NCRunners went live for most of the day, hopefully it provided some information to those who were out there. 

It was overcast and looked like it would rain in the early morning, it didn’t the sun came out in full force…so did athletes from North Carolina today:

Track Events

The first heat of the Men’s DMR kicked off the final day of competition for North Carolina athletes, the Western Cary TC “Green Hope HS” ran around 10:21 to finish third in the heat.  The opening of the race saw some runners clip the first turn, Scott Hefner lead off for Green Hope running a 3:11 and made a move on the third lap.  He passed the baton off to Mohammad Saad who ran about a 50 second 400, and gave it up to Patrick Mokley who ran a 1:55 800.  The mile leg was run by Zach Roshdy who stayed with the top pack of runners and ended up running a 4:28.  Their final time was 10:22.34 finishing fourth in the heat and thirteenth overall.

“A lot harder than I thought.”  Running in a race he had never even practiced before Dakota Peachee ran the steeplechase in a time of 6:18.85 to finish third in heat.  He didn’t know what to expect in the race, not aware of what times he should be hitting.  After the first lap which was around 75 or 76 he didn’t know whether to slow down or speed up.  Having run the 5000 on Thursday, Dakota felt that race alone didn’t wear him out, but rather running all season did.  Dakota earned an overall place of eleventh and his time was roughtly around a 5:04 for a mile, considering he hurdled four times and also a water jump NCRunners finds that impressive.

Twice as Nice

The final heat of the 400 Hurdles can near the end of the meet, but Spencer Adams surely didn’t disappoint those who waited for him to run.  He went out and ran a 50.99, edging out his closest rival.  It seemed somewhat undecided who won, but when it was announced he won on the jumbotron Spencer flashed a smile and basked in his win.  It was the second win for Spencer in as many days, he capped off his high school career with two big time victories over a talented crowd.  His final kick over the last few hurdles propelled him to victory.  North Carolina seems to produce top notch hurdlers, one can only hope that Spencer and all the other hurdlers inspire many more.

200: Total Domination

Every single athlete that competed in the 200 today earned an All-American status.  Let me repeat that once again, every single athlete from the state who competed in the 200 earned All-American status!!!!  How many were there?  A total of six, two on the women’s side and four on the men’s side.  For the women Kelsey McKorkle and Dominique Weathers, a freshman at Vance, placed third and fourth respectively.  Kelsey running a 24.20 and Dominique running a 24.68.  On the men’s side they placed in spots three through six.  A truly dominating performance, with Hunter Furr the national champion in the 100 running 21.54 for third, Fuqauwn Greene fourth 21.65, Samuel Jordan fifth 22.03, and Darryl Williams 22.05.  It cannot be said how remarkable this accomplishment is.  Everyone is an All-American!

Relays (For the Men’s 4x400 the final results have not been posted, I caught them at 3:14 which will give TEC either places 3 through 5)

The 4x100 finals were today and Track Eastern Carolina (South Central HS) ended up finishing fifth, another All-American status earned in a time of 46.99, the fastest time run in North Carolina this year.  For the men’s 4x400 the rain started to fall and the Track Eastern Carolina (New Bern) also decided to do some heavy pounding on the track.  Running in the third heat, they almost ran entirely by themselves.  They put a time together that is also the number 1 fastest time in the state for this relay with a 3:14, and while final results haven’t been posted they did secure another All-American status in another relay. 

Emerging Elites

Just like in the national event the emerging elites North Carolina athletes dominated the 200.  Christopher Herring who won the 100 yesterday pulled off a double winning the 200.  While on the women’s side Zakiya Tyson won and Paige Eley earned the bronze.

It looked like weather could have damped the mood of the meet.  Thunder, lighting, rain were popping up but it did not deter the spirits of the athletes today.  There were tears shed, yells of ecstasy from the victors, and wide smiles all around.  This track meet displayed what it takes to be the best, and many showed that throughout the three days.  At NCRunners we would like to congratulate all those who competed.