Staff report

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The Next Generation Defenders, a local AAU track and field program, has its first national champion.

Salisbury High sophomore Jordan Waller won the 400 meters in the AAU Indoor Track and Field National Championships that were held on March 7-9 at the Virginia Beach Sports Center.

Waller was clocked in 49.48 seconds to win the division for ages 15-16. That was a meet record for the age group.

Waller also placed sixth in the 200 meters in 22.92.

Samuel Fatovic, a Salisbury High sophomore competing in the 17-18 age group, was fourth in the 1500 in 4:16 and and eighth in the 800 in 2:00.84.

Elijah Fatovic, a race-walker, was second in the 1500 meters in the 12-year-old division in 9:59.

Arya Reid, a shot putter competing in the 7-8 girls division, threw 12 feet, 9.5 inches for seventh place.

About 3,000 athletes from 37 states and Canada competed in the event.