In the first indoor track and field meet of the season, the Parry McCluer High School boys won the 4 X 800-meter relay in a state-qualifying time at Liberty Flames High School Invitational on Saturday at Liberty University.
It was the same group of Blues who won the state title and set a school record last winter. With a team of seniors Josh Cooper and Logan Wheelock, sophomore Caleb Cooper and junior Kebryl Chandler, who ran the anchor leg, the Blues finished in 8 minutes, 27.24 seconds. The state-qualifying time for the event was 9:09.
“The goal was to go ahead and qualify for that so we can have it done for the rest of the year,” said PM head coach Chris Poluikis. “Anything can happen late in the year – snow cancellations, sickness. We’re qualified for it now and can keep focusing on other things, along with resting some of the guys with a lot of miles from cross country.”
PM won by nearly three seconds over runner-up Salisbury (8:30.01), while Rustburg (8:33.49) placed third of 13 teams. It was the only event for PM at the meet.
The Blues will return to Liberty on Saturday for the Liberty Christmas High School Invitational.
