Boys and girls indoor track compete at the VA. Showcase on Jan. 13-14, 2023 at the Virginia Beach Sports Center. 

The VA. showcase is one of the largest high school indoor track meets in the state, with over 50 schools from various different states competing. Within six years this invitational meet has seen 12 national records, four world records along with 150+ U.S. No. 1 performances.

The greatest statistic of this meet is the amount of personal records hit by the competitors. Ocean Lakes hit 12 new personal records by both girls and boys. Senior Sophia Richardson won her heat in the 500m dash and hit a personal record with a time of 1:17.84, making her a qualifier for States. Sophomore Grace Thompson placed 50/210 in the one-mile race, finishing with a personal record by seven seconds with a time of 5:35.66, and junior Preston Haney won his heat in the one-mile race with a time of 4:45.03, a new personal record. 

“I think a lot of runners would agree that even with the race being so crowded, getting to race with people who have similar goals and racing techniques can really help you push yourself to reach places and times you didn’t know you were capable of achieving,” said sophomore Grace Thompson.