3A Girls
Teams to Watch:
South Central is the defending champion and the clear preseason favorite in this classification. They have a trio of star athletes: Amber Clark (#1 LJ, #2 TJ), Danielle Butts (#1 HJ, #1 TJ) and Bryana Wyatt (#1 100, #1 200). The Falcons have had some of the best sprint relay teams in state history in the past few years, and those could be the ace in the hole to power South Central to another title.
After South Central, there are several teams fighting for the top spots and hoping to knock off the champs. Cardinal Gibbons will be in the hunt for a top-3 team finish as long as Sarah Rapp has anything to say about it. Fresh off her 3-win performance at the Winter Super Meet, she will look to duplicate the feat outdoors and is the fastest returner in all three. With Samiiah Wilson also on board in the distances, the Crusaders might be able to build a 4x800 that could give Rapp a chance at four wins.
Northern Guilford also has a strong team, with Erin McGuirk sitting at #2 in the preseason rankings for the 1600 and 3200. The Nighthawks also have the 2nd-ranked vaulter in the state in Elizabeth Ambler, as well as Anna Smith in the hurdles.
Long sprinter Tanazia Owens (2nd in the 500 this winter) might help Harding get into the mix for a top team finish, as well. The Rams also have Davonna Dula throwing the shot put (returning #2) and discus, as well as several good athletes in the field events and relays.
Other Athletes to Watch:
Ashleigh Culpepper (Franklin) leads all returners in the vault, and she broke the 11 foot barrier during the winter. Sage Proffitt (North Buncombe) is also contender in the vault, and her improvement this winter in the 300 and 500 might get her in the mix in the quarter. Zikeena Parker (Rocky Mount) will push Wyatt in the sprints. Naomi Alston (Douglas Byrd) leads all returners in the 400, and Stephanie Burris (Tuscola) has a great shot at a 400 title as well. Taryn Stern (Hickory Ridge) may have the best chance of anyone to beat Rapp in a race, as her specialty is the 800. Xaviera Bass (Nash Central) is the top returning athlete in the 100 hurdles, and Janita Leto (Concord) and Amber Holloway (West Rowan) will fight for titles in both hurdle races. Jessie Russell (East Henderson) is by far the best girl back in the shot put, and Kayla Padgett (West Brunswick) is the class of the discus field.
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(Based on returning performances from the Milesplit database)
3A Boys
Teams to Watch:
It appears that the boys’ team title will be more closely contested than the girls, at least on paper. Asheville is the defending champion, and they will look to run their streak to four straight championships (counting the winter seasons). Daisaun White will score big points in the long and triple, and the development of fellow jumper Jason Thompson helps, but Asheville lacks the distance power they had during last spring’s title run. Their title in the winter season suggests that the Cougars can make up for those lost points!
Crest is a slight favorite based on last year's times, powered by sprinter Kendall Kee (#1 100, #2 200). Kee put up a huge 60m time this winter, ranking him second in the nation! He has support from Demonte Wilson in the jumps and hurdles as well as fellow sprinter Harvey McSwain II, and the Chargers are well-known for their strong relays.
Douglas Byrd is also powered by a star sprinter, South Carolina signee Eric Winfrey (#1 200, #1 400). Will he attempt the sprint triple for more team points? The Eagles also sport Lorenzo Pooler in the long jump, and they look to repeat in the 4x400. Kee and Winfrey will wage a titanic battle on A&T’s blue track, and whoever comes out on top may also bring home a team championship for his school!
Nash Central has a legitimate shot as well, with Tevin Richardson leading the 800 list and Will Bass on top of the 1600 rankings as well as being a 3200 contender. Richardson may have to factor in more than just one event to keep his team in the hunt.
Other Athletes to Watch:
This classification is loaded with outstanding athletes! Ryan Minor of South Brunswick leads the preseason lists in both the shot put and discus. The distance races may be won by three different guys, with Graham Crawford (Walter Williams) the preseason favorite in the 3200 and Chris Colo (Marvin Ridge) a close second. Daishon Barger (West Rowan) leads all returners in the 110 hurdles. Tyler Samotis (East Henderson) and Dillon Arey (East Rowan) will duel for a title in the pole vault. Brandon Little (Weddington) gets overshadowed by the two big names in the sprints, but he could be a surprise contender with PR's that put him right in the mix. Xavier Jones has moved from Southern Guilford to Ragsdale, and he has experience beyond his two years of high school to help him move up in the 400. Jerrod Lipscomb (A. L. Brown) will try to upset Barger, and also to add a title in the 300. Vincent Merritt (Northern Vance) leads all returners in the long jump, and Marcus Leak (Parkwood) is the #1 returner in the high jump.
Subscribers: CLICK HERE for a virtual 3A Boys state meet!
(Based on returning performances from the Milesplit database)