NCRunners Elite Invitational Preview

NCRunners Elite Holiday Invitational

North Carolina's best athletes compete against each other for national rankings and state bragging rights.

 

If you're a fan of track & field in North Carolina, then Santa has brought you an early present: a full invitational plus Elite events featuring top talent from our state and beyond!  Come out to the JDL Fast Track in Winston-Salem on Saturday and you can enjoy both the competition and the wonderful facility.

 

Meet Page

(Performance lists + more)

 

Schedule

(via JDL Fast Track website)

 

Girls' Elite Events:

  • 60 Dash: This race features the top 4 girls in the NC 55 rankings from this season, plus the top 4 returners from last winter.  Ama-Selina Tchume (Wakefield) has the best PR in the field with her 7.09 last year, followed closely by Sydnei Murphy (Apex), who leads the rankings for this winter.  Katie Stone (Stratford Academy) has run 7.74 for a full 60 meters this season, the equivalent of a 7.21 for the 55.  Krysten Golden (St. Thomas Aquinas, FL)  is the wild card in this race - she hasn't run the 55 in 3 years, but she did clock 11.97 for the 100 last spring.  For Imari McLean (Hillside) and Teri Strickland (West Johnston), this will be the first major race of the indoor season after having strong times last winter; in contrast, Lauren White (Leesville Road) and Charminique Hackney (Cary) have impressed with early-season performances.
  • 60 Hurdles: Even though three of the top 5 returners in this event are not competing in December this year (all three are expected back soon), North Carolina still has a ton of hurdling talent.  Jacklyn Howell (Southeast Raleigh) has been the most impressive this winter, and she is the #3 returner from last year.  Based on her time she may be dominant in this race, but the rest of the athletes should be extremely competitive with each other, at a minimum.  Ebony Williams (Parkland) and Kayla Moore (Cummings) have already battled once, with Williams taking the win by 0.01.  Jasmine Moore (Wakefield) and Kylie McMillan (Southern Guilford) posted identical 8.41 times last weekend, but in different locations.  Ariel Davis (Platinum Sports) and Lydia Laws (Western Alamance) are both looking to return to the form of previous years; Davis struggled a bit last winter after an amazing freshman season, while Laws has changed her technique and is improving weekly.
  • 400 Dash: This looks like the race of the day, with the top six seeds consisting entirely of runners with PR's under 57.  The "slower" section has some intriguing out-of-state runners that could post times fast enough to threaten that "faster" heat, though.  Tatiyana Caffee (Miller Grove, GA) is primarily an 800 runner with a PR in the 2:11's, but she has clocked 57's for the quarter.  Stone is a mid-24's 200 runner who also has experience in the 300 Hurdles, but this will be her first indoor 400.  Along with those two, impressive newcomer Charla Ward (Ragsdale) has run 40.75 for the 300 indoors, #2 in the state so far, while Tia Robinson (Wakefield) posted a 1:17.95 for the 500 last weekend.  The top 6 seeds all have very strong pedigrees, starting with Layla White (Cary), the current US leader in the 500.  White was the 4th-fastest returning runner in that event in 2013, and she also clocked an amazing 54.66 indoors last year (US #2 returning time).  Jaleesa Smoot (Salisbury) and Jocelyn Culbreath (Reagan) both broke 56 during outdoor season, while Erin Morrison (Parkland) is currently US #3 in the 500.  It was at this meet last year that Nikolete Hurrinus (Cuthberson) really began to establish herself as a force in the long sprints.  Rounding out the field is Tamani Wilson (Maclay School, FL), who ran 56.36 last year and won the FHSAA 1A state title in the 400.
  • Mile: This looks like a 2-pack race, although you never know this early in the season, when runners are not at full fitness.  The headliner in this race, and in every race she runs this year, is Blake Dodge (West Carteret).  Although her PRat this distance is a few seconds behind two of her competitors, she ran that 4:59 solo and really only turned on full effort in the final 200 (and don't forget that she is NC #2 all-time for the 800 with her 2:09 last spring).  Eliza Dekker (Durham Academy) and Malia Ellington (Community School of Davidson) have both run 4:56 in the past, and that should provide Dodge with a much stronger challenge than she usually gets, even in her state meet races.  Sara Platek (Ragsdale) and Maddy Ringenbach (Ravenscroft) will most likely try to hang with that threesome, but could also form a 4-girl chase pack with Emma Brown (Providence Day) and Kaitlyn Lingard (Greensboro Day).  Word has is that Ringenback clocked a solo 5:09 in a time trial this winter, while Platek has run 5:13 by herself (and she also set the JDL facility record for 3200 earlier this season).

