Trentavis Friday (Cherryville) leads a deep and very talented group of boys capable of staying in the national rankings all spring.

North Carolina is loaded with talent in the boys' sprint and hurdle races, and should have athletes in the national rankings all season.  There will also be some competitive battles for state titles in some of the classifications.  This lists below are separated into the state's top national-caliber stars, plus those athletes that should be contenders at the state meet.  Only FAT times were used to determine these lists.  There is always someone who doesn't quite make the list, or improves enough to become a "surprise" contender - if you think someone that's not in this article deserves recognition, add their name in the comments section!

Overall:

• Trentavis Friday (Cherryville): US #5 returner in the 100 (10.37), #3 in the 200 (20.79), and #7 in the 400 (46.97); also the indoor national leader at 60 meters (6.70), and US #2 in the 55 (6.30).

• Isaiah Moore (Cummings): US #3 returner in the 110H (13.64); US #1 this winter in the 55H (7.28) and US #4 in the 60H (7.96); PR of 39.20 for 300H

• Jahmaal Daniel (Terry Sanford): US #25 returner in the 200, plus the #2 100-runner in the state; US #6 in the 60 dash (6.81) this winter, plus 35.22 in the 300

• Juwan Crowder (Forest Hills): US #3 mark in the 55 dash this winter; PR's of 10.67

• Marquavious Johnson (Knightdale): US #10 returner in the 400 (47.16), US #2 in the 500 (1:04.05) this winter

• Jamaree Murray (Southeast Raleigh): US #16 returner in the 400 (47.37); US #3 in the 500 (1:04.36) & US #16 in the 300 (34.50) this winter, plus 6.50 in 55 Dash

• Daniel Estrada (Platinum Sports): US #22 in the 60 dash (6.89) this winter, plus US #11 in the 55 (6.36)

• Xavier Brown (South View): US #12 returner in the 300H (37.38)

NCHSAA 4A

Of the national-caliber guys listed above, only Johnson, Murray, and Brown are in the state's largest-schools classification.  That means lots of opportunity for competitive 4A state meet races among young men like these:

• Quashawn Cunningham (Mallard Creek): 10.69 for 100, 21.62 for 200; 6.36 for 55 Dash & 34.66 for 300 Dash (US #22) this winter

• Nyheim Hines (Garner): 10.64 for 100, 14.37 for 110H, 38.28 for 300H

• Bryce Love (Wake Forest): 10.68 for 100, 21.64 for 200, PR of 48.27 for 400

• Jakara King-Penn (Reagan): 10.69 for 100, 6.49 for 55 Dash this winter

• Kimani Hoffman (Knightdale): 21.81 for 200; 7.51 for 55 Dash this winter

• Kaylan Love-Soles (Rocky River): 21.93 for 200; 

• Henry Kiedy (Knightdale): 48.21 for 400

• Drew Barker (T. C. Roberson): 14.39 for 110H; 7.59 for 55H this winter

• Marcus Krah (Hillside): 14.60 for 100H; 7.48 for 55H this winter

• Emmanuel Jackson (Sanderson): 7.48 for 55H this winter

NCHSAA 3A

Barring injury, Daniel should dominate the 100 and 200 in this classification.  Here are some other top returners or indoor competitors:

• Damian Silver (Nash Central): 14.74 for 110H, 7.45 for 55H this winter

• Brandon Gambrell (North Forsyth): 39.93 for 300H

• DeAndre McGill (Northeast Guilford): 48.85 for 400; 1:05.72 for 500 this winter

• LeAndre McGill (Northeast Guilford): 48.85 for 400; 35.76 for 300, 1:05.68 for 500 this winter

• Deandre Thompkins (Swansboro): 49.04 for 400

• Ladante Ellerby (Terry Sanford): 6.52 for 55 Dash this winter

• Tyshawn Siders (Jacksonville): 10.86 for 100; 6.55 for 55 Dash this winter

• Saadiq Sweezer (Eastern Alamance): 35.45 for 300, 1:05.38 for 500 this winter

NCHSAA 2A

Once Crowder is healthy, he has the potential to dominate the 100, and should improve greatly on his 200 time.  Of course, Moore will dominate the hurdles in this classification, but there are some other athletes that can compete for state titles:

• Brian Sessoms (Carver): 10.69 for 100, 21.64 for 200; 6.52 for 55 Dash this winter

• Amari Devaughn (T. W. Andrews): 22.04 for 200, 48.28 for 400; 1:06.75 for 500 this winter

• Aaron Hamilton (Northeastern): 48.63 for 400; 36.23 for 300 this winter

• Daequon Carr (Kinston): 6.45 for 55 Dash this winter

• Dylan Andrade (Forbush): 39.77 for 300H

NCHSAA 1A

Friday is the top sprinter in the state, let alone the classification of smallest public schools; as long as he stays healthy, he's a lock to win 3 state titles.  The hurdles are up for grabs, though, especially the 300H:

• Johnny Frasier (Princeton): 10.74 for 100

• Malcolm Hunter (Lejeune): 15.23 for 110H, 42.45 for 300H

• Dequan McGuire (North Edgecombe): 16.18 for 110H, 42.51 for 300H

• Tyler Sprouse (Camden): 42.82 for 300H

NCISAA 3A

This classification is incredibly competitive in the 100 & 200, with no clear favorites but several returners in the same time range.  The hurdles and the 400 do have returning favorites, although there are some challengers within range.

• Jonathan Avery (Cary Academy): 11.02 for 100, 22.31 for 200; 6.74 for 55 Dash this winter

• Josh Broadway (Charlotte Christian): 14.80 for 110 Hurdles; 6.74 for 55 Dash & 7.77 for 55H this winter

• Kanyon Tuttle (Charlotte Latin): 11.05 for 100, 

• Bo Hines (Charlotte Christian): 22.07 for 200, 11.11 for 100

• Ellis Pace (Christ School): 11.07 for 100, 22.31 for 200

• Gregory Harper (Ravenscroft): 11.13 for 100, 22.38 for 200

• Christian White (Charlotte Latin): 49.02 for 400

• Isaac Johnson (Providence Day): 40.49 for 300 Hurdles, 15.32 for 110 Hurdles

NCISAA 1A/2A

If he remains healthy, Jordan Brown will dominate the sprints in this classification.  The hurdles, however, are a complete toss-up among several contenders.

• Jordan Brown (Davidson Day): 10.96 for 100, PR's of 21.79 for 200 and 49.56 for 400 from 2012

• Ian Salman (Gaston Day): 16.29 for 110 Hurdles, 42.35 for 300 Hurdles

• Sam Argo (Westchester Country Day): 16.76 for 110 Hurdles, 42.83 for 300 Hurdles

• Caleb Brockman (Victory Christian): 42.64 for 300 Hurdles, 17.15 for 110 Hurdles

• Harrison Czajkowski (Trinity School of Durham & Chapel Hill): 16.80 for 110 Hurdles