Radford High coaches and student-athletes received recognition at the Radford City School Board meeting on July 8 for state-level finishes in track and tennis, and the board heard an update on the school’s track resurfacing project.

Track coach Cody Roberts told the board the program had its largest turnout during his tenure and highlighted team results: the girls finished ninth in the state and the boys finished third. Roberts named members of state-placing relays and individual medalists, including the boys’ 4x100 relay that finished first in the state with a time Roberts gave as "42.39 seconds," and Essex Williams, who placed first in the 200 and won the indoor 300 earlier in the year.

Roberts said the relay team “almost set a state record” and described the season as a testament to the athletes’ determination despite practice disruptions. He presented an indoor championship ring to Essex Williams during the meeting.

In tennis, a board member and a coach acknowledged both boys’ and girls’ teams advancing to the state quarterfinals. Lydia (surname not specified in the transcript), a Radford player and a junior, was recognized for winning the girls’ singles state championship this year after finishing runner-up in prior years. Lydia and doubles partner Kira Sarton were named to the All-State Tennis Team; Sarton was not present at the meeting.

The superintendent provided details about the track resurfacing project at Radford High. He said a special running-surface asphalt will be laid and then must sit for 14 days; after that, polyurethane and lane markings will be applied, which require another 14 days before normal use. "It's a special asphalt ... that's best for running instead of driving," the superintendent said. The superintendent asked the community to avoid using the track during the cure periods and said the district will install carpeted ingress and egress paths to keep cleats and vehicles off the new surface.

Board members and coaches praised students’ leadership and work ethic. The recognitions and the resurfacing timeline were presented as forward-looking: coaches celebrated current accomplishments while the administration described facility improvements that officials said should be complete within several weeks.