by Ashlee Mullis
The PCHS indoor track team finished the season on a high note at the Virginia 2A State Championships this past weekend. Five cougars qualified for the state championships, and all five came home with an All-State Medal.
Senior Katie Brintle put an exclamation mark on her indoor season by winning the girls 500m race.
“Katie executed her race perfectly today,” said head coach, Danel Slaydon. “She has an incredible ability to remain calm and focused amidst intense pressure. That, coupled with her strength and her ability to close races hard, is a winning combination. She has progressed steadily throughout the season and really earned this state title today. We are thrilled for her!” he added.
With her victory, Brintle becomes the first indoor track state champion for Patrick County.
The boys had a very busy day on the track, running two relays together, plus having team members run two individual events in between. The 4×200 relay team (Brandon Rohrbach, Will Sprowl, Michael Hamm, and Kristian Reynolds) ran their best race of the year to place 7th in a very strong field. An hour later, Kristian Reynolds ran to a 7th place performance in the 500.
Michael Hamm, placed 15th in a loaded field in the 300. The 4×400 relay was the icing on the Cougars’ cake.
“The boys finished with their tanks on empty today, and as a coach,you can’t ask for much more than that,” Slaydon said. In the last race of the day, Rohrbach, Sprowl, Hamm, and Reynolds gutted their way to a 6th place All-State finish.
“Michael and Kristian ran individual events in between the relays and had less than an hour between their races and the 4×4. Despite that quick turnaround, they both ran phenomenal 400 legs for us,” praised Slaydon.
“Will Sprowl was absolutely stoic for us today. He found a way to hang on and push through the last 50 meters of his relay leg. We are really pleased with what he has been able to do in his first season running track,” said Slaydon.
Veteran senior, Brandon Rohrbach had qualified to run the 300 today, but with it being so close to the 4×4, he sacrificed his spot in that race so that his legs would be fresher and rested for his team in the relay.
“What Brandon did for his team today was really special. He put his race on the line for his teammates, and it paid off in a big way. He ran a perfect and very fast first leg for us today. That, combined with the efforts of Will, Mike, and Kristian resulted in an emotional 6th place performance,” said Slaydon. “That All-State Medal was extra sweet for our boys. Coach Moore and I could not be prouder of their grit and teamwork today.”Coach Slaydon and Coach Moore made sure to thank the support of the PCHS administration, as well as several teammates, parents and other community members who came out to the state meet to support their athletes.
