Church, Cobbs shine at Regionals

Seven Cougar runners headed to States

By CODY DALTON
cody@southwesttimes.com



CHRISTIANSBURG – Seniors Amber Church and Robert Cobbs were impressive on Saturday ay the Region IV indoor track meet, as seven Cougars are on their way to the Tolsma Track Center at Liberty University for State Championships.

Amber Church led the way for Pulaski, as she captured three championships and three runner-up finishes for the team. With those three championships, Church set new marks for Region IV in the 55 meter hurdles (8:56), 55 meter dash (7:35), and high jump (5-4). All three of her runner-up finishes in long jump (18-0), triple jump (35-3), and 300 meter dash (43:58) were also personal bests.

“Amber has done a great job this season,” said Cougars indoor track coach Jamie McCarty. “She is stronger and faster than last year and has worked tremendously hard, and it is really showing in her performance, she right now is one of the best female athletes in the state of Virginia.”

Joining Church on the girl’s side are both Pearl Meredith and Grace England. Meredith finished sixth in the girl’s 500 meter dash and England finished fifth in the 3200 meter run with a personal best time (12:15).

Robert Cobbs won his first ever Region Championship in the boy’s 55 meter dash. That performance was also a new meet record with a time of 6.76. He would also finish third in the 300 meter dash with a new personal time (36.97).

“Robert has had a great season,” McCarty said. “He is the perfect example of what hard work can do for you, he has done this for 3 years and just improves every time out”

Other finishes on the boy’s side were third and fourth by Matt Songer and Chuck Stone in the shot put at the event and Ethan Barker finished sixth in the 55 meter hurdles.

Pulaski finished seventh in boy’s competition as a team with 27 points, while the girl’s team finished fourth with 65 points (just two points behind second and four behind third). Blacksburg took home both the boy’s and girl’s titles.

These Cougars now have two weeks to prepare, as they set their sites for the VHSL State meet at Liberty University on Feb. 27.