Wood boys win meet

May 20, 2011

By Robert Niedzwiecki
The Winchester Star       

FRONT ROYAL- Let's just say James Wood junior John Simms can do it all, and leave it at that.

Simms set a Northwestern District record in the 100 meters and also won the 200 and 400 to lead the regular season champion Colonels to their third straight Northwestern District track and field meet title Thursday at Skyline High School.

James Wood scored 144 points to runner-up Skyline's 121.

The Sherando girls - also regular season champions - repeated as district meet champions as well, scoring 173 points to Handley's 128.

James Wood coach Matt Stegmaier - who held up his arms and yelled "triple crown!" at Simms from across the track after the 200 - said after the Apple Blossom Invitational on May 7 that he thought Simms' best two events were probably the 200 and 400. After Simms recorded a 100 time of 10.81 Wednesday to break his own school record (11.04) and Handley's Charles Washington's district record (10.88 in 2006), Stegamaier said he wouldn't mind at all if that doesn't turn out to be the case.

"He's just trying to make me eat my words," said Stegmaier, laughing. "But he just got out. His start was unreal. We worked ... on getting out of the blocks, and he was almost a whole stride out ahead of those guys before they even came out of the blocks. It was just awesome."

Simms - who set the only meet record among boys or girls Thursday - could hardly believe it when he heard his time, which was 0.66 seconds better than runner-up Jonta Baltimore of Skyline.

"I was speechless," Simms said.

That's understandable. Simms was actually focusing more on the 200, which he won in 22.53, 1.07 seconds better than teammate Mason Smith.

Simms' late burst also allowed him to pass Smith in the final 10 meters to win the 400 in 51.63. (Smith recorded a 51.87.)

As impressed as Stegmaier was with Simms' start in the 100, Simms felt his best work was done in the moments immediately preceding his races.

"Right before I got in the blocks and I was getting ready, I would talk to myself, just to get myself mentally prepared," Simms said. "I would say, 'C'mon, John, c'mon John, you've got to get it. No slacking. Let's do it.' I would say that over and over.

"As I said that, I just felt as if I was transforming into this non-stoppable force. I just stayed focused and did what I had to do."

As a result, Simms might finally shine his brightest on the biggest stage. After Washington set the district record in the 100, he went on to place third at the Group AA state meet.

"That Washington kid was quick," Stegmaier said. "Breaking a record is special, but breaking a record of someone that quick is awesome for John. That gives him a lot of confidence going into the region and state meets.

"At this time last year he was a little banged up, but now he's 100 percent healthy and mentally ready to rock and roll. That kid was all smiles today."

James Wood as a whole was all smiles.

The Colonels also got wins from Cody Wright in the 800 (2:00.29), Ben Jenkins in the 110 hurdles (16.20) and Anthony Ingle in the triple jump (42-9). Wright rallied with a late push to win his race, and Ingle came through despite being hampered by hamstring and knee injuries much of the year.

"This [title's] different than the other two," Stegmaier said. "We were scoring points in all areas, which was great. We haven't had that the last two years, and this was a complete total team effort, which is special."

Sherando's girls were no less impressive.

The Warriors received wins from senior Krista DeCeault in the 1,600 (5:03.84) and the 3,200 (10:48.50), Alaina Combs in the shot put (31-7), Maddy Morris in the discus (104-7) and the 4x400 team (4:09.50).

"We came out and performed like we've been performing most of the year," said Sherando coach Tom Grim, who also got four top-three performances from Lauren Wilkins. "Our big guns came up and did it today."

As dominant as DeCeault has been this year, she had never won a district title before. At this point in the year, she said she and her fellow seniors are trying to savor every moment, and they're definitely savoring the success.

"The team is wonderful," said DeCeault, who was hampered somewhat by stomach problems Thursday. "When we go to practice, we're serious, and anyone will help you. We don't really have any team drama.

"All the girls are just so wholesome and so nice. We all support each other, and I think that contributes to our success."

Grim gave a lot of credit to the effort Handley gave Thursday, and the Judges piled up points in some unusual places.

Standout 300 hurdler Lisa Meneau made a rare appearance in the 100 hurdles and won in 16.90 seconds before also taking first in the 300 hurdles (46.35 seconds).

Junior sprint standout Britani Myers - who starred in distance as a freshman, winning the district 800 and 3,200 titles - made a cameo return to her roots and took the 800 in a career-best 2:18.41 not long after she won the 400 in 58.33. Myers also competed in her first-ever triple jump competition and took third (33-9).

"[Coach Sam] Finley just told me to come out and have fun, which is the first time he ever told me that," said Myers, laughing. "Today calmed me down, just to do something different.

"[Running] the 800 definitely made me realize I could push even harder in the 400, and still be able to come back and do the 4x400 well."

Junior Verna Hilaire-Lee was another double winner for Handley, taking the 100 (12.54) and 200 (25.87).

Rounding out the girls' team standings were James Wood (third, 90 points), Millbrook (fourth, 68) and Skyline (fifth, 24).

Other local girls' winners were the Handley 4x100 team (50.11), the Millbrook 4x800 team (10:13.39), and James Wood's Shannan Thorne in the high jump (4-10).

Rounding out the boys' team standings were Sherando (third, 116 points), Millbrook (fourth, 60), and Handley (fifth, 50).

Other local boys' winners were Sherando's Chris Smith in the high jump (6-3), Devon Newman in the long jump (20-11), Justin Neff in the discus (141-9), and the Warriors' 4x400 (3:31.56) and 4x800 (8:23.30) teams; Handley's Chris Arslan in the 3,200 (10:01.36) and Derek Dowrey in the shot put (48-4); and Millbrook's Rodney Culbreath in the 300 hurdles (40.95).

The top five individuals and top two relays in each event qualified for next week's Region II meet at Warren County.

- Contact Robert Niedzwiecki at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.