Last year, Anna Passannante ran 2:15 at this meet, taking the lead in the overall state rankings. Who will be the breakout star from this year's UNOFFICIAL JV State Championship?
As the postseason rapidly approaches (the season seeming shorter than usual due to the effect the weather had on early March), the state's elite track & field athletes will be on display at regional and state meets. Before that, however, there's another state championship that focuses on some less-heralded competitors - the UNOFFICIAL JV State Championship, that is! Tomorrow, the state's top youngsters will be in the spotlight, competing for bragging rights (and some really cool medals) and the early edge on being next year's "rising stars." Others, especially those that
Despite the youth of the athletes, there are some individuals that stand out among their peers, and there are a few events that look to be especially competitive. If you're in the Raleigh are tomorrow, consider coming to Green Hope to participate in this celebration, which even the cool temperatures and rain will not be able to dampen! This is by far the BIGGEST Frosh/Soph Invitational EVER, and that could mean outstanding performances across the board despite the conditions.
More Frosh/Soph Invitational Coverage
- LIVE RESULTS
- Performance List
- Meet Program (with preliminary seeding)
- Recent Meet Records: Boys | Girls
Events to Watch
- Girls 100 Dash:
- Boys Distance Races: The top 10 runners have verified times between 4:31 and 4:40, which should make for an exciting final section. Patrick Myers (Corinth Holders) will lead the charge to break 4:30, and at least the weather will favor the distance races. It will be interesting to see what Connor Lane (Cardinal Gibbons), better known for the longer races, can do here - and also interesting to see teammate Sam Grelck get a chance to shine. Myers will also square off against 4 other sub-10 3200 runners, including the Dershem brothers, Gable and Wyatt, as well as David Melville (Northern Guilford, competing unattached). In the 800 Christian Pigues (Trinity Academy) holds the top seed at 1:58, although he is eventually going to bust out something faster. He will have Jeremy Kankula (Atkins, competing unattached) to push him, but it's what might happen behind those two that makes this one so intriguing. With 6 guys that have run under 2:05, there will be a mad dash to stay with the leaders and try to break through into sub-2 territory.
- Girls Triple Jump: With 4 girls who have been farther than 35 feet this year (plus another at 34' 5") this is looking like the most competitive girls' event of the day. Kenyae Majors (Cummings) has a narrow lead in the seeding - see below for her other talents - but she has Chardonel Sutton (Garner) right on her tail. Jordan Gary (Southeast Raleigh) and Cassidy McNierney (Cleveland) are the other 35-footers, while Charlonda Washington (Southeast Raleigh) will be trying to join the club
- Boys 200 Dash: At this time of year, athletes with hand times for season bests always want to put up an FAT mark to legitimize their ability. Of the 8 guys seeded in the 22-second range in this race, 6 have hand times. That means the race is up for grabs, although Jayhlen Washington is tough to bet against in any circumstance (see below).
- Girls Shot Put: With a big PR of 39 feet earlier this week, Kayla Beasley (Hillside) is the favorite. However, it won't be a breeze for her: the Southeast Raleigh throws juggernaut is rolling on, and the Bulldogs will have Courtney Murph and Candice Whitley in contention for the win (both are right around 37 feet this spring).
Athletes to Watch
- Jaquez Torian (Jack Britt, competing unattached): He is the real deal in the 400, having run under 50 twice this season, and he will also be racing in that loaded 200 listed above.
- Kenyae Majors (Cummings): In addition to her triple jump prowess (see above), she is the top seed in the 300 Hurdles and a contender to win the long jump.
- Jayhlen Washington (North Brunswick): He is the top candidate in the 200, and he also holds #1 rankings in the 100 as well as long jump and triple jump, where he has a chance to really dominate. Teammate Cameron Barnhill looks like the only guy that can challenge in the long jump or the 100, and the triple could be a massacre.
- Clare McNamara (Chapel Hill): The 800 at this meet made a star out of Anna Passannante last year, and this time around it could be McNamara's turn. Her 2:18.80 is by far the best seed time in that event.
- Ben Finger (North Gaston): Carrying on in the tradition of his older sister Mariel, he is by far the best vaulter in the meet with a season best of 12' 7". When all but a few of the other boys are done jumping, Finger will be just getting started.
- Kylia Wright (Southeast Raleigh): The only girl in the field that has run under 26,
- Matt Butler (Garner): His 49-foot season best in the shot put makes him a heavy favorite (get it?), and the only question might be whether he can crack the 50-foot mark.