 

Boys' Elite Events:

  • 60 Dash: The defending 4A champion and current US leader in the 55, Jahmaal Daniel (Terry Sanford), is the favorite until someone beats him.  That is a possiblity, though, as North Carolina's best outdoor sprinter, Trentavis Friday (Cherryville), makes his indoor debut this weekend.  Friday is known more for his sustained finishing speed, though you don't run 10.37 for the 100 without some serious acceleration.  That could make for a two-person race up front, with a lot of emphasis on good starts.  If either slips up, youngster Daniel Estrada (Platinum Sports) will be right there to try to move up a spot and hold his NC #2 rankings.  Khiaree Lewis (Sanderson) is looking to demonstrate continuation of the improvement he showed through outdoor season, when he clocked 10.77 for the 100, while Jakara King-Penn (Reagan) has a 10.69 PR.  Justin Titgen (Marvin Ridge) is better known for the longer sprints, but he showed he could handle the short stuff with a strong 60 at the end of last winter.
  • 60 Hurdles: Isaiah Moore (Cummings) returns to defend his NCRunners Elite title from last winter; he is currently US #2 and had the #1 returning time in the country from last winter.  A new PR in this meet would make him the national leader.  The race for second place could be exciting, with four very evenly-matched athletes separated by only 0.06 seconds total considering their all-time bests.  Marcus Krah (Hillside) has the ever-so-slight edge this season, though Emmanuel Jackson (Sanderson) has been coming on strong.  Drew Barker (TC Roberson) hasn't raced yet this winter, but he had the 2nd-fastest returning time in the state from the 2013 indoor season, and Xavier Carter (West Johnston) was right behind him.
  • 400 Dash: With Friday choosing to focus on the short sprints this winter, the door is open for the #2 and #3 returners from outdoor season to battle for early bragging rights here.  Marquavious Johnson (Knightdale) ran 47.16 in the spring, while Jamaree Murray (Southeast Raleigh) shook off a late start to his indoor season in time to clock 47.36.  Murray has also proved his fitness with a flat-track 35.02 in the 300 this winter, while Johnson is making his first start of the season.  Behind those two are four guys who have run in the 48's (although it should be noted that, at this early point, any of these athletes could challenge the top seeds): Henry Kiedy (Knightdale), relative unknown Aaron Hamilton (Northeastern), and twins LeAndre and DeAndre McGill (Northeast Guilford).  Saadiq Sweezer (Eastern Alamance) impressed us last week with a win in the 500 and a quick follow-up in the 300, showing good conditioning.  Likewise, TJ Bleichner (Fuquay-Varina) has been impressive so far this winter; he clearly put in some work during the off-season.

 

Girls' Standard Events: Coming Soon!

Events to Watch

  • Long Jump: There are 4 legitimate 18-foot jumpers here.  Sydnei Murphy (Apex) and Kayla Moore (Cummings) did that last week, while Lydia Laws (Western Alamance) and Imari McLean (Hillside) have hit that mark in past seasons.

  • Triple Jump: Alexis Davis (Butler), making her season debut indoors, headlines a competitive group that should push each other to strong performances.  She will be hounded by Ila Mumford (Parkland), Kaytlyn Gill (Charlotte Christian), Kayla Moore (Cummings), and K'Lynn Beal (Broughton).

  • 55 Dash: This is a warm-up for some of the girls that are running the Elite 60 later in the day (see above), but it's also a proving ground for some athletes that want to become elite.  In addition to Murphy, McLean, Golden, and Tchume, Nyasia Daniels (South Central) makes her indoor debut after clocking 12.37 for the 100 in the spring.  There are also several girls in the field with 7.2's from polar bears, but they need to post an FAT mark to really get considered among the best.

  • 1600 Run: This could be one of the most competitive races of the meet, with at least 7 legitimate contenders for the win.  Anna McElrath (Independence) and Arden Vessie (Corinth Holders) are very evenly matched, while Angela Delfino (Wakefield) and Kayla Glova (Providence) would have to match or exceed their PR's to stay with those two.  Hana Ratcliffe (Durham School of the Arts) is definitely capable of winning the fast section, and Brittney Brinson (Reagan) might be, as well.  Hannah Moerk (East Forsyth) is a veteran and strong competitor that should also be in the mix.

