To say this story begins this season is an undersell. Flashback to 2019, before any of these athletes had dawned a high school jersey.
Cuthbertson was in a dog fight for the NCHSAA 3A team title with Weddington. As we approached the 4x200m, Cuthbertson needed some statement points to avoid Weddington running away with the title.
Cuthbertson, Parkland Magnet IB, and Weddington took to the line for the final heat of the shortest indoor relay. The Cavaliers got the baton to their anchor leg neck-and-neck with Parkland and Southern Lee, but it was the Cavaliers who pulled away for the win in 1:30.13.
Jump to 2020, Cuthbertson defends their 4x200m state title, almost unopposed, winning by nearly two seconds: 1:30.53.
2021 saw a hiatus in the indoor track and field world in North Carolina, but that just kept these rising stars hungry. Cuthbertson went on to win the outdoor 4x200m title in late June of 2021.
Now, here's where things get interesting.
Here steps in Parkland Magnet IB.
This quartet only features one senior in Justin Powell. Their sophomore duo of Kobe Mack and Micah Walker continue to impress. But the star of the show has been junior Antwan Hughes Jr.. Hughes Jr., the top seed in the 55m dash, is looking to capture his first state title.
Back in early December, these two programs met at the Liberty Flames High School Invitational, and they set the track on fire.
On that day, Cuthbertson barely edged out Parkland, and took the win 1:29.11 to 1:29.13. However, Parkland bounced back and in January on the same track, clocked a new NC No. 1 of 1:28.78. Both of their seasonal bests sit in the top 10 all-time in North Carolina, and are currently US No. 7 and 11.
| RANK | TIME | TEAM | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1:28.78 | ||
| 2 | 1:29.11 | ||
| 3 | 1:29.64 | ||
| 4 | 1:29.72 | Garner HS Meet1st F |
The Cavaliers are lead by 300m/500m standout Killian Fahy and 300m standout Reece Morgan. Fahy is the defending outdoor 400m state champion, and is the common anchor for his squad.
Cuthbertson is looking to defend not only their team title, but their long running 4x200m success as well. Parkland is as hungry as they come, and with points coming in all facets for both sides. The 4x200m (and eventual 4x400m) may set the tone for who is standing alone as the state champion.