This past Saturday at George Washington High School, Dan River's track team competed alongside four other schools: Mecklenburg County, Magna Vista, Galileo, and GW-Danville. The Wildcats, showcasing remarkable prowess, delivered standout performances, earning several spots for the state qualifiers.
Marion Shirley, a senior, soared to victory in the high jump, clinching a state-qualifying leap of 6’0. Meanwhile, the 4x100 relay squad, composed of Davion Adkins, Trevon Brooks, TyShawn Davis, and DJ Gregory, secured a second-place finish behind Magna Vista, clocking in at 43.72, well below the state-qualifying threshold of 45.32. Adding to the triumph, senior Myles Walker claimed the top spot in the discus event and landed second in shot put.
Senior Austin Bratton cruised to victory in his 400 heat and secured second place overall with a time of 54.90. In the 200, senior Trevon Brooks (23.00) and freshman TyShawn Davis (23.28) triumphed in their respective races, with Brooks finishing second and seventh. Junior DJ Gregory showcased his speed with a third-place finish in the 100, clocking a state-qualifying time of 11.32. Making his debut in the 110 hurdles, sophomore Josiah Saunders grasped fifth place. Davis also secured seventh place in the 200 event while senior Davian Griffith displayed his strength with fifth and sixth place finishes in shot put and discus, respectively.
The season opener witnessed a splendid display from the Lady Wildcats' 4x100 relay ensemble, comprising sophomores Akeelah Scott and Layla Deshazor alongside freshmen Janiya Eldridge and Ashley Gunn. Their collective effort propelled them to a commanding first-place finish, crossing the line at 54.54. In the field events, sophomore Aspen Davis showcased her prowess by clinching victory in the discus with a remarkable personal best throw measuring 67’ 4”. Additionally, she secured second place in shot put with a commendable distance of 25’ 6”. Freshman Jordan Richardson exhibited promising potential, securing fifth and sixth place finishes in discus and shot put, respectively. La'Tavia Clark displayed agility and finesse, securing second place in the 100 hurdles. Akeelah Scott demonstrated her speed, clinching fifth place in the 100-meter dash. Meanwhile, Layla Deshazor achieved a personal milestone, finishing seventh in the 200 event with a record-setting time of 28.49.