These three race each other a lot. This time, though, the stakes are high, with a Golden Ticket to the Dream Mile on the line for the winner.
Several North Carolina athletes are headed to Florida today to compete in the Golden South Classic, including a strong contingent from Fayetteville as well as a strong group of distance runners. It's no surprise that a number of the state's best are entered in the mile, as the reward for winning is an automatic berth in the Dream Mile in New York City. Malia Ellington (Community School of Davidson), Ryen Frazier (Ravenscroft), and Eliza Dekker (Durham Academy) are all in the race, as is Kate Sanborn (Jack Britt). They will face Lucy Biles (Herriman UT), who has run 4:49 in the past, and Danielle Jones (Desert Vista AZ), who clocked 4:48 earlier this season. That should ensure a strong pace, although it will be interesting to see how the western runners handle the Florida humidity. Will one of them bring a Golden Ticket back to North Carolina this weekend?
The distance runners aren't the only stars headed South, though. Carlecia Spivey (Douglas Byrd), who failed to make the state meet, will get a chance to redeem herself in the long jump against a loaded field, while Darryl Shaw (Jack Britt) should be in contention to win the triple jump. Qizeah Jackson (Westover) will be in the high jump and looking to duplicate the 5' 10" jump she got once this season. A pair of strong vaulters is also making the trip: Mariel Finger (North Gaston) and Luke Ward (Mount Tabor). Lauren White (Carolina Elite) will be in the long jump and the sprints. Brooke Turner (Tuscola) is entered in the 800, where she is looking to close in on the 2:15 mark.
Golden South Classic Meet Page