IMG Track & Field Impresses in Virginia

IMG Track and Field came back from winter break with a bang.

From January 14th through the 17th, Track and Field traveled to Virginia Beach for the 2021 VA Showcase. The highlight of the event was Jaylen Slade, as he won the invitational boys’ 300-meter dash with an outstanding time of 32.77 seconds. Not only did he wing the event, but he also went down as the US #2 all time effort for the 300 meter. Slade, when asked about his accomplishment commented, “It makes me feel proud. I believe in my ability and training that my coach gave me [to be able to] accomplish that.” Slade also added how it put an already elite program in a national spotlight saying, “It shows IMG has really talented coaches who are there to help you no matter what. They are there to see you succeed as a person and an athlete.” 

Possibly a bigger story from this showcase that caused controversy occurred in the invitational boys’ 500m dash. IMG senior Ashton Schwartzman is said to have placed 2nd in the event, but had an identical time to the winner Justin Braun of 1:02.67 minutes. This time is considered the fastest time in the nation, yet Braun is the only runner receiving the credit. This caused an uproar throughout the Academy, as even on the showcases website the result shows Schwartzman in second place even though he had an identical time. Despite this unfortunate occurrence, the girls’ side of the program still had a solid showing at the showcase as well.

Senior Hannah Douglass placed 2nd in the invitational girls’ 300-meter dash, Sophomore Carly McNat placed 2nd in the HS girls’ 3200 meter, Juniors Natalia Illieva and Grady Moyer placed 2nd and 6th respectively in the HS girls’ pole vault, and Senior Jaden Francis placed 8th in the HS girls’ 500 meter. Other girls in the program finished just outside the top ten in their respective events. All across the board the 2021 VA Showcase was an impressive showing for the IMG Academy Track and Field Program.