NOVA Athletic Club youth athletes continue to make their mark in track and field this summer. South Riding resident Brandon Polk led NOVA’s charge at the AAU Area 3 National Qualifier June 26 in Upper Marlboro, Md.

Polk won the 100-meter dash in 11.3 seconds and placed second in the 200 meters for Intermediate (ages 15-16) boys. His teammate, Saurav Velleleth placed third in the 800 meters in a personal record time of 2:33.3 for Midget (11-12) boys. Velleleth was also fifth in the 1,500 meters.

NOVA A.C. was also well represented at the AAU Area 4 National Qualifier June 26 in Hagerstown, Md.

Will Smagh finished first in the 1,500 meters (4:57) and placed fifth in the 800 meters (2:33) in the Youth (13-14) boys division. Elizabeth Long crossed the finish line second in a personal record time of 5:02.48 in the 1,500 meters and was also third in the 800 meters in the Young Women (17-18) group. Paul Long delivered a personal best time of 5:21 in the Intermediate boys’ 1,500 run.

Those strong finishes qualified the local athletes for the AAU Junior Olympics, set for July 30 through Aug. 6 in New Orleans. 

Russell among elite

Jonathan Russell, another NOVA A.C. competitor who recently won three state varsity titles as a member of Broad Run High School’s track and field team, is one of 40 athletes (ages 16-17) selected to represent the United States in the World Youth Championship, July 6-10 in Lille, France.

Russell will compete in the 400-meter hurdles in France following his record-setting performance at the World Youth Trials June 29 in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Russell won the event at the trials in 52.48 seconds.

Russell is coached by Fenton Hugg, an assistant coach at Broad Run and a volunteer head coach for NOVA A.C.

Sweet victory

NOVA A.C. athletes Sydney Jenkins and Travis Hugg each won two individual titles and one relay crown at the Hershey’s Track & Field Virginia State Meet June 25 at Monticello High School in Charlottesville.

Kayla Hugg, Maya Whitfield and Spencer Jenkins raced to an individual crown each and were also members of winning relay squads.

Each individual champion will learn later this month if their finish times are fast enough to represent Region 8 in the Hershey’s Track & Field North American Final, Aug. 6 in Hershey, Pa.

Here is a look at the events won with times:

Ages 9-10
50 dash: Maya Whitfield (7.34)
100 dash: Kayla Hugg (13.97)
200 dash: Sydney Jenkins (28.72)
400 run: Sydney Jenkins (1:08.59)
400 girls relay: Leah Polk, Kayla Hugg, Sydney Jenkins, Maya Whitfield (59.37)

Ages 11-12
100 dash: Spencer Jenkins (13.40)
200 dash: Travis Hugg (27.02)
400 run: Travis Hugg (1:01.06)
400 girls relay: Aniah Bryant, Victoria Preast, Kate Ervin, Maya Girdy (59.84)
400 boys relay: Saurav Velleleth, Travis Hugg, Jaelin Vaughn, Spencer Jenkins (55.87)