On Saturday April 19th, the third annual Titan Track Classic was hosted at the Hidden Valley High School track and field where the Titans and neighboring schools competed. At the meet there was 13 teams competing: Blacksburg High School, Cave Spring High School, Franklin County, Hidden Valley High School, James River, Lord Botetourt, Magna Vista, North Cross, Northside High School, Roanoke Catholic School, Roanoke Valley Christian, Salem, and Southwest Virginia Academy. The meet started at 9am for the field events as well as the 4×800 relay; at 10am the running events started on a rolling schedule. For spectators it cost 6 dollars per person at the gate.
The meet can add stress to anyone on the team but especially head coach, Coach Oaks. When it comes to getting ready for the meet most of the preparation and stress falls onto Coach Oaks. “I have to arrange with all the coaches attending as to what field event they will be running, organize concessions and volunteers, and get the place looking nice before our visitors arrive. I’m lucky to have great coaches, athletes, and parents to help me with all that,” states coach Oaks.
But luckily for the team, Hidden Valley tends to thrive at this meet. Coach Oaks says, “It is definitely stressful to host a track meet but wonderful seeing athletes doing so well on our track.” Multiple records were broken alongside multiple 1st place wins! In the 800m Spencer Thacker (12) got 1st with a 1:59.99 and Ty Swank (12) got 5th with a 2:09. Our boys also got two great times in the 1600m with Spencer Thacker (12) getting 1st in the meet with a 4:22.78 qualifying him for an Elite Performance which meets MileSpit US Second Team standard and Jacob Stewart (12) getting 2nd with a 4:26.85. For the girls, freshman Charlotte Hieber got third in the 800m with a 2:34.49 with Senior Leila Ramey not far behind getting fourth with a 2:37.55. Freshman Charlotte Hieber also crushed the 1600m by getting a time of 5:40.27 placing 3rd. We also had 2024-2025 indoor high jump state champion, Lucy Kochenderfer (10) getting 1st with a 5’2 jump height.
The Titans have a few more meets this season with many more records to beat, and from the Titan Times Staff we wish them the best of luck!
