Photos from Jeff Sides and Doug Hague
Results
North Carolina Rankings
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The Mondo Elite Invitational at JDL Fast Track built up to 5 invitational track races closing out a solid two days of competition to close out the regular season.
Freshman Shawnti Jackson kicked off the elite sections with a new US#5 in the 60m Dash also good for the second fastest time in the 60m Dash in North Carolina history. She ran 7.51 at the VA Showcase two weeks before and the freshman made yet another big jump. She'll challenge Gabby Mayo's 7.31 state record set in 2007 at nationals later this season. Her mark was also good for a new Mondo Elite meet record.
Jonah Ross (Garner) would run a US#12 mark for 2nd in 7.55 with Zariyah Black a US#26 at 7.59 in 3rd.
The boys race was loaded with last years indoor 55m state champs Jaylen Wright and Michael Gupton squaring off for the first time this season along with Cameron Rose who has established himself as the country's top 200m/300m runner early. As expected, the three were tight through the line as Wright would edge Gupton and Rose just narrowly.
Wright clocked a US#2 and NC#5 All-Time for the win in 6.72 with Gupton and Rose running 6.75 and 6.76 respectively for US#4 and US#5.
Zariyah Black (Eastern Guilford) doubled back from the 60m Dash Finals to take a big win in the 60m Hurdles clocking 8.49 good for a new US#5 and NC#6 All-Time mark. The junior is having a major breakout season in the sprints and hurdles.
The boys hurdle field held the top three hurdlers in the US this season in Alexander Nunley, Tyler Graves (SC), and Leonard Mustari (FL) who ran a US#2 in the 55m Hurdles edging Nunley earlier in the day. After losing to Nunley a few weeks ago, Graves would come out on top edging Nunley with a new US#1 7.77. Nunley would take 2nd in 7.89 just ahead of Mustari and Jerry Philippe (FL).
Kayla Davis would then kick off the first half of what would be an impressive 400m/200m double in a short time span. Davis would run 55.74 to win the 400m followed by a 24.16 200m holding off Jonah Ross with only two Mile heats in between.
Jenoah McKiver battled with Danny Renard in the boys 400m. Mckiver got to the break first as Renard tried to set himself up for a move on the final stretch. Mckiver would narrowly hold him off through the line in 49.22 to 49.32. Sophomores Trevin Moyer and Jarrell Guy would also break 50 seconds in the fast section taking 3rd and 4th respectively.
Jenna Hutchins (TN) would throw down an impressive 4:49.78 Mile dominating the field. She took it out hard clocking 2:23 through the opening half mile good for a US#3 performance and a new indoor seasons best. Carmen Alder would take 2nd in 4:59.54 and Sophie Spada 3rd in 5:01.67. Freshman Vanessa Alder would run a big PR down to 5:04.93. Carmen Alder and Spada's times convert to 4:56.59 and 4:59.92 for 1600m.
We saw 4 North Carolina boys under 4:20 in the boys invitational mile. They went through 2:10 for the first half mile with Ian Harrison leading the charge. With 400m to go Jake Toomey made his move passing Harrison with Jack Rooney and Jason Thomson right there as well. Rooney closed the gap on Toomey, but Toomey would not be denied down the final straight away to run a 4:17.12 for a new state lead and 4:15.63 1600m PR. Rooney, Thomson, Harrison and Tim Haughton would also run sub 4:20 converted 1600m.
After taking 2nd in the 60m Dash, Michael Gupton would run a strong 200m taking the win over Jaylen Wright in 21.98. Gupton's time is good for a new US#10 this season and NC#10 All-Time. The only mark in the top 10 from a 200m flat track.
