harder to earn than expected.

Isaiah Norris was scratched from the 110-meter high hurdle trials on Friday, suffering from food poisoning, However, Norris came back on Saturday to lead off the Bruins winning 4x100, joining Carlos Young II, Ilkeem Ellis and Josh Hagins for a 41.76 victory in one of the closest races of the day. Prince George County took second in 41.77.

Norris won the 300-intermediate hurdles later on Saturday, and sat out of Bethel’s winning 4x400. But, Ellis, Matthew Freeman, Young, and Edward Richardson held their ground, and won in 3:20.61, to put the finishing touches on the Bruins 14^th state title under Coach Eddie Williams. Potomac took the second spot in 3:21.58.

On Friday, Glen Allen outpaced its competition to secure the 4x800 win, with Michael Carrico, Eddie Williams, Austin Story and Zack Watt pacing the Jaguars to a convincing 7:52.03 win, over four seconds faster than silver medalist Mountain View (7:56.30).

From MileStat -- Ten Tales of Virginia State Track!! -- #7. South County’s Stewart Wins First State Title in 6A Boys 400

After spending the past two seasons on the cusp of greatness, South County senior Trevor Stewart is putting the finishing touches on a senior season that is more indicative of his talent.

The North Carolina A&T bound Stewart earned his first state title at the 6A boys championships, taking the open 400 meters with a time of 47.39. Remarkably, the time was almost a second slower than the 46.44 he ran to win the 6A North region crown just a week earlier.

But based on his past two seasons, even the 47 would have seemed unlikely based on his performances of sophomore and junior years.

In short, Stewart had emerged as one of the better runners in Northern Virginia, but not one whose name came up in state champion discussions. In fairness, for any distance under 500 meters, the discussion begins and ends with three names – Holloway, Noah Lyles and Josephus Lyles.

So, for the past two years, Stewart has hovered in the wings. As a sophomore, he clocked a 48.62 at regionals, and then repeated with a 49.01 at the state meet to finish fourth in a race won by Josephus (47.27). Last year, he chipped a sliver more than a quarter second off his 400 best with a 48.35 at the Lake Braddock Hall of Fame Invitational. Stewart place third in the 6A North regionals, but ended up concentrating on the 100 and 200 at States.

His 21.58 in the 200 was good for fourth last year as both Lyles brothers and Western Branch’s Micaiah Harris claimed the first three spots.

The 100 finals were nothing short of a disaster, as Stewart took the eighth and final place, running an 11.12.

This year, Stewart has found a renewed purpose. At the 6A indoor meet, he placed third in both the 500 (1:05.15) and 300 (34.71). Still, both state times were off his bests of 1:03.80 and 33.90, both from the Ram Invitational. And at States, he watched Noah Lyles take the 300 title, while Josephus Lyles and winner Holloway placed ahead of him in the 500.

Coming into Saturday’s final, Stewart knew that he was due. Plus, he was better prepared this time.

“I’ve been doing extra stuff,” said Stewart, just a minute after winning the 400. “I’ve been getting in some extra running and weight training.”

There would also be no Josephus Lyles in the race, as the Titan senior has been sidelined with a torn hamstring.

But this race was simply won by Stewart who took control from the 200 mark and pushed through for the win over Igo Grimes of Freedom and South Lakes’ Skander Ballard.

Stewart also took runner-up in the 100 (10.81) behind Harris, who won in 10.66, to account for 18 of the Stallions 31 points in a sixth place team effort.

With bests of 10.64, 21.33 and the 46.44 under his belt, Stewart is ready to attack the next level of competition and will do so at North Carolina A&T beginning next year. Why become an Aggie?

“I had a good one-on-one with their coach, and I believe that he can get me to where I want to be,” said Stewart.

Given his improvement over the past twelve months, there is reason to believe that Stewart will leave an indelible mark on MEAC track, while providing fits for the competition at Hampton, Norfolk State and Howard.

Stewart will complete his prep career this weekend, running the Championship 400 at the New Balance Nationals, on his soon-to-be home track at N.C. A&T in Greensboro.