Early invitationals in the Charlotte, Greensboro, and Raleigh areas (at Ravenscroft, above) highlight the first beek weekend of the outdoor season.
The first really big Saturday of the outdoor season has arrived, with multiple invitationals providing the opportunity for many of the best programs around the state to show their early-season strength. The weather should be conducive to good performances, although occasional thunderstorms may be a problem. All in all, we should have a much clearer picture of who has what by the time tomorrow rolls around. Here is a look at the major meets going on today:
Marvin Ridge Invitational
(On-Site Coverage)
Athletes to Watch
Although Granville Central stars Briana Haith and Tevin Hester are not entered, there will still be plenty of star power on display in Union County today. Crest's Demonte Wilson (hurdles) and Harvey McSwain II (100, 200) headline their events, while the distance races will host many familiar names: Wyatt Maxey (Providence), Jonathan Bivens (Weddington), Eli Clevenger (North Buncombe), Drew Buckley (Marvin Ridge), CJ Buck (JM Robinson). If you like field events, check out the boys' shot put, where 50-footers Colby Miller (Mount Pleasant) and Logan Pressley (North Buncombe) will square off. Derrick Streater (Sun Valley) will try to join the conversation about the best high jumpers in the state, while Austin Vegas (East Forsyth) is the state's best vaulter. On the girls' side, Tori Elliot (Cox Mill) and Sabrina Moore (North Mecklenburg) will battle strong fields in the girls' sprints. Erica Amatori (Green Hope) leads a strong group of distance runners that includes Katarina Ruehl (North Buncombe), Mallary Price (Weddington), Allie Castro (North Lincoln). Everyone should go watch Sage Proffitt (North Buncombe) and Rayna Yvars (Green Hope), two of the state's best vaulters, as well as thrower Breana Warren (Western Guilford), especially in the discus.
Teams to Watch
First of all, don't be surprised if the host school performs well (assuming they don't have their athletes committed to helping run the meet), as Marvin Ridge always has depth and usually has some ability across all the events. Green Hope, while not loading up all their distance strength in this meet, still has scoring power on the girls' side. Western Guilford brings a lot of strength in the girls' field events, while Parkland brings a young and talented girls team to the meet. Butler's boys have strength in the field events and hurdles, while Crest's two stars can score a ton of points by themselves. Weddington has solid distance runners, but hasn't stacked them up as much as they could. To be honest, this early in the season this meet is a toss-up, and could be won by a team scoring in the 50's.
Meet Page
Girls Virtual Meet
(Using performances from 2011 in the MileSplit database)
Boys Virtual Meet
(Using performances from 2011 in the MileSplit database)
Ravenscroft Early-Bird Invitational
(On-Site Coverage)
Athletes to Watch
Alexis Murphy (Apex) is one of the top sprinters in the state and had a very strong winter, although Santese Pryor (Jordan) won both the 100 and 200 at this meet last year. Wesley Frazier and sister Ryen (Ravenscroft) are both very talented distance runners, and this will be the first meet for New Hanover's Shelby Howell. In girls' field events, Alexis Perry (Jordan) should rule the long jump and high jump, while Audrey Diener (Apex) is one of the top vaulters in the state. Cary's sprint duo of Darrell Sheppard and James House could shine here if they are fit,. The boys' distance races could be very fun to watch, with Bakri Abushouk (Cary), Sam Miner (East Chapel Hill), Chris Reeder (Chapel Hill), Mitch McLeod (Chapel Hill), and Paul Lilley (Rocky Mount) all in the stadium. Spectators should make it a point to see the throws, where Jon Beyle (East Chapel Hill) is explosive and fun to watch (plus, young Elijah Mallory of North Raleigh Christian is a future star). Finally, if you get a chance to watch Khortne Whitted (Riverside) soar in the long jump, you won't regret it.
Teams to Watch
Cary's boys have strength across a wide range of events, while Rocky Mount's ability in the jumps and the long hurdles race hit the target well here. On the girls' side, 4A powers Jordan and Apex will most likely slug it out for the team title (Apex's depth in the distances might give them the edge), while host Ravenscroft also has the ability to score well.
Meet Page
Girls Virtual Meet
(Using performances from 2011 in the MileSplit database)
Boys Virtual Meet
(Using performances from 2011 in the MileSplit database)
Southeast Guilford Falcon Invitational
Athletes to Watch
Teammates Paisley Simmons and Nora McKiver (T.W. Andrews) are among the best in the state in the sprints and hurdles, respectively. Dudley's girls have their own super duo in Tyler Brockington and Achsah Brice, who is also a top triple-jumper. Greensboro-area distance runners Austin Vass (Page), Maggie Harahan (Page), and Alyssa Torres (Northwest Guilford) are familiar foes. Dudley's Imani Abraham is a strong thrower, while Shemiah Brooks (Southwest Guilford) could dominate in the long and triple. On the boys' side, Chris Boyd (Ben L Smith) is a versatile and talented sprinter, while Carl Walton, Jr (Northwest Guilford) has solid range as a distance runner. Hezekiah Ward (Southeast Guilford) can light it up in both hurdles races. The boys' discus throw is looking like a very competitive event that could be filled with lead changes and therefore be very fun to watch. Trey Jones (Southeast Guilford) and Matt Colvin (Southern Guilford) are both strong jumpers.
Teams to Watch
Boys indoor 4A co-champions Southeast Guilford should be the favorite to win their own invitational, although Southern Guilford also has a strong team. Likewise in the girls' scoring, where Southeast Guilford's depth provides them with more scoring chances, even though Dudley's top 3 girls are among the best anywhere.
Meet Page
Girls Virtual Meet
(Using performances from 2011 in the MileSplit database)
Boys Virtual Meet
(Using performances from 2011 in the MileSplit database)
Phoenix High School Classic
Meet Page
South Brunswick Invitational
Meet Page