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Chandler, Richardson Win Individual Crowns
Parry McCluer High School sophomore Kebryl Chandler won two state titles and ran the anchor leg for the boys’ winning 4 X 800-meter relay team at the Class 1 state meet last Wednesday and Thursday at Liberty University. The PM boys placed fifth of 20 teams, while the PM girls, led by senior Kamilah Richardson’s state title in the shot put, tied for 13th place of 25 teams.
Chandler won the 1000meter run in a season-best time of 2:33.48, outsprinting Lancaster’s Matthew Kane and other top racers in the final stretch. Kane placed second in 2:34.1 Describing Chandler’s race, PM head coach Chris Poluikis said, “Kebryl was against three seniors, all trying to get that state title. He just had the race of his life. He took the lead with about 300 meters to go.” Poluikis added that Chandler ran his last 400 meters in 57 seconds and his final 200 meters in 27 seconds.
In the 1600-meter run, Chandler took first place in 4:32.54, and junior teammate Josh Cooper placed second with a PR time of 4:33.95, running negative splits for each lap. Eastern Montgomery’s Calvin Wilbon followed in third in 4:35.36.
After placing second in the 4 X 800meter relay at last year’s indoor state meet, the PM boys won the relay last Wednesday, finishing in 8:24.78 to beat runner-up Lancaster (8:30.86). Team members were Josh Cooper, junior Logan Wheelock, freshman Caleb Cooper and Chandler. Going over the relay, Poluikis said, “Josh started us off really well. He got us the lead, and we just kept extending it.”
For the PM girls, Kamilah Richardson won the shot put with a toss of 38 feet, 2.25 inches, a state meet record and just two inches shy of her personal and school record, to become the first indoor female state champion in program history. Auburn’s Allyson Harrison placed second with a throw of 34-1. PM throwing coach Danny Cole said Richardson “has been consistent all season. She pulled out her next-best throw for the state meet.”
The PM girls’ lone runner was senior Kyra Lee, who placed fifth in the 3200meter run in 13:09.31.
Wheelock led the Blues in the boys’ 3200meter run, placing third in 9:51.26, not far behind the winner, Lancaster’s Matthew Kane (9:44.31), and the runner-up, Grundy’s Keyston Hartford (9:45.75). PM freshman Hinckley Lovelace placed sixth in 10:07.94, while teammate Caleb Cooper came in seventh in 10:08.69), and his older brother Josh Cooper followed in ninth in 10:44.85.
PM junior Henry Lovelace placed sixth in the 55-meter hurdles in 8.77 seconds.
The PM boys placed 11th in the 4X400meter relay in 3:59.51. Wheelock anchored the relay and was joined by freshman Sebastian George, Henry Lovelace, and sophomore Sam Carpenter.
Junior Griffin Harlow led the PM boys in the shot put, placing third with a toss of 51-9.25. Patrick Henry’s Tyler Barrett won with a throw of 58-6.76, while Auburn’s Kobi Bonds finished second with a toss of 58-6, and Rappahannock’s William Houchin’s throw of 50 feet placed him fourth. Cole said Harlow, who was the Region 1C runner-up, should feel “nothing but self-accomplishment for the season.”
Also competing in the boys’ shot put for PM was senior Rayshan Richardson, who placed seventh with a. toss of 45-9.75.
Cole said both Richardsons “will be greatly missed next indoor season. They are respectful, coachable, and have good morals.”
In the team standings, unlike in recent years, the Blues were only up against other Class 1 teams, now that Class 1 and Class 2 are split.
The PM boys, who finished sixth at last year’s state meet, scored 60 points to place fifth last week. Lancaster won with 82 points, Galileo (80) placed second, and Auburn (71.5) finished third. Rounding out the top seven were Rural Retreat (66.5), PM (60), Mathews (42.5) and Brunswick (36).
With just two PM girls competing, the Blues scored 14 points to tie Charles City County, Chilhowie and Grundy for 13th place. Auburn won with 91 points, Brunswick (78) placed second, and Northampton (58) finished third.
With a short break in competition, the Blues will prepare for the upcoming outdoor track and field season.
