Gallery by Karen Akers
Thursday during the H.B. Thomas Invitational track meet at Shady Spring High School, it was not a night where records were likely to fall.
Westside high jumper Owen Keeney begged to differ.
Jumping under windy and cold conditions with a light, steady rain falling, Keeney not only won the event, he set a new school high jump record in the process.
After leaping his personal best of 6-foot-2 inches in the previous round, Keeney lined up and cleared the bar at 6-foot-4 inches to break Daniel Reed’s school record of 6-foot-3 inches.
“When I got here today, it started raining and I felt like it was going to be a long day,” Keeney admitted. “I started out in the long jump and didn’t do too hot. I got down here to the high jump and was just hoping to do the best that I could and I ended up going beyond. I am blessed.”
Reed was the state champion high jumper in 2021 and breaking his school record was a bit bittersweet for Keeney.
“Daniel was a great jumper and I looked up to him in all sports. I love him and I talk to him all the time. I am really happy and I might have to give him a call later. I don’t know if he will like to hear it though,” Keeney said, laughing.
Setting a school record really never entered Keeney’s mind at the beginning of the track season this year.
In all honesty, the new school record holder had no idea where the season would take him.
“This is the first year that I have ever jumped. I am a little shocked at where I am right now, but this is a great feeling” Keeney said. “I played basketball and I could always jump really well. I may not have been the No. 1 kid on the floor every time, but I am real athletic. This is my senior year and I hadn’t ever done the high jump before, so I decided I would try it.”
Keeney’s jump ties him with Richard Webster from Philip Barbour for the second best effort in the state in Class AA and is just one inch behind Isaiah Miner from Nicholas County for the top spot.
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Oak Hill sprinter Conlan Brooks took high point honors on the boys side Thursday. It was the fourth time this year that Brooks has earned the top spot.
Brooks was first across the line in the both the 100- and 200-meter dashes and finished second in the 400-meter run for a total of 28 points on the night.
“I started training even as early as December (for track season). Seeing how good I was doing in middle school, I knew that running was it for me,” Brooks said. “I love running. It is a part of me now. No matter how bad the race is or how bad it’s hurting in the beginning, afterwards you always feel amazing just seeing how well you did and having that adrenaline rush. The feeling is amazing.”
Although Brooks is among the top-10 best performances in West Virginia this year in both the 100 and 400 meter, he still believes the 200-meter dash is his strongest event.
“I feel like my strong suit is the 200 meter. Most people when they run it, they go 90 to 95 percent on the first 100 (meters) and then fully sprint,” Brooks said. “I fully sprint the whole race. I go 100 percent the whole way. I just have that power and it feels amazing.”
There were signs of things to come last year with Brooks making the state meet in the 100-meter dash, along with participating in the 4×100 and 4×200 meter relays for Oak Hill.
This year the sophomore phenom feels like he can make the big meet in all three individual events.
“I feel like I can make the states in all three. It will definitely take hard work, dedication and being humble. Humbleness is the main key,” Brooks said. “You want to respect your opponents and always feel like you can do better. No matter what you think, there is always somebody out there that is better. Being humble is the key for sure.”
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Individually on the girls side, Lillian Hatfield from Shady Spring won the 100- and 300-meter hurdles. Charlotte McGinnis won the 3200-meter run and Carlee Vannetter won the discus throw to give the Tigers four individual titles.
Riley Chester from Westside won the long jump and the 200 meter dash, while Greenbrier East standouts Annie Whited and Abby Dixon won the 400 meter and 800 meter runs, respectively.
Abby Persinger from Summers County was fastest in the 100-meter dash and James Monroe’s Katie Collins captured the 1600-meter run.
Bella Green from Independence was best in the shot put with Sydney Green from Westside and Maggie Boroski from James Monroe tying in the high jump.
Shady Spring won three relays including the 4×800, 4×400 and the shuttle hurdles. Greenbrier East won the 4×200 relay and Bluefield was first in the 4×100 meter team event.
Beckley captured five individual titles on the boys side Thursday.
Aiden Kneeland dominated the 800 meter and 1600 meter runs, while Michael Haddadin won the 3200 meter run. Ryan Mukhtar was fastest in the 110 meter hurdles and Ty’lai Kimble won the long jump.
James Monroe football standout Braydie Carr edged Brooks for the 400 meter title and Isaac Cutlip from Webster County won the 300 meter hurdles.
Gabe Knoblet from Shady Spring was tops in the shot put and Jordan Harvey from Independence won the discus.
Beckley won the 4×200, 4×100 relays and the shuttle hurdles while Oak Hill captured the 4×400 and 4×800 relays.
