The Mathews High School indoor track teams performed well in last week’s VHSL Class 1/2 Combined Indoor Track and Field Championships, held on Feb. 28-29 at Liberty University, Lynchburg.

“I’m very pleased and proud of this year’s team,” said head coach Tony Forrest. “Everyone came and improved over the season. I am excited and looking forward to outdoor season as we continue to improve.”

Donovan Forrest was the highest-placing Devil at the state meet, coming in third in the 55-meter hurdles (8.15 seconds). He got to the final round by placing first in his preliminary heat, running the course in 8.02 seconds. Forrest also competed in the 55-meter dash, posting a time of 6.83 seconds in the preliminary round. Although that was good enough for a season best time, he placed 13th and did not advance.

The Mathews 4×800 relay team (juniors David James, Gavin Dustin and Keith Taylor and sophomore Adam Dustin) placed fifth in the finals with a time of 8:32.31. With its time, the 4x800m team set a new school record for MHS.

The Mathews 4×400 relay team (Gavin Dustin, James, Taylor and junior Colin Moore) placed ninth in that event, running the course in 3:41.94. Both relay teams’ times were season bests.

Two members of the relay teams also competed individually. Taylor came in ninth in the 500-meter dash (1:09.76), and 11th in both the long jump (19’8.75”) and triple jump (39’10.5”).

Gavin Dustin came in seventh with season-best time of 2:44.07 in the 1,000-meter run. In the 1,600-meter run, James placed 17th in the finals with a time of 4:51.7.

Sophomore Chance Higginbotham finished in 17th place in the finals of the 3,200-meter run (11:13.24).

For the MHS girls, sophomore Nora Suthard was the only athlete to place, coming in sixth in the triple jump (35’1”), as well as 13th in the long jump (15’9.5”). She also placed 13th in the preliminaries of the 55-meter dash (7.85 seconds) but failed to advance to the final round.