Boys 55 Hurdles
Joshua Brockman (Ardrey Kell) was the #1 returner in the state coming into the season, and he has the #1 time in the state so far this season (7.43, US #4). He will be facing the NC #2 and #3 returners in Enoch Cheung (Raleigh Charter) and Jalen Houston (West Rowan), as well as current NC #3 D'Andre Hayes (Northwest Guilford). Those three are likely racing for second, though, because right now Brockman is on another level. Keep an eye on Terrance Pinnix (Cummings), who is bringing his 7.84 outdoor time inside to see if he can hand, and his school name suggests he probably can.
Girls 55 Hurdles
While Nicole Barnes can hang in the flat 55, she's even better over the hurdles. She has already clocked 8.18 this winter, putting her at US #2 and better than her best of 8.24 that made her the #3 returner in the state from last winter. Akira Rhodes (Mallard Creek) is the top returner in NC and 7th nationally, having clocked 7.96 en route to 60 Hurdles at nationals last winter. Those two are the class of the field, but there should be an interesting secondary battle between Corbin McLean (Platinum Sports), Randi Yeomans (West Carteret), and Taylor Robinson (Southern Durham).