VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — It still remains that some of the best track athletes in the nation come from Virginia. But back in 2015 Nolan Jez-Hammer, founder of the Virginia Showcase, really realized it.
"Some of the best athletes in the country were in Virginia and we were all traveling out of state," he said. "W figured, 'why not just bring everyone here where all the elite athletes are?'"
Since then, its gone from a regional to a national caliber event that people from 30 plus states are coming to annually.
But its the household names that helped give Virginia some of this street cred.
"Grant Holloway is obviously from here, Noah Lyles. Michael Cherry, Francena McCorory, there are so many gold medalist that come from here. People don't realize pound for pound Virginia is one of the best track and field states in the country."
The event has been happening for 8 years however its the fourth time having it in Virginia Beach. Teams come from all over including California, Oregon, and Nevada. In the past Jez- Hammer has seen athletes come all the way from Alaska. This only intensifies the competition, athletes say.
"Its people from all around the country so the competition is a lot different than at home," said Carolina McCaffrey, a senior in high school from Maryland. "It just feels really alive in here which helps feed your performance a lot."
"The competition is top notch. You've got kids from all over the country setting national and regional records here," said her father, E.J. "The best of the best come here to compete."
Out of the eight years its' been held, there have been 17 national records set and four world records set at the event.