Mitchell, Jones Win Titles In Virtual District Track Meet
By Jonathan Schwab
Led by two individual champions, five members of the Rockbridge County High School girls indoor track and field team advanced to the Region 3C meet.
Unlike most years, the results of this year’s Shenandoah District meet were determined in a virtual/paper meet, taking the top times and jumping and throwing distances from this season. The results were announced last Thursday.
The top six individuals and the top three relay teams, along with athletes qualified by time or distance, advanced to the Region 3C meet, which will take place this Saturday at the Edward S. Long Jr. Track Complex in Penn Laird.
This is the Wildcats’ first year in the Shenandoah District, following seven years in the Valley District. The Wildcats are under the direction of co-head coaches Jennifer Showalter and Tyler Staton and throwing coach Zavery Wallace.
RC sophomore Ariana Mitchell won the district title in the high jump. She had already qualified for the Region 3C and Class 3 state meets in the high jump by clearing 4 feet, 10 inches in the first meet of the season on Dec. 10 at Fork Union Military Academy. Mitchell also advanced in the 55-meter dash by placing sixth.
RC junior Celia Jones won the district title in the 55-meter hurdles and advanced in two other events, placing second in the long jump and finishing fifth in the high jump.
Also advancing for the Wildcats were a pair of freshmen: Sarah Lewis, placing third in the 55-meter dash, and Katherine Finn, finishing fourth in the high jump. RC junior Cate Wilson advanced in the shot put, placing sixth.
The Region 3C meet on Saturday will start with field events at 10 a.m., with races getting underway at 12:30 p.m. From the Region 3C meet, the top three individuals and relay teams, as well as those qualified by time or distance, will advance to the Class 3 state meet, which is scheduled for March 2 and 3 at Liberty University in Lynchburg.
