VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- Nine Captains picked up VaSID All-State Men's Outdoor Track & Field honors, while Daniel Fox, Tyler Palmer, and CJ Reeders represented Christopher Newport on the first-team squad, which was announced by the Virginia Sports Information Directors on Thursday afternoon.

Rounding out their decorated campaigns, Fox and Reeders earned first-team accolades for the second time in 2023 after garnering top plaudits for their work during the indoor season as well. Fox was honored as a sprinter, while Reeders secured recognition in the jumps. Meanwhile, Palmer joined them on the state's top squad after starring in the throws throughout the year.

Along with the first-team honorees, six standouts garnered second-team nods. Ethan Anderson, Jack Armel, and Wade Dunkelberger were honored in the jumps, while Dante Ntiganzwa was celebrated in the throws. Additionally, on the track, Daniel Ferrante was one of Virginia's top stars in the mid-distance events, and John Vogel dominated in the distance races.

One of the nation's leading sprinters, Fox qualified for the national championships in the 100 after setting a new school record in the event with a time of 10.42 at the Dennis Craddock Coaches Classic. That also marked the sixth-fastest clocking in the NCAA during the 2023 campaign. Eventually, he placed 17th at the title meet after winning league crowns in both the 100 and 4x100-relay at the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference Championships.

In addition to his starring role in the 100, Fox also ranked 18th in the country in the 200 after posting a 21.28 mark at the Dennis Craddock Coaches Classic. Overall, he garnered All-Region accolades in both events and was a five-time Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference Track Athlete of the Week honoree during his junior campaign.

Receiving recognition for his performance in a variety of throwing events, Palmer excelled throughout his third year with the Captains. During the spring season, he unleashed a 15.62-meter heave in the shot put at the Williams Final Qualifier. That throw ranked 38th on the national charts and earned him All-Region accolades. It also marked the third-longest toss in Christopher Newport history.

Equally impressive in the other throwing events, Palmer earned All-Conference plaudits in the hammer after placing second at the league meet with a PR of 43.10 meters. He also added a 42.52-meter launch in the discus at the Eastern Shore Challenge. That placed him 10th in the South Region during the outdoor season.

Returning to the national championships in the triple jump, Reeders placed 12th in the country in the event after landing a distance of 14.55 meters at the NCAA meet. Earlier in the year, he registered a season-best mark of 14.82 meters while winning the league title at the conference championships. That effort ranked third in the South Region and was the 15th-best effort in the country during the 2023 campaign.

Along with his work in the triple jump, Reeders won conference crowns in the long jump and 4x100-relay. For that showcase, he was named the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference Men's Field Athlete of the Meet. Meanwhile, his 7.07-meter leap in the long jump at the league meet placed him sixth on the regional charts. 

Making his mark in the high jump, Anderson ranked second in the South in the event after topping 1.96 meters at the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference Championships. That not only earned him All-Region accolades, but it also locked up his first career league title. Additionally, it equaled the sixth-highest clearance in program history and established a new personal-best by over two inches.

Ranked in the top-50 nationally in the pole vault, Armel continued his award-winning career with a superb senior season. During the spring, he established a new outdoor PR with a 4.67-meter clearance at the Williams Final Qualifier in May. That height placed him 46th in the NCAA and fourth in the South Region. He also won the league title in the event after eclipsing 4.46 meters at the conference competition.

After qualifying for the NCAA Championships in the indoor high jump during the winter, Dunkelberger starred throughout the spring as well. During the outdoor season, he matched the top clearance at the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference Championships with a 1.96-meter height. That effort earned him All-League and All-Region accolades while equaling the sixth-best showing in program history.

Polishing off an exceptional junior season, Ferrante repeated as the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference champion in the outdoor 1500 after claiming the league title in 3:55.52. He also threw down a season-best mark of 3:54.43 at the Widener Final Qualifier. In addition to his track & field exploits, he also earned All-Conference and All-Region nods in cross country while qualifying for the NCAA Championships in the fall.

Celebrated as one of the region's top throwers, Ntiganzwa secured an All-Conference citation in the shot put after placing second at the title meet with a 13.73-meter launch. He also added a 13.91-meter heave at the Dennis Craddock Coaches Classic. Meanwhile, in the hammer throw, he uncorked a 50.67-meter toss at the Williams Final Qualifier. That ranked sixth in the South Region and third in program history.

Shining in the 3000-steeplechase, Vogel hauled in All-Conference honors in the event after coming in second at the league meet with a time of 9:53.78. Earlier in the year, he registered a season-best mark of 9:32.33 at the Colonial Relays, which placed him sixth on the regional charts. Additionally, he added All-League accolades in cross country and placed 54th at the NCAA South Championships during a fantastic fall campaign.

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