Two Gloucester High School track athletes, Joshua Shackelford and Ainsley Miller, finished in the top five at the state tournament for the 1600-meter run and pole vault, respectively, with Shackelford being crowned state champion in his event. 

Miller, who finished in a tie for fifth place, was also awarded all-state honors.

“I thought we did really well at states,” Miller said of her team. “There were lots of PRs [personal records] and I was proud of the team.” Shackelford echoed this sentiment, adding “the people that did go did really well … I believe everybody PR-ed.”

Shackelford, a William and Mary commit, led the entire first and final laps in his 1600m run, outrunning 18 competitors to claim the state title. With his parents and future coach in the crowd, the GHS senior pulled away in final 50 meters to win the title.

“It was exciting and still hasn’t really sunk in yet,” Shackelford said. “It will proba...