Glenvar boys, girls take 3rd in Region 2C
Salem and Glenvar track teams will be competing in state meets next week at Liberty University. Salem athletes will be in the Class 4 meet next Tuesday, March 2nd and 3rd, while Glenvar athletes will be in the Class 2 meet on March 4th and 5th.
The Class 4D meet was held on February 16 but the Class 2C meet wasn’t held until last Sunday at Roanoke College. Both the Glenvar boys and girls teams took third place at the Kerr-Cregger Indoor Fieldhouse in Salem, as the boys scored 80 points and the girls totaled 70.
“It was a great day for our program,” said Glenvar coach Bekka Loder. “Our athletes rose to the occasion, delivering great performances, PRs, and unforgettable moments that showcased the heart of our team. Even though not all made it through to states, the team came out with eight personal records and two season’s best.
The top three in each event qualified for the state and Glenvar had five individual region champions. For the boys Joey Loder won the 55 hurdles in 7.60, Evan Harris won the 1,000 meters in 2:45.17 and Aldin Smith won the 3,200 in 10:27.43. Champions for the girls were Anna Hall in the 500 in 1:26.94 and Aiden Beverly in the 300 in 44.21.
“Adding to the excitement were our four relay teams that captured overall wins,” said Loder. “Relays are about more than speed, they’re about trust and seamless execution. Each of our relay teams ran with confidence and determination, with one goal in mind.”
The boys won the 4×800 with Smith, Cash Malcolm, Asher Faught and Evan Harris. The girls swept all three relays. Hall, Kailee McDonald, Lauren Smith and Rayya Bryson won the 4×800. Meena Chen, McDonald, Elle Graffeo and Beverly won the 4×200 and Hall, Chen, Bryson and Beverly won the 4×400.
Others who qualified for the state for the boys were Loder with a second in the 300 dash and Faught with a third in the 1,600. For the girls, Graffeo was third in the 55 hurdles and Bryson took a third in the 1,000 meters.
“As coaches, we couldn’t be prouder,” said Loder. “Watching our athletes sprint or run down the homestretch is always a reminder of what makes track and field so special. Individual excellence combined with team strength and spirit. This meet reflects months of dedication that have brought us to the upcoming state meet.”
