July 09, 2021

Gooden and Bourne named 2021 Gatorade Virginia Track & Field Players of the Year

photos: Mary Ann Magnant

USATF Virginia members Lena Gooden, 15, of Manassas and Michael Bourne, 18, of Moseley have been selected as the 2021 Gatorade Virginia Track & Field Players of the Year.

LENA GOODEN (sopohmore, Osbourn Park H.S.)

The 5-foot-6 sophomore won the long jump at the Class 6 state meet this past season, leading the Yellow Jackets to a fifth-place finish as a team. Gooden’s leap of 20 feet, 3.75 inches set a state-meet record and at the time of her selection, it ranked No. 8 nationally among 2021 prep competitors in her event. Gooden won the 100m, 200m, and 400m as well as the long jump at the Region 6B Championships, setting meet records in each discipline. She also took second in the 400m and fourth in the 100 at the state meet.

Gooden has maintained a weighted 4.21 GPA in the classroom. She will begin her junior year of high school in the fall.

A member of the National Art Society of American, Gooden is an active participant with the Osbourn Park High Black Student Union as well as the school’s Counseling Advisory Council. She has donated her time on behalf of multiple community service initiatives through her church.

Gatorade announcement (with official press release)

MICHAEL BOURNE (senior, Cosby H.S.)

The 6-foot-2, 178-pound senior swept the 110- and 300m hurdles events at the Class 6 state meet this past season, leading the Titans to a 13th-place finish as a team. Bourne set personal-best marks in both events at the state meet and, at the time of his selection, Bourne’s time of 13.69 seconds in the 110m hurdles ranked No. 7 nationally among 2021 prep competitors. Also a two-time state indoor champion in the 55m hurdles, his 37.29 in the 300m hurdles this spring ranked No. 18 nationally.

Bourne has maintained a weighted 4.63 GPA in the classroom. He has signed a National Letter of Intent to compete on an athletic scholarship at the University of South Florida this fall.

The 2021 Student of the Year at Cosby High, Bourne has volunteered locally at the Midlothian Family YMCA and with the Special Olympics. A National Art Society member, he has also donated his time as a youth track and football coach.

Gatorade announcement (with official press release)