Western Branch Sends Coach Claude Toukene Out In Style

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

It was a dominant performance for the Western Branch this past Friday and Saturday. And a fitting finale for head coach Claude Toukene. At the Virginia State Track and Field 6A-5A Championships at Todd Stadium in Newport News this past weekend, the boys and girls swept the 6A titles. 

Led by freshman Na'Taja Ballard, the Western Branch girls scored an impressive 143 points.

This was Toukene's final high school meet as he accepted a position to become the head track coach at Bryant & Stratton College in Virginia Beach.

The Western Branch boys 4x800 relay set a Class 6A meet record, running  7:46.47.

Ballard won the 400 (54.74), 200 (23.87) and ran on the record setting 4x4 relay (3:45.96).

Jaden Payoute helped lead L.C. Bird to a 5A boys title, winning the 100 ( 10.67) running on the class record 4x100 relay (41.66). Along with winning the 4x100, L.C. Bird claimed the 4x4 and 4x800.

Nansemond River senior Daiqwaun Faircloth swept the 5A hurdles, winning the 110 (13.78) and 300 (37.26).

Junior Kori Carter led Nansemond River to a 5A girls team title, winning the 100 (13.82) and 300 (41.28) hurdles.

Albemarle senior Ryann Helmers won the 5A girls 1,600 (4:56.52) and the 3,200 (10:39.15).

Natalie Barnes of Stone Bridge set a 5A class record in the long jump (19-01.75).

3A/4A

The Loudoun Valley boys claimed the top four spots in the 1,600 to win the 4A state title at Harrisonburg High this past weekend and piled up 100 points. 

Junior Sam Affolder won the 1,600 meters for Loudoun Valley in 4:20.64, while in the 3,200, Jacob Hunter ran 9:09.18 to win. Loudoun Valley claimed four of the top five spots in the event and had seven runners in the top 10.

York junior Ryah Hinds won the 3A girls 100 (12.09), 200 (24.44) and 400 (56.81).

Karl Thiessen of Abingdon claimed the 3A boys 1,600 (4:20.79) and 3,200 (9:18.25).

James Monroe senior Alexis Clark won the discus (131-09) and shot put (45-7).

1A/2A

Kyle Clanton, a junior from Central Woodstock won the Class 2A 100 (10.96), 200 (22.62) and 400 (49.88).

Senior Emilie Miller of Wilson Memorial won the 2A 100 (12.25) and 200 (26.21).

Patrick Henry senior Connor Buchanan won the 1A 200 (22.1) and 400 (50.16).

K.J. Moore of Covington claimed the 1A 100 (10.83), triple jump (46-0) and was second in the 200 (22.46).

In girls 1A, junior Talasjah Weathersby of Galileo Magnet won the 100 (12.27), 200 (25.71) fourth in the 400 (1:02.6).

Team Champions

Class 6A -- Western Branch boys 88 points; Western Branch girls 143 points

Class 5A - L.C. Bird boys 94; Nansemond girls 95

Class 4A - Loudoun Valley boys 100; E.C. Glass girls 57.5

Class 3A - Broadway boys 64; Phoebu girls 78

Class 2A - Maggie L. Walker boys 90.5; Wilson Memorial girls 92.5

Class 1A - Auburn boys 114.5; Auburn girls 124