Weddington Invitational & Alton Tyre Relays Impressions

Mar 12, 2017

Weddington Invitational

Boys 1600

Evan Harris (Lake Norman) is in phenomenal shape and even though his focus in on the 800, I think he could be a contender for the 4A title in the 1600 with his fantastic finishing speed. The race went out slow as the leaders went through the 800 in 2:20. Harris waited until one lap to go and made his move and threw down a 57 second final 400 to win in 4:25.39. Haywood Ferguson (South Mecklenburg) took 2nd in 4:28.41 and also had a quick last 400 in 59 seconds. Freshman Adam Habas (Providence Day) took 6th running 4:34.98! A massive time for a freshman and will put him at the head of the boys freshman 1600 rankings.

Girls 1600

Sarah LaTour (Cuthberton) doubled back from a 3200 and 4x800, which she won, and battled it out with conference rival Sarah Bechtel (Weddington) who was coming off a DMR 1600 leg. Similar to the boys race, the girls were out slow. 2:45 for the first 800. Micaela Gammon (Lincoln Charter) had had enough of the slow pace and began to push it up front. But as they approached one lap to go LaTour took the lead with Bechtel in chase. Bechtel looked like she was going to pass LaTour going into the last 100 meters, but LaTour had too much left in the tank winning in 5:13.81 to Bechtel's 5:13.99.

Boys Pole Vault

Ben Nason (Providence Day) is a serious threat for the NCISAA 3A Boys Pole Vault title. Nason ended his first year vaulting with an outdoor PR of 10-6. At CISAA Relays this week Nason vaulted 11-6, and just a few days later at the Weddington Invitational Nason jumped 13-6 beating a strong field and bringing home a foot and a half PR. Matthew Eberhard (Weddington) and Andrew Anastasio (Lake Norman) also vaulted 13-0 taking 2nd and 3rd respectively which is a new PR for both.

Girls 400

Emily Rittberger (Porter Ridge) and Jordyn Tate (Butler) had a tight battle in the 7th Heat of 400s where they both finished at 1:00.85! Tate was in lane 8 while Rittberger was in lane 2 with Tate being ahead for the most of the race. Tate tied up as she approached the finish line allowing Rittenburg to reel her in over the last few meters. Rittenberger was awarded the win

Boys Triple Jump

Terrance Lackey (Mooresville) took 3rd in the triple jump in his first indoor season at the NCHSAA 4A Championships where he posted a big PR of 44-9. Lackey proved he is no one hit wonder as he beat Austin Richardson, who holds an outdoor PR of 46-6, with a jump of 45-2! As Lackey is becoming much more experienced in the horizontal jumps, I suspect he has a lot more in store this outdoor season.

Girls Team Scores

Butler had a strong day in the relays propelling them over NCHSAA 3A Indoor Champions Cuthbertson by 9 points! Providence Day took 3rd with 64 points followed by Weddington at 62. Though most teams don't compete for team titles at non championship style meets, Butler's performance is impressive and will make them a team to watch throughout the outdoor season.

Boys Team Scores

Weddington edges Providence Day with a score of 76 to 73. Weddington had a strong day with their distance crew and managed to beat PD without star sprinters Emerson Douds and Doug Dracon, who were at NBIN. They had an off day at the NCHSAA 3A State Championships, but are certainly back on the right track and will look to beat rivals Marvin Ridge, who claimed the indoor team title. The two programs will match up next week at the Marvin Ridge Invitational, where we will have race video and photos!