One ran hurdle times that our state has never seen before, and the other conquered a pair of vertical jumps in an unprecedented combination.
Mallard Creek's versatile field event star, Keon Howe, has been named the North Carolina Boys Track & Field Player of the Year by Gatorade. Howe achieved a very rare double this year, clearing 6' 10" in the high jump and 16' in the pole vault - and he got both of those heights in the same meet, at the 4A state championship! His high jump mark tied for the state lead, and his height in the vault tied for second. Howe will continue his track career at UNC Charlotte next year.
Keon Howe's Gatorade POY Profile
Providence Day's dominant hurdler & sprinter, Anna Cockrell, has received the North Carolina Girls Track & Field Player of the Year award. Cockrell currently leads the state in all 3 hurdle races, having set All-Time State Records of 13.21 for 100H, 41.31 for 300H, and 57.70 for 400H. She also has PR's of 11.93 for the 100 and 23.71 for the 200, the second being a wind-legal state leader. Cockrell is among the top 5 returners in the country in all 3 hurdle races, and is in the top 8 in the 200!
Anna Cockrell's Gatorade POY Profile
Both athletes will now be eligible for Gatorade's National Player of the Year, awarded to one male and one female athlete in each sport, and also the overall Athlete of the Year award.