Jean and Johnson bring home gold at VHSL State Track & Field Championships

Pictured: Nandua’s Oberto Jean with the State Championship Jump.

By Luke Brankley

Athletes from Nandua and Arcadia High Schools turned in strong performances at the VHSL State Track & Field Championships held at James Madison University. Two local athletes earned individual state titles: Nandua’s Oberto Jean in the high jump and Arcadia’s Lavor Johnson in the triple jump.

In the girls’ events, Nandua’s Jaynae Bailey placed 14th in the 400-meter dash with a time of 1:05.87. Keira Wheatley finished 5th in the high jump, clearing 5 feet, while Trinity Stern placed 16th in the discus with a throw of 75-1. Arcadia’s Jemelia Reed placed 7th in the pole vault with a clearance of 6 feet.

On the boys’ side, Nandua’s Camden Lewis ran 23.29 in the 200-meter dash, placing 18th. Amari Scarborough competed in three events: he advanced to the finals in the 110-meter hurdles with a 15.45 and placed 8th overall with a time of 16.04. He also placed 22nd in the 300-meter hurdles. Nandua’s 4×100 relay team finished 16th with a time of 44.66. In field events, Jean’s state championship high jump measured a 6-7 clearance, and Zac Smith placed 15th in the discus with a throw of 118-6.

Arcadia’s Lavor Johnson captured the triple jump title with a mark of 46-3.75. He also placed 6th in the 100-meter dash (11.16), 20th in the 200 meters (23.36), and 7th in the long jump (21-2.75). Brian White Jr. finished 14th in the long jump at 20-3.25, and Jordan Cropper followed in 17th (19-10.5). Cropper also took 3rd in the high jump with a leap of 6-4. Aaron O’Shea finished 5th in both the 800 meters (2:00.59) and 1600 meters (4:30.52). Arcadia’s 4×100 relay team placed 8th in the state with a time of 43.63. In the pole vault, Djasley Lucas finished 4th (10-6), and Kerson Normil placed 10th (9-6).