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Washington-Lee’s Ben Draghi dominates shotput at Virginia 6A championships Washington-Lee’s Ben Draghi dominates shotput at Virginia 6A championships
(6 days later)
Ben Draghi knew from the moment he let his first attempt fly during Friday’s shot put competition that it wasn’t going to be his day.Ben Draghi knew from the moment he let his first attempt fly during Friday’s shot put competition that it wasn’t going to be his day.
“I could tell right then I had some issues going on. I didn’t want to think about it too much, but I usually know within the first couple throws when something is wrong,” said Draghi, a hulking junior from Washington-Lee . “I wasn’t mentally prepared. I wasn’t fully awake yet, not fully there.”“I could tell right then I had some issues going on. I didn’t want to think about it too much, but I usually know within the first couple throws when something is wrong,” said Draghi, a hulking junior from Washington-Lee . “I wasn’t mentally prepared. I wasn’t fully awake yet, not fully there.”
But Draghi has become such a force in Virginia’s prep throwing circuit that an off day for him is often still enough. On Day 1 of the Virginia 5A/6A indoor track and field championships at Hampton, Draghi had distance to spare.But Draghi has become such a force in Virginia’s prep throwing circuit that an off day for him is often still enough. On Day 1 of the Virginia 5A/6A indoor track and field championships at Hampton, Draghi had distance to spare.
With a first-round put of 54 feet 10.25 inches, he won what figures to be the first of several state titles during his high school career and set a 6A meet record in the process.With a first-round put of 54 feet 10.25 inches, he won what figures to be the first of several state titles during his high school career and set a 6A meet record in the process.
[Noah and Josephus Lyles are bolting toward the Rio Olympics][Noah and Josephus Lyles are bolting toward the Rio Olympics]
Draghi, who began throwing competitively as a freshman and placed third last year in the discus at the outdoor championships, doesn’t play any other sports and works toward bettering his throws six or seven days a week.Draghi, who began throwing competitively as a freshman and placed third last year in the discus at the outdoor championships, doesn’t play any other sports and works toward bettering his throws six or seven days a week.
“I’ve learned so much these past couple days,” he said. “I’m just really happy I was able to win the meet. It feels really good, and the experience from this meet was really big for me.”“I’ve learned so much these past couple days,” he said. “I’m just really happy I was able to win the meet. It feels really good, and the experience from this meet was really big for me.”
Robinson senior Maria Muzzio, who, like Draghi, won at the 6A North region meet last week, took the 6A girls’ competition with a put of 43-5.5 . T.C. Williams’s Sarah Leckman (41-8.25) finished second.Robinson senior Maria Muzzio, who, like Draghi, won at the 6A North region meet last week, took the 6A girls’ competition with a put of 43-5.5 . T.C. Williams’s Sarah Leckman (41-8.25) finished second.
Aisha Brown recorded Patriot’s first win of the state meet, clearing 5-6 in the 6A girls’ high jump.Aisha Brown recorded Patriot’s first win of the state meet, clearing 5-6 in the 6A girls’ high jump.
Rachel McArthur ran the final leg of the Pioneers’ next victory, anchoring the girls’ 4x800-meter relay team that included Lindsay Yentz, Sierra Biber and Abigail Wied to a victory in 9 minutes 23.76 seconds. Kate Murphy brought Lake Braddock from last place to first during the third leg, and the Bruins finished second in 9:25.08.Rachel McArthur ran the final leg of the Pioneers’ next victory, anchoring the girls’ 4x800-meter relay team that included Lindsay Yentz, Sierra Biber and Abigail Wied to a victory in 9 minutes 23.76 seconds. Kate Murphy brought Lake Braddock from last place to first during the third leg, and the Bruins finished second in 9:25.08.
Lake Braddock’s boys’ team won the 6A 4x800 in 8:00.81 ahead of Robinson (8:03.59) and Forest Park (8:06.19).Lake Braddock’s boys’ team won the 6A 4x800 in 8:00.81 ahead of Robinson (8:03.59) and Forest Park (8:06.19).
T.C. Williams seniors Noah and Josephus Lyles will enter Saturday’s 55-dash final as the top two seeds after both ran 6.31 in the preliminaries. Noah tied the meet record in the event last year in 6.27 seconds , though both boys have run faster this year.T.C. Williams seniors Noah and Josephus Lyles will enter Saturday’s 55-dash final as the top two seeds after both ran 6.31 in the preliminaries. Noah tied the meet record in the event last year in 6.27 seconds , though both boys have run faster this year.
Noah finished second in the high jump, clearing 6-8. Grassfield’s Grant Holloway, who, like the Lyles brothers, is committed to Florida, won the competition at the same height.Noah finished second in the high jump, clearing 6-8. Grassfield’s Grant Holloway, who, like the Lyles brothers, is committed to Florida, won the competition at the same height.
In the boys’ pole vault, Osbourn Park’s Tim McEvoy cleared 14-7 to win the 6A title. Forest Park’s Harrison Shotwell was second and W.T. Woodson’s Karl Zuber was third, both at 13-6.In the boys’ pole vault, Osbourn Park’s Tim McEvoy cleared 14-7 to win the 6A title. Forest Park’s Harrison Shotwell was second and W.T. Woodson’s Karl Zuber was third, both at 13-6.
Battlefield junior Emily Harrison won the girls’ 6A pole vault with a top height of 11 feet. Harrison, who won her first state title at the 2015 outdoor championships, finished ahead of Langley’s Kelsie Hao and T.C. Williams’ Olivia Tardieu, both of whom topped out at 10-6.