Coates named Region 1A Track Athlete of the Year; Eastern Shore athletes headed to state meet

Northampton High School’s Rylee Coates dominated the Region 1A Outdoor Track and Field Championships, winning five individual events and placing second in a sixth. Her standout performance earned her the title of VHSL Region 1A Girls Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year for 2025. Coates claimed first in the 100-meter hurdles (14.83), 300-meter hurdles (47.22), long jump (17-6), high jump (5-0), and pole vault (11-0), and finished second in the 100-meter dash (12.68), scoring 58 points for her team. She will compete in all six events at the VHSL Class 1 State Championship.

Senior Andrea Ortega capped off her high school career with a seventh-place finish in the 800-meter run, clocking in at 3:12.67. Following graduation, she will join the United States Marine Corps.

Kendrick Collins placed fifth in the triple jump (39-04) and will advance to the state meet in that event, where he holds a season-best of 41-8. He will also compete as part of the boys 4×400-meter relay team.

Elijah Hope qualified earlier this season in the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 43.66 and will also run in the boys 4×100-meter relay.

The Northampton boys 4×100-meter relay team—featuring Jace Logan, Khaidn Davis, Elijah Hope, and Jeremiah White—won the regional title with a time of 45.02 and will represent the Shore at states. The 4×400-meter relay team of Kingston Thomas, Hudson Taylor, Kendrick Collins, and Amir Gholson placed fourth (3:43.05) and also earned a spot at the state meet.

Northampton and Chincoteague will compete in the VHSL Class 1 Track and Field State Championship, while Nandua and Arcadia will participate in the VHSL Class 2 competition. Both championships will be held this weekend at James Madison University, where teams from across the Shore will be cheering each other on.