Girls 100m Hurdles
The first of the premier races saw junior Selena Carlyle (Clayton) match-up once again with senior Alexa Nestor (Green Level). In their only head-to-head matchup leading up to the event, Nestor got the best of Carlyle. However, that was indoors in the 55mH. Over 100m, Carlyle showed she has just as much power. Carlyle's winning time (14.46) is just off her personal best. Carlyle is pulling double duty in the premier 100mH and 100m dash.
Boys 110m Hurdles
This was a battle of some of the state's elite. Timothy Richardson, fresh off his commitment to Mount Olive, was ready to roll. It was no easy task as Desmond Smith and defending NCISAA 4A runner-up Jackie Saye. Richardson and Smith were battling over the final few hurdles, but Smith could not reel in Richardson, who got the win 14.81 to 14.82.
Girls 1,600m
Olivia Bufalini (Laney) dipped under 5:00.00 for the first time this season in a victory at the Apex Lions' Relays. She has picked up seven wins in her last seven races. The University of Pittsburg commit is the defending NCHSAA 4A East Regional 1,600m champion. Three superstar underclasswomen finished 2-3-4. Annie Miller (Metrolina) clocked 5:00.36 to just finish ahead of Kasey Dingman (Lake Norman), who finished in 5:00.97. Rounding out the top four was Elizabeth Healy (Riverside) in 5:04.44.
The Roy Cooper Boys 1,600m
This was the definition of a battle! Marco Evans (Cary), Ian Rouse (Jordan), and Zack Gilbertson (Pinecrest) took the pace out early, with Evans up front. The top three separated themselves from Will Venable (Broughton) and Logan Dingman (Lake Norman). That was until the bell lap, however. With 300m to go Dingman and Venable starting charging and caught the lead group with 200m to go. Gilbertson went wide around Evans and pushed into the lead. Venable continued to charge and was neck-and-neck with Gilbertson with 50m to go. Both competitors refused to give up any ground and they crossed the line almost simultaneously. It was Venable taking the win over Gilbertson, with both times coming in at 4:15.36. It had to go to the thousandth of a second to break the difference.
Girls 100m Dash
As advertised, Union Pines' Briana St. Louis was ready for the challenge. She was lining up next to some well known in-state talent, such as Londyn Atkinson and Carlyle. St. Louis shot out of the blocks and charged down the straightaway, clocking 11.92. She was the only athlete under 12.00. Her time is NC No. 3 on the season and No. 1 in the NCHSAA 3A Classification.
Boys 100m Dash
Dazmin James (Clayton) clocked 11.59 to get the win over Nakhi Benjamin (Wakefield), Tanner Leach (Corinth Holders), and Jordan Polk (Jordan).
