Going down to the New Balance National Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Greensboro, N.C. June 19-21, River Hill's Chris Heydrick was anxious to accomplish a few things before heading north for the University of Connecticut on a track and field scholarship.
He was hoping to change the bad taste left by finishing second in the 800 and 1,600 meters at the 3A outdoor state meet by exacting some revenge and setting some new personal records along the way.
That's exactly what Heydrick did, as he won the boys emerging elite one-mile race in 4 minutes, 12.30 seconds, which set a new meet record in the category, was a new personal-best time by several seconds, and was almost five seconds faster than Milford Mill's Jordan Leon, who bested him twice at the state meet.
"I was really happy with it. It was a five-second PR," Heydrick said. "I've never been to the outdoor one, so it was an awesome atmosphere. Looking around, everyone was a national athlete. It was a really good indicator of what college is going to look like – not knowing anyone you're racing, but knowing they're all good. I think that was really nice for me."
Mt. Hebron's Darnell Pratt was the only rising junior in the championship 200-meter finals, but that didn't deter the outdoor track and field Athlete of the Year's confidence. He finished in 21.63 seconds to finish sixth overall and earn All-American status and a medal.
In the 400 meters, Pratt was the second-youngest competitor, but won his heat in 47.70, which is a new personal record and almost a second faster than his state championship time of 48.53. He finished seventh overall, one spot shy of All-American status.
"It was good. I knew I really wanted to at least come out of there with a medal and I reached that," Pratt said. "It was nice being able to compete with all the fastest runners in the country, and it was also great because I was the only sophomore to place in the 200."
Marriotts Ridge's Micah Meekins, fresh off winning three races at the 2A outdoor state meet and being named to the all-county team, finished third in the girls emerging elite 400 meters in 55.84, and fourth in the 200-meter dash in 24.67.
Howard state champion Taylor Scaife, who is headed to the University of Houston on a track and field scholarship in the fall, threw 42-6.75 feet to finish 21st in the girls championship shot put, and threw 154-2 feet to finish 14th in the championship hammer throw.
The Reservoir boys team of Kelvyn Sosoo, Dillon Mitchell, Matt Mercer and Brandon King finished fifth in the emerging elite 800 meter sprint medley in 1:35.90.
To see the full results, click here.