Wakefield's Tiana Patillo is the undisputed top sprint star in the state, as the nation's best returning 500 runner.

Girls Sprints & Hurdles Preview

After three years of great performances, Wakefield still has a few top-flight long sprinters that haven't graduated: Tiana Patillo, who is the top returning 500 runner in the nation (also US #18 in the 300), and Tyra Lea, North Carolina's best returning 300 runner and US #6 in that event.  Dejah Jones is no slouch, either, having broken 1:18 for the 500 last year, putting her at US #18 returning; that's three legs on the way to rebuilding the Wolverines' vaunted 4x400.  At some point in the next two years, though, it is possible that Parkland could assume the mantle of top girls' sprint squad; with Erin Morrison, Ebony Williams, and Myshale Spigner they have a tremendous core of young talent.  It is also possible that the best female short sprinter in the state won't compete during the winter; at least, West Craven's Nyshedra Brown has never run during indoor season before.  Here's hoping that we get to see her first 55 dash this winter!  Of course, that title of "best" is far from decided, as Sabrina Moore (North Mecklenburg, US #13 returning in the 55 dash) and Paisley Simmons (TW Andrews) could both claim it this year.  Behind those two, there are a passel of young talents that will be fighting to have their breakout races on the JDL's quick Mondo surface.  Also, keep an eye on Jocelyn Culbreath (Reagan), who changed up her fall routine this year and could take a step forward.  Turning our attention to the hurdles, it is clear that North Carolina still has great talent despite wave after wave of graduated stars over the past several years.  Mollie Williams (Clayton) is the top returner, and she really came on strong at the end of the spring season; that could be a sign of a big winter, or it could mean we will have to wait until warm weather to see her best again this year.  Rodaijah Faucette will try to continue the long-time Cummings trend of top hurdlers and top triple jumpers, while she also asserts her status as the nation's #18 returning 300 runner..  Other top NC hurdlers include Hunter Roberts and Kayla Williams (Southwest Guilford), Aliyah Riley (High Point Central), Ariel Davis (Northern Guilford), and Nora McKiver (TW Andrews). 

Top 10 Returning 55 Dash Runners

Top 10 Returning 300 Dash Runners

Top 10 Returning 500 Dash Runners

Top 10 Returning 55 Hurdles Runners

Boys Sprints & Hurdles Preview

Here's a shocking statement: Cummings has a few good hurdlers.  In fact, the 2A school has the two best returning hurdlers in the state in Isaiah Moore and Thomas Jones II.  Moore is the third-fastest returning 55 hurdler in the country, although it should be noted that some states run the 60 hurdles instead.  The only two other hurdlers who ran under 8 seconds last winter are Sandy Chapman (Southeast Raleigh) and Malik Diggs (Scotland).  Keep an eye on Erin Jenkins (Vance), better known for the long hurdles races, though he did drop to 14.30 in the 110's last spring.  The state lacks a dominant male short sprinter right now, although there are a few candidates that could stake their claim with a great winter season, starting with AaronTindall (Olympic).  Jordan Brown (Davidson Day) only ran a few races last winter, but made a strong impression in that small sample size.  Jakara King-Penn (Reagan) has the fastest 100 dash time of all the runners who competed last winter, and he still has three years to develop.  James Drummond (Lexington) is back after losing much of last year to injuries, but he has a ton of potential if he can stay healthy.  If T.J. Logan (Northern Guilford) competes this winter, he will immediately become a state-championship contender in the 1A/2A/3A classification; the same goes for Jahmaal Daniel (Terry Sanford) in 4A.  In contrast to the muddied waters of the short sprints, the state is loaded with strong long sprinters.  Barry Harris (Southeast Guilford) is US #3 among returning 500 runners, while Xavier Jones (Ragsdale) is on top of the NC 300 list and ranks 6th in the country coming into the season.  Kwame Donyinah (Myers Park)broke 48 for the 400 this past spring, and that makes him a contender in either long sprint.  The talent doesn't stop there, either, as Josiah Elliott (Parkland), Jamaree Murray (Southeast Raleigh), Patrick White (Wakefield), and Kris Lordman (Asheville) all rank in the top 25 in the country for returning 500 runners.  We would all like to see what Bryce Love (Wake Forest Rolesville) could do during the indoor season; he showed only flashes of his enormous potential last spring, but has numbers like 10.69 and 21.81 in his past.  Here's a sleeper for you: Trentavis Friday (Cherryville) dropped a low-48 time out of nowhere to win the 1A state championship in the spring, and that sign of his future potential could bring him out for both seasons this year.

Top 10 Returning 55 Dash Runners

Top 10 Returning 300 Dash Runners

Top 10 Returning 500 Dash Runners

Top 10 Returning 55 Hurdles Runners