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North Carolina Meet Calendar
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After the boys finished 13th and the girls scored just 2 points at last year's state meet, Pinecrest looks primed for a much stronger postseason run in 2026. With less than a month until the state meet, the Patriots have already posted 12 marks ranked inside the NC Top 20, coming from seven different athletes - a level of depth that wasn't there a year ago.
Their ranked marks are also spread across multiple event groups, giving them far more scoring opportunities. It's not just individual improvement - Pinecrest boasts a more complete, balanced roster that can compete across the board at this year's state meet, and if that momentum continues, they're in a much better position to make a serious jump in the team standings come May.
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The One-Woman Wrecking Crew
2026 Rankings: 3,200m - NC #4, US #38 | 1,600m - NC #8, US #28 | 800m - NC #11
Alessia Potts might be one of the most dangerous distance runners in 4A this season. Not only is she capable of going out and winning herself an individual title, which she proved this winter by winning 1,000m and 1,600m state titles, but she can also score double-digit points for her team in May.
After two early March races, the junior most recently competed at the Carolina Distance Carnival, setting a pair of personal bests in the 1,600m (4:48) and 3,200m (10:20). With so few races under her belt, it is safe to assume she is fresh and has her best races ahead of her, which would be a huge bonus for the team.
Well, Well, Wells
2026 Rankings: 200m - NC #5 | 100m - NC #6
While the girls should benefit from the presence of one of the state's best distance runners, the boys are led by one of the state's premier sprinters, Wendell Wells, who is ranked in the top 6 in both short-sprint events.
The junior most recently doubled at the Panther Invitational, where he won the 200m dash in 21.29 and finished 3rd in the 100m dash, running 10.68. His personal best time of 10.46 in the straight sprint came against a stacked final field at the Clash of the Carolinas, indicating that he is capable of bringing home big points for the Patriots at next month's championships.
Oh, And The XC State Champion
2026 Rankings: 3,200m - NC #6, US #43 | 1,600m - NC #19
Right alongside Potts is Madeline Dorsch. This cross country season, the sophomore was electric, winning an individual state title and qualifying for both Nike Cross Nationals and the Brooks XC Championships.
While she has been a step behind her teammate on the track this season, the two will undoubtedly both be in the thick of the championship hunt in the 1,600m and 3,200m. Given how well she handled the longer distances this fall, it would not come as a surprise if she manages to peak a little later in the spring - just in time for the biggest race of the year.
Triple Jump High?
2026 Rankings (1): Triple Jump - NC #7
2026 Rankings (2): Triple Jump - NC #9
One of the state's best duos in the jumps will be looking to combine for double-digit points at the state meet this year.
Tvyrian Praylo rolled into his senior campaign coming off a 10th-place finish at the state meet last year and finds himself ranked 7th in the state with over 3 weeks to go until the big day. Across two contests, he has won once and finished 2nd once, coming up just short to his teammate. His 46-7 came against a loaded field at the Clash of the Carolinas, which suggests the fourth-year veteran is capable of showing up when it matters most.
Zaiden Pratt has been a busy man this spring, already competing in the triple jump ten times. The junior has won six of those contests, including his last four. He most recently jumped 46-2, a personal best, en route to winning the Seahawk HS Invitational, outdueling his teammate in an epic battle. Time will tell if the number of times he has jumped this year will be an advantage for the upperclassman or not, but history tends to say experience pays off when it comes to reaching the state podium.
Trending In The Right Direction
2026 Rankings: 300m Hurdles - NC #19
Jude Schmitt has raced the 300m hurdles five times this season and has improved nearly every time out.
She kick-started the season with a 2nd place finish at the Clash of the Carolinas and has won three of her four races since, most recently setting a personal best time of 39.23 en route to a win at the Seahawk HS Invitational. The junior's consistency indicates she's knocking on the door of a breakout race and with just a few weeks until the biggest race of the season, it couldn't come at a better time.
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North Carolina Meet Calendar
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