  • 1000 Run: With Malia Ellington (Community School of Davidson) stepping down from the longer races for a bit of speed work, this gets interesting.  Add veteran contender Kaylie Loyd (Southeast Raleigh) and rising star Caitlin Potter (North Lincoln) and you have a nice battle going on.  Mix in Hannah Moerk (East Forsyth) at her best race distance, plus some of the runner's from Cary's state-leading 4x800, and you've got a very competitive event.

  • 4x400 Relay: Parkland and Wakefield have already battled once this year, with the Wolverines getting the slight edge in that race (though the Mustangs took the 4x200).  This time, they may be joined by Southeast Raleigh and Rocky River, two teams that have had solid relays in the past.

 

Athletes to Watch

  • Hunter Welborn (Starmount): had an excellent attempt at what would be a new high jump PR of 5' 8" last weekend.

  • Raven Saunders (Burke, SC): threw beyond 42 feet last spring, first indoor meet ever.

  • Anna Eaton (Apex HS/Kinesis): the only returning 12-foot girl in the state, and she has jumped 11' 6" this winter.

  • Tatiyana Caffey (Miller Creek, GA): the 800 specialist (2:11 PR) is entered in the 500 and the 400 this weekend.

  • Ebony Williams (Parkland): in addition to her hurdling ability, she is one of the state's top 300 runners.

  • Bianca Bishop (Providence): after a great fall season, she's ready for a fast 3200.

 

 

Boys' Standard Events: Coming Soon!

Events to Watch

  • High Jump: The state's best returner in this event, Myles Lazarou, is back in action and looking to start a season where he eclipses his PR of 6' 8.75".  He will be pushed by Isaiah Moore (Cummings), who is a consistent 6' 6" jumper that is long overdue for a breakthrough to the next height.  Four athletes entered at 6' 4" could make the battle for third very interesting.

  • Triple Jump: Noah Grillo (St. Thomas Aquinas FL) has gone 46 feet before, although we don't know if he is in that kind of shape this early (Florida has no indoor season).  Mekhi McGuyver (Asheville) is regularly jumping over 45 this winter, and Marcus Krah (Hillside) has that potential every time he jumps.  Chris Patterson (West Rowan) is jumping for the first time this winter, but he has a PR in the 45's as well.

  • Pole Vault: Michael Utecht (Apex/Kinesis) is the only jumper in the field with a 14-foot clearance on his resume, but there is a trio of 13' 6" guys behind him.  Garrett Anderson (Ravenscroft), Drew Pederson (Apex/Kinesis), and Ronald Campbell (Marvin Ridge) have all hit that mark.

  • 55 Dash: This weekend we're going to learn a LOT about many of the sprinters around the state; in this event, we will learn which polar bear stars are for real on the FAT clock.  With nearly all of the top entries carrying hand times with them, somebody will leave with a big increase in their track cred, especially if he gives Daniel Estrada (Platinum Sports) a good run.

  • 1600 Run: Although there wasn't enough response from the state's top distance runners to hold an Elite Mile for the boys, there is still a good race at the front of the 1600.  Wyatt Maxey (Providence) has been sub-4:20 in the past, and Andrew Fea (North Lincoln) is on his way there after a strong fall and a good start to the winter.  Collin Loy (Southern Alamance) also has his eyes on the teens, and those three should be able to push each other to strong performances.  The wild card is Chris O'Brien (Raleigh Charter), whose PR of 4:38 might not seem to fit with the others mentioned - until you realize that he dropped a full minute off his 5K time this fall.

  • 4x400 Relay: State leaders Southeast Raleigh will get a big push from Knightdale, rejoining a rivalry that never gets old (for the runners or the fans).  Don't forget about NC #2 Northeast Guilford and a Wakefield team that wants to prove the girls aren't the only talents in the school.  That makes for a great way to end the day!

 

Athletes to Watch

  • Isaiah Moore (Cummings): In addition to his hurdling and high jumping, he is currently the nation's best long jumper, and should dominate there.

  • Elijah Mallory (Wakefield), Alex Tate (Marvin Ridge): Mallory is the current state leader, having thrown further already this season (54' 7") than he did all of last year, including outdoors.  Tate burst into the middle of the state rankings with a 53-foor throw last weekend.

  • Justin Marsh (Howard, MD): the 49.03 400 runner ran 35.21 earlier this winter, and is signed up for both the 500 and the 300 this weekend.

  • Josh Barrett (Cary): in a year where nobody has (yet) stepped up to claim dominance in the boys' mid-distances, Barrett will have fresh legs and a good chance to post a state-leading time.

  • Ryan Shannon (North Lincoln), Daniel Beamer (Jordan): two guys with sub-9:40 PR's going at it for eight laps is good stuff for distance fans.