Distance
Jake Toomey (Weddington) is coming off a second place finish in cross country, but comes in as a favorite to win the 1600m and 1000m. Just two weeks ago Toomey took down the states best Milers at Mondo Elite clocking a state leading 4:15 converted 1600m. He's the only 3A boy under 4:20 this season. Dwayne Lillie (A.C. Reynolds) took 3rd in this event a year ago running 4:24, and he's matched that mark for the 1600m this season. Wesley Larson (Weddington) had a breakthrough in the event two weeks ago dropping an 8 second PR of 4:25 to win the open 1600m out of a slower section. Jack Dingman (Northern Guilford) and Jacob Gallant (Mt. Tabor) have run 4:24 and 4:26 respectively. Both are stronger 3200m runners, but are two that could take the pace out harder as I'd expect Toomey to race tactically being entered in four different events.
Toomey holds the top mark in the 1000m as well with a 2:33 indoor seasons best. He took 3rd a year ago at 2:36.78. Ethan Mathis (Chapel Hill) and Dwayne Lillie (A.C. Reynolds) pose as his biggest threats with seasons best of 2:36 and 2:38. Mathis took 5th out of the slower section a year ago while Lillie took 8th overall.
Avery Cannon (Watauga) comes in as the favorite in the 3200m after running 9:14 at Dash for Doobie in November before qualifying for Foot Locker Nationals a week later. He is only entered in the 3200m individually despite having qualifying marks in all the distance events. Jack Dingman (Northern Guilford) and Jacob Gallant (Mt. Tabor) are entered in the 1600m, but could scratch to challenge Cannon for the 3200m crown. Gallant was 2nd indoors and outdoors a year ago. Lillie is also entered in the 3200m with a season best of 9:30, but we'll see which events he decides to focus on tomorrow. Cannon was 11th a year ago in this event, but has certainly leveled up significantly over the last year.