Kowal’s record-setting vault, Carlin’s two wins help New Kent capture track invitational title

By Alan Chamberlain | March 22, 2015 12:09 pm

New Kent's Andrew Carlin (second from left) leads the pack as runners in the Shoot the Gun & Run meet's 1600 meters emerge from the first curve. Carlin ran away from the field to easily win.

Alan Chamberlain photos

New Kent’s Griffin Kowal set a new meet record in pole vault while teammate Andrew Carlin won two events to lead the host Trojans to first place in Saturday’s annual Shoot the Gun & Run invitational track meet.

New Kent amassed 128 points, 22 ahead of runner-up James Monroe’s 106. Cumberland finished third with 98 in the 12-school competition followed closely by Warhill’s 97.

Kowal cleared 13 feet, six inches to break the old pole vault record of 12-6 set in 2013.

Carlin, meanwhile, ran away from the pack early in the 1600-meter race to win in 4:30.65, almost 15 seconds ahead of his nearest competitor. Later, he won at 3200 meters, posting a time of 10:21.13 and holding off Peninsula Catholic’s Max Weidman who took second in 10:28.51.

New Kent’s Lady Trojans finished in a three-way tie with West Point and Cumberland for fifth place with 52 points. James Monroe won the girls’ portion with 122 points followed by Armstrong (115½) and Warhill (105).

Other results (New Kent only)

Boys: Shot- 2. Josh Dixon 38-6½; 4. Hunter Ferrell 37-2; 5. John Elswick 35-8. Discus- 5. Matthew Sipe 87-8; 6. Elswick 87-8; 8. Michael McKracken 81-0. Pole vault- 3. Zach Ford 7-6; 4. Ben Mitton 7-6. Long jump- 4. R.J. Morris 19-6. Triple jump- 5. Morris 38-3; Kyle Coles 37-1; 8. Nate Cook 36-0. 100- 3. Nick Crewe 11.65. 200- 5. Crewe 24.37. 400- 5. Gil Ploppert 58.4. 800- 2. Ford 2:04.33. 1600- 5. Holden Minor 5:05.81; 6. Brian Stevenson 5:13.55. 3200- 6. James Giffin 12:02.49. 4×100- 4. NK 47.65. 4×400- 3. NK 3:44.08. 4×800- 3. NK 9:33.59.

Girls: Shot- 2. Caitlin McClain 32-6. Discus- 2. McClain 102-9. High jump- 3. Kayla Davis 4-6. Pole vault- 2. Michaelia Gatling 7-0. Triple jump- 8. Davis 30-1. 400- 7. Vanesah Rackly 72.06. 1600- Laura-Ann Kinder 7:45.26. 4×100- 5. NK 57.81.

New Kent’s R.J. Morris sails into the pit to finish fourth in long jump.

Lady Trojan Jenisha Paxton heads out of the first exchange zone in the 4x100 meter relay after taking the baton from teammate Abby Spangler.

Lady Trojan Jenisha Paxton heads out of the first exchange zone in the 4×100 meter relay after taking the baton from teammate Abby Spangler.

New Kent's Kyle Coles takes the baton from teammate William Bradby in the first exchange in the 4x100 meter relay.

New Kent’s Kyle Coles takes the baton from teammate William Bradby in the first exchange in the 4×100 meter relay.