By Marty Gordon
NRVsports@ourvalley.org
Christiansburg High Schools’ track teams have been very successful over the past two years with both region and state titles. This week, three student-athletes from the boys’ and girls’ squads signed letters of intent to continue their careers in college.
Rachel Lloyd, who is the defending state indoor and outdoor pole vault champ, is taking her talents to James Madision, while Madelyn Wright will stay near home and run at Radford University. Mason Conner is headed to Roanoke College.
Wright was the 1A 300-meter hurdler state champion in 2016, and in 2017, qualified for New balance Nationals in the hurdle shuttle relay. Last year, she finished in second place at 3A state meet in the 300 hurdles and 4×4 meter relay.
Lloyd said she chose JMU because the school offered my desired major of Communication Sciences and Disorders.
“I also chose it because they have a great track and field team and an amazing coach for pole vault. I will be focusing on pole vault and will be the first pole vaulter at the university since 2011,” she said.
Lloyd’s personal record is 11feet and is reeling in the championships after only vaulting for the past year in a sport that is male-dominated.
“At high school meets, they often run boys and girls together. At some meets, I end up competing against many boys who hit the same marks as I do or I end up beating. I love seeing that girls can be just as strong and fast as the boys,” she said.
One of goals at JMU is to break their current school record of 12ft and 0.5 inches. “I am so excited to be a part of a new team and I thank God for all of the opportunities I have been given,” Lloyd concluded.
Wright is also excited about the opportunity being presented to her at Radford University. Her current personal records ae 47.2 in the 300-hurdles and 61.1 in the 400 meters.
She plans to major in Allied Health Sciences.
Conner will join teammate Cooper Neeble at Roanoke.
