Field
Shot Put
Aaron Wilkerson (Southern Guilford) sits at NC#4 All-Time in the shot put and has his sites set on Jon Beyle's indoor state record of 61-10. Wilkerson's best mark come from the VA Showcase at 60-0.5. Three other boys, Sherrod Greene (Rocky Mount), Kyin Howard (Eastern Guilford) and Trevor Holt (Charles Aycock) have thrown over 50 feet this indoor season. Greene is the reigning outdoor shot put champion and has thrown 57-1. This is Greene's first indoor season and he has only thrown twice so far this season.
Pole Vault
Both Ben Finger (North Gaston) and Jacob Hickerson (Chapel Hill) have jumped 14-0 this indoor season as they enter a foot above the 3rd seed Charles Cooley (West Carteret) who is at 13-0. Hickerson's 14-0 mark comes from early November and has eclipsed 13-0 a handful of times since. Finger's dad informed us that he did pick up an injury a few weeks ago at the Wake Forest Invitational, but hopes to be ready to go come meet day.
High Jump
Gabe Stainback (Concord) comes in as the defending champion and state leader in this event at 6-6. He tied with Sean Jones (A.C. Reynolds) at 6-4 last season, but won the competition on the least amount of missed attempts. Jones has jumped 6-3 this indoor season and Samuel Helm (Terry Sanford) has also jumped 6-3 as he looks to put himself into the mix for a state title as well.
Long Jump
Gabe Stainback (Concord) and Sean Jones (A.C. Reynolds) were both on the podium last year and enter as the only two boys over 22 feet in 3A this year. Stainback's best mark is 22-0.5 while Jones is at 22-0 which will make for an exciting long jump competition between the two boys. Brandon Chapman (Hunt) will be looking to eclipse 22 feet for the first time and enters as the 3rd overall seed.
Triple Jump
Daniel Best (Eastern Wayne) comes in with the best mark by over a foot of 44-6. Best is in his first indoor season and will be competing in his first ever state championships. Darrin Elmore (White Oak) is the next best competitor at 43-5 followed by Marcus Mcdonald (Southern Durham) at 44-2.