The triumphant 2023 outdoor track team is closing out the school year with a bang. Coached by head coach Courtney Campbell, this season was highly anticipated based on the team being regional champions of the state for two consecutive years before now.
Although the title was lost this year, individual players have been making their marks on the team and their own personal records.
“We were region champs the past two years, so the bar was really high,” Campbell said. “We may not be equaling those levels, but we are still a strong team.”
Multiple players on the team have been recognized for scoring at the top of their event. Most recently, the Dulles District Championship took place which was an extremely successful meet for County.
Junior Chase Kibble was a top scorer in the high school boy’s discus final, making him the Dulles District Champion in discus. Junior Matt Thorne placed first in the boy’s 200-meter dash, winning gold for County. Finally, senior Wesley Celentano placed first in the boy’s long jump, making three County athletes champions at the Dulles District Championships.
Along with final meet scores, athletes have been breaking their personal records while also representing County with outstanding scores.
“Some of the kids are trying to qualify for the state meet, and some are just trying to improve. I’m happy with all of those levels,” Campbell said.
The energy on the team this year is one of enthusiastic support and sportsmanship among the athletes. Home meets are filled with players screaming words of encouragement and overall energetic support for their teammates in each event. “It was great at the meet to see the kids really cheering for their teammates,” Campbell said. “They just happened to be all around me.”
Although Coach Campbell retired at the end of April as a teacher and therefore also as a coach due to VHSL regulations, he will return next season as a coach with hopes that the team will continue to excel in meets and here at County. “I certainly hope that we continue to have success. I think the key to success is to build a good coaching staff and make it fun while working hard and the results will take care of themselves,” Campbell said.
