2010-2011 Winter/Indoor Track
Big Stories:
The one thing that stood out the most from this season was the loss of the UNC indoor track facility. Due to changes in their capacity brought on by storage of equipment from Kenan stadium construction, they could not host high school meets, including the state meet. For the first time in the history of indoor track in North Carolina, the "indoor" state championship was held outdoors. Legitimate state champions were indeed crowned at the Winter Super Meet at the Reid Ross facility in Fayetteville, but unfortunately the performances from the meet will always have an asterisk beside them. Let's hope that the temporary conditions that led to this situation will be remedied by next winter, and we can be back indoors for the state meet.
Whether it was because of the outdoor state meet, injuries, or simply a training decision, some well-known athletes did not compete at all during the winter (for example, Millbrook's Samantha George). A larger number of athletes chose to compete only in true indoor meets, avoiding "Polar Bear" meets and even skipping the state meet. Eventual 4A outdoor champions Gabrielle Gray (High Point Central) and Blake Williams (Northern Durham) are just two that fall into this category.
Best Moments:
Knightdale boys win first title, Wakefield girls dominate
Aaron Covington (Wakefield) is the surprise star of the Winter Super Meet
Sarah Rapp triples, brings home Cardinal Gibbons team title
Asheville boys earn third consecutive state title
Frazier, Graham, Morgan, Williams light up the Brooks PR meet
Wesley Frazier sets national sophomore class record in 5000 at NBIN
Keni Harrison wins a national title in the 60H at NBIN
Rankings (Including Polar Bears)
2011 Outdoor Track
Big Stories:
The weather played a huge part in the 2011 outdoor season, with significantly cooler temperatures than usual. As you would expect, that meant distance runners were putting up great times early. That trend continued to develop as North Carolina experienced a particularly strong year for girls distance, not only from the top performers but also in terms of depth. The top boys' distance runners compare favorably with last year's departed seniors, despite not having quite as much "star power" or name recognition, and the depth in boys distance running has steadily improved over the last several years as well.
In the meantime, sprinters/jumpers/throwers were having a hard time getting going in the cool temperatures of the early season. Through March and most of April, it looked like it was going to be a weak year in the sprints and hurdles, particularly. Luckily the competition heated up as we moved into May, and it turned out to be a strong season after all! NC athletes earned national titles and state records in the sprints and sprint relays, with particular strength at the top of the leader boards.
Best Moments:
Big distance times at Raleigh Relays, Vertklasse, Arcadia
Knightdale boys make it two, Wakefield girls officially a dynasty
Cary's girls take 4th consecutive 4x8 (indoor and outdoor),
set new NC #1 all-time mark
Berry Academy wins all 4 relays at 2A state meet
Blake Williams drops big mile times at Dream Mile, NBN
Josh McClam, Keni Harrison win national titles
Sean McLean captures two national titles
Wesley Frazier's mile win caps a tremendous 3 days at NBN
Rankings (Still being updated with summer performances)
| NCISAA 1A/2A State | NCISAA 3A State |
| NCHSAA 1A State | NCHSAA 2A State |
| NCHSAA 3A State | NCHSAA 4A State |
Overall Awards
(Covering both seasons)
Girls MVP: Wesley Frazier, Ravenscroft
Two national titles, two NC #2 all-time performances, two sophomore class national records.
Runner Up: Keni Harrison, Clayton
National titles indoor and outdoor in the high hurdles
Boys MVP: Knightdale Relays
Two national titles, one NC all-time record, four performances among the top 4 all-time in NC.
(Sorry to our poll voters, who chose Blake Williams, but it's hard to argue with that resume.)
Runner Up: Sean McLean
Two NBN titles, plus one more at US Junior Nationals.
Golden Tape Roll Award:
In honor of those athletes whose unfortunate injuries deprived them of the chance to demonstrate their true potential, and deprived us of the chance to watch them compete at a high level. Of course, I could not possibly name all the athletes who had significant inuries during the season. I think the absence of these two athletes had the greatest effect on