NCRunners Elite Preview and Live Updates

Girls Preview - NCRunners Elite Invitational

Events to Watch:

It's hard to pick one girls' distance race to be the focus event, but it looks like the 1600 will be the most competitive of the three.  Melissa Zammitti (Davidson Day) has already crushed her all-time PR in the 3200 this spring, and you have to think she has her sights set on the 5-minute mark.  Likewise for Brittany Stanley (Mt. Pleasant) who ran 5:02.71 indoors.  Isabel Zimmermann (Reagan) should also be in the hunt for a sub-5 time, and Jena Metwalli (Cannon School) brings 2:15 800 speed to the race.  Don't be surprised if Sarah LaTour (Cuthbertson) gets right into the think of that battle, as well.  The "wild card" could be Alessandra Rodriguez (Green Hope), who has had a quiet spring after clocking 5:11 indoors (and she ran 2:19 as an 8th-grader).

The 300 Hurdles will be a clash of veteran experience vs. youthful exuberance.  Shellbi Chapman (Leesville Road) hasn't run the race since her sophomore year, but the senior is in great shape and we expect her to post a big time.  Fellow Class of '16 member Claudia Cox (South Central) also set her PR two years ago, and she wants to get back under 45 before she heads off to college in California.  Throw in upstart freshman Sierra Fletcher (Southeast Raleigh), and we could have the formula for some 43-second performances.  Fletcher is also the top seed in the 100 Hurdles.

With two 36-footers entered and three more over 35 feet, the triple jump should be pretty intense, too.  Southeast Raleigh teammates Charlonda Washington and Jordan Gray hold the top 2 seeds, while Alexis Harris (Jack Britt), Cassidy McNierney (Cleveland), and Kadicha Providence (Cary) provide competition.

The shot put will also be competitive, and could produce multiple 40-foot performances.  Kayla Beasley (Hillside) is already there, having put the shot 41' 5" during indoor season, and she needs to get back to establish herself among a strong group of throwers state-wide this spring.  Southeast Raleigh teammates Candice Whitley and Courtney Murph are also knocking on the door of the 40-foot barrier.

Athletes to Watch:

Southeast Raleigh's relays are worth the price of admission, and they have the potential to dominate.  The Bulldogs currently lead the state with a US #15 1:38.70 in the 4x200, and they ran 3:49 for the 4x400 indoors.  We're really waiting for a big 4x100 from them - after all, 4 girls currently running for Southeast Raleigh ran under 46 last summer on the club track circuit.   Green Hope has a strong 4x1, Cleveland can compete in the 4x2, and South View, Hillside, or Leesville Road could push the Bulldogs in the 4x4.

Zammitti is also entered in the 3200, where she will race Emily Pettis (Leesville Road) and Jennifer Stephenson (Village Christian); both of those opponents very much want to break 11 for the first time, and with the race starting around 6 PM the cooler temperatures could provide a boost to those ambitions.

G'Jasmyne Butler (Leesville Road) hasn't been turned loose yet this season in the 800, but she clocked 3:45 for the 1200 leg of the Pride's US #7 DMR last weekend, and she is already the 5th-fastest in state history in this event.  Let's hope she's ready to put up a huge time this weekend!

It's also about time for Charminiqu Hackney (Southeast Raleigh) to put up some big individual times.  She is currently at 12.05 in the 100, but her PR is 11.73; in the 200, she would like to get her 24.97 season best down in closer to the 24-second barrier.  Isis Brooks (East Forsyth) should provide strong competition in both races, as will Hackney's teammates.

Jessica Wright (Hillside) and Kleo Torres (Southeast Raleigh) will square off