Week #37: Lightning Fast: Varsity Track and Field Puts on a Show at VISAA States

Dave Levy, Athletic Director
Varsity Track and Field - "And in first place, from Tandem Friends School, your Boys 400 Meter Dash VISAA State Champion, Gabriel Simon." Dropping a full two seconds off his previous time - which was also a school record - Gabriel dusted the field in a time of 53.01, earning a gold medal in his final VISAA State Championship meet. Gabriel has always come through on the biggest stage - and his ten points in the 400 set Tandem up to do something we had never done before: finish in the top five in the overall team score.
 
There was little rest for our talented senior! He had already run an incredible 4x100 Meter Relay with Ian (who had an epic start out of the blocks), Nari (who has been elite all season) and Kemaan, who ran an excellent anchor leg. Following his relay and open 400, the meet was nearly complete, and the Badgers were in a great position - and leaned on Gabriel again as he got into his blocks to start the 4x400 Meter Relay. Gabriel delivered again - running yet another 53 second 400 - and positioning the team of Miles (:55), Kemaan (:58) and Peter W (:57) to earn 6th place, adding a few more critical points to our final total.
With 42 points, the Badgers defeated 22 other teams - including Trinity Christian, Covenant, Broadwater, Virginia Episcopal, New Covenant and many more. The team was all in from the very first event - Kemaan's 5'6" High Jump! Known for our distance prowess, Tandem dominated the 1600 - with Peter W running a brilliant race. He ran each of his first three laps at exactly the same pace - 1:12 - before out-kicking his competition in 1:08 in the final quarter of the race. Peter's time of 4:50 earned him a 5 second PR - and his afterburners brought him across the line first in his heat! Tandem also enjoyed great 1600 performances from Hayes and Miles! Hayes ran 4:25 and took 2nd Place while Miles came through in an impressive 4:39!
 
In the 3200, Hayes defended his crown - winning the VISAA State Title in a time of 9:37! Winning two medals and scoring 18 of our 42 points, Hayes won his 5th Individual State VISAA State Title (2 Cross Country, 1 Indoor 3200, 2 Outdoor 3200!). What an absolutely incredible run (pun intended) for the talented Junior leader! His training partner Jack B was equally dominant - winning 2nd Place and a silver medal in an impressive time of 10:05! It has been an exceptional career for Jack, earning All-State Honors for the third season this year (XC, Outdoor and Indoor TF!) Brendan, breaking 11:00 yet again, matched his PR: 10:58!  Miles also earned points for the squad in the 800 - finishing 8th in a time of 2:08 - his second 800 of the day!  He also participated in the 4x800 Meter Relay where Brendan ran 2:19, Jack J 2:24, Peter D 2:23 and Peter W 2:12 for a combined time of 9:19!
 
Both Peter D (48.83) and Eli (48.98) attacked each hurdle with no fear, finishing the 300 Meter Hurdles at almost exactly the same time! Well done to our hurdle crew - not many teams had two 300 Meter Hurdlers qualify to compete at VISAA State Championships!
 
Aoife led the way for the girls, dominating her heat of the 200 with a powerful stride and winning easily in a PR time of 28.5! Not many sprinters qualify as ninth graders, and Aoife is just getting started on what is going to be a special career! In the 3200, Lucy went out super hard - running her first lap in 1:31! She kept her pace strong, and had a huge finish, flying by an opponent to finish in a time of 13:43.  
 
Running at VISAA State Championships for the final time, Claire delivered with an exceptional first leg of the 4x800 - passing several runners in the homestretch! Claire's time of 2:48 set up Avery, her Senior teammate, for her final leg as well. Avery ran tough - battling against the competition - and finishing in a blazing 3:09.  With a smooth pass to Emory, she was off to the races! Emory's leg was a 5 second PR of 3:02 (what a debut season it has been!) Dhruvi brought it home, finishing the race in a PR of her own, 3:10, two seconds faster than she has ever run before!
 
Congratulations to all of our Tandem Varsity Track and Field VISAA State Qualifiers! What a special - and historic - day for this magical team! Gabriel and Hayes both brought home shiny gold medals, Jack B added a silver, and every Badger contributed towards our highest place in Tandem history!
 
Special thanks to my incredible fellow coaches - a squad I absolutely love working with! Jason, Ned and Melissa provide so much expertise and support to our athletes, creating an incredible environment to become your best athletic self! Thanks also to all the families who came out to support us today!
 
The squad returns to action one final time at the Monticello Last Chance Meet - right across the street from Tandem Lane! The action will be Thursday, May 21 at 5:00p.m. Don't miss it!
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Tandem Friends School is a co-ed Quaker day school for grades 5-12 in Charlottesville, Virginia.
 
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