Lautzenheiser sets new regional mark

Another record fell beneath the feet of Midlothian harrier Kathleen Lautzenheiser.

After taking two in district competition, the senior, bound for the College of William and Mary, broke the Central Region Outdoor Track Championship meet record in the 1,600-meter run last Thursday.

Lautzenheiser and Courtney Dobbs dueled to the last two steps in the event. Lautzenheiser won in 4:59.55. Dobbs was second in 4:59.62. Both broke the previous record held by Courtlin LeReau of Deep Run.

Two other meet records fell during the final day of competition at Sports Backers stadium. Madalyn Nuckols of Deep Run (10:56.65) broke Lautzenheiser’s record with a victory in the 3,200-meter run and Patrick Henry’s Lizzie Powell clipped her own record in the pole vault. She cleared 12-3, two inches better than the mark she set last year.

Nikki Nunn of Manchester was the top field events performer. She won the long jump on Wednesday (18-10.25) and won the triple jump on Thursday (36-08.5). Nunn has won one or the other in previous region meets. This was the first time she’s won both.

“I couldn’t end my [region] career any better,” Nunn said. “I couldn’t get them together before.”

The warm weather suited Nunn, who has had hamstring trouble before but not this year.

“My hamstrings were all warmed up, and I think that contributed to my speed,” Nunn said.

Thomas Dale won the overall team championship with strong performances in field events and picked up a 75-51.5 win over Patrick Henry.

Manchester was the top Dominion District team in seventh place with 38 points. The team used strong field event performances from Nunn and Candice Hairston to pick up the bulk of its points.

On the boys’ side, James River’s Ted Richardson, the region and Group AAA cross country champion, outran strong fields to win the 1,600- and 3,200- meter events and was selected the meet’s outstanding runner.

“I was trying to go out hard and run even splits,” said Richardson after his 1,600-meter victory in which he ran his 400’s in 63, 68, 64 and 65.

“This was big for me because everybody looks at me as a 2-miler,” he added. “I’m happy with the win and I’m content with the time [4:19.58].”

Atlee claimed the top team spot with 79 points, 20 ahead of Thomas Dale.

Cosby was the top local team, finishing fourth with 50.5 points. Full results on the high school scoreboard.

Weldon Bradshaw and Arthur Utley are writers for the Richmond Times-Dispatch.