Distance
The distance races in NCHSAA 4A are going to be legendary.
The boys and girls 1,000m field are chasing long-standing state records. The boy's record of 2:29.03, which has been standing since 2008, has been bested during the regular season by Chapel Hill's Dylan Look. Look's 2:28.14 is US No. 4 this season. The field is deep behind him as Mallo is doubling back from the 500m. Alongside them will be Zack Gilbertson (Pinecrest) and Caden Townshend (Weddington).
Gilbertson and Townshend are listed to race the 1,600m, so we'll see what the quick turnaround in the two events does to their legs and momentum. They will be facing off against junior Jacob Laney (Porter Ridge). Laney has been dominant this indoor season sitting NC No. 1 this season in the 1,600m and NC No. 2 this season and NC No. 2 all-time in the 3,200m. Also in the 1,600m field is the NC Indoor 3,200m record holder Ethan Snyder (Marvin Ridge). Snyder is no slouch in the shorter distance events, as he sits NC No. 3 in the event this season.
A lot of familiar faces headline the boys 3,200m, as Snyder, Laney, and Gilbertson all sit in the top five seeds. Joining them, with fresh legs, will be North Carolina Gatorade Cross Country "Player of the Year" Will Soule (Mount Tabor) and Lake Norman senior Griffin Horner.
The girls' races will not be overshadowed. The 1,000m state meet record of 2:53.81 will be hunted by this elite field headlined by Amelia Maughan (Chapel Hill). Maughan's best of 2:56.27 is NC T-No. 7 all-time. Behind the senior from Chapel Hill, the future stars of the state are eager to take her down. Sophomore teammates Charlotte Bell and Stella Kermes (Cuthbertson) have looked phenomenal all season, and have really improved their racing skills this indoor season. Freshman Hannah Rae Shaffer (Cardinal Gibbons) is making only her second appearance indoors this season, but is looking to make a big impact for her team. A few other names to watch for in the girls 1,000m are Madeline Stolberg (Lake Norman) and Gabi Lassiter (Cuthbertson).
The girls 1,600m is arguably more loaded, as they too will chase the state meet record. The state meet record, set in 2015, is 4:57.77. Top seed Mary Bonner Dalton (Myers Park) ran 4:55.31 for 1,600m (mile conversion) this season. Cuthbertson trio of Kermes, and Alyssa and Justine Preisano have a fighting chance of going 1-2-3 in the event.
Lilly Walters has been on fire as well this season, clocking 4:59.76. Shaeffer will also be in the 1,600m as will Maddie Huecker (Lake Norman) and Sarah Mitchell (Apex).
A lot of these girls are making the double or triple in the 3,200m. Shaffer, Dalton, and both Presiano sisters are racing fresher legs in Weddington teammates Emma Jones and Elizabeth Ritter