NCRunners Elite Invitational Recap

In 2013, NCRunners had to place the Elite Invitationals on hiatus for a number of reasons, but the plan was always to bring them back for 2014.  That plan is right on track after yesterday's small but successful NCRunner Elite Track & Field Invitational.  As always, it was the younger athletes in the spotlight as part of the Frosh/Soph Invitational, which creates a "meet within a meet" feel and allows future stars to begin drawing attention for their talent.  Due to the smaller size of this meet, the normally-separate divisions (Frosh/Soph, Junior/Senior, and Elite) were merged to create more competitive races, although only the Frosh/Soph athletes could score points toward the team title.

The highlight of the day was the Girls 800, where Elite regular Eliza Dekker (Durham Academy) took on Frosh/Soph entrant Anna Passanante (Chapel Hill).  Dekker took the race out quickly, then Passannante challenged on the second lap, eventually moving into the lead on the home stretch.  The Chapel Hill sophomore crossed the line in 2:15.96 NC #1, showing that she will be a force to reckoned with over the next two years.  Dekker, who had already dueled with Ryen Frazier (Ravenscroft) in the 1600 earlier in the day, clocked 2:17.22, putting her ahead of pace compared to last year, when she ended up running under 2:13.  Frazier, meanwhile, posted a 4:55 in the warm temperatures, with Arden Vessie (Corinth Holders) sneaking into second by breaking 5:10 for the first time.

 

The sprints were also blessed with a combination of Elite and Frosh/Soph talent, leading to some excellent races.  Jasmine Quinn (Fort Dorchester SC) won four golds in a dominating overall performance, but she was pushed by Apex's Sydnei Murphy in the 100 and 200.  Quinn dipped under 12 and paired that with a 24.23, whereas Murphy clocked 12.07 and 24.70.  Lauren White, competing unattached, was the top Frosh/Soph competitor in both races, with times of 12.23 and 25.31.  Quinn also took the long jump with a mark of 18' 3.75", defeating White's 17' 7.5" jump.

 

The boys' 1600 did not produce a sub-4:20 time, as was hoped, but it did produce the most exciting finish of the day.  Chris O'Brien (Raleigh Charter) led essentially wire-to-wire, pushing the pace through the middle laps, but he was tracked down by Peter Hetzel (Grace Academy) as they entered the final straightaway.  They battled to the line, while Collin Vilen (Chapel Hill) charged hard from third, and the three crossed the line only 0.25 seconds apart.  O'Brien held onto the win, with Vilen stealing second in the last 15 meters, and all three running 4:26.  Bryan Whyms (Northside Christian) was only a few steps behind at 4:28, making four seniors at the top of the results.  After a small gap, it was Alex Nadaud (Cape Fear Academy) that come in first among the Frosh/Soph competitors, running 4:39.74 - the #3 time among North Carolina freshmen.  These excellent distance performances were followed up by a 1:56.72 by Brad Pehr (Green Hope) in the 800; Christian Pigues (Trinity Academy) was the top underclass finisher in 2:04.44.

 

Two Elite vaulters dueled during the early portion of the meet, providing excellent viewing for the younger athletes competing in that event.  Ian West (Fike) cleared 15' 1" to take the win, but the competition seemed to inspire Marshall Shank (East Rowan) the most - though he finished second, he cleared an all-time best of 14' 6".  Lee Sharum (East Rowan) took the Frosh/Soph win, holding off Marco Renzo (Fike), who has only been jumping for a few weeks.  In the horizontal jumps, Otumos Payemanu (Athens Drive) battled twice with Noah Lambert (Carrboro), with each getting one overall win.  Payemanu took the triple jump with his 40' 1.5", while Lambert leapt 20' 2.25" to claim gold in the long jump (although Payemanu was the top Frosh/Soph competitor there).  Each of the sprint races went to a different winner, with sophomores Cordell France (Mount Airy) and Caleb DeRoche (New Bern) taking the 100 and 200, respectively.  Senior Quincy Rasin (New Bern) won the 400, while Harrison Young (Chapel Hill) was the fastest Frosh/Soph runner.

 

NCRunners Elite Track & Field Invitational