NCHSAA Crowns 6 New Schools As Indoor Track & Field State Champions

Weddington Boys - 3A

Weddington were the favorites heading into the meet, but there were plenty of schools fighting hoping that the Warriors would make a mistake and leave the door open.  But Weddington was all around too strong as they swept the relays and won gold in the 300 with Emerson Douds running NC#10 All-Time 34.52.  

Weddington's relays each ran the fastest time of all NCHSAA schools at the state championships regardless of classification.  They became the first high school team to ever dip under 1:30 in the 4x200 at JDL running a US#10 1:29.46.  Of the top 10 Weddington is the only school to run on a flat track, which makes a significant difference in the event. Their 4x400 clocked a new NC#1, US#19 3:24.21 as their 4x800 ran a NC#12 All-Time Indoor mark of 7:59.48, good for NC#2 and US#13 this indoor season.  

Kyle Durham carried a load for the team anchoring the 4x800 to victory, taking 5th in the 1600 running a PR of 4:24, taking 2nd in the 1000 running 2:35.84 then running a monster 4x400m leg to put Douds in great position on the anchor.  Just behind Durham in the 1000 was Will Mazur taking 4th running 2:37.15.

Star sprinters Emerson Douds and Doug Dracon decided with their coaches to run the 55m instead of the 500m to conserve energy for their other events.  The decision ultimately was correct as they both ran a PR to advance to the finals and took 5th and 6th respectively running 6.57 and 6.58.   They were well rested for the 300, their strongest event this season as they took 1st and 4th overall.

The Warriors also got points from Stephen Larson in the 3200 who took 7th in 9:52 and Matthew Eberhard in the Pole Vault taking 8th in 13-0.  

Weddington ended the day with a strong 72 points.  Mount Tabor and Parkland's battle for 2nd came down to the 4x400 where Parkland took 2nd, but was DQed for an exchange zone violation.  It wouldn't of mattered though due to the Spartans taking 6th overall out of section 2 of 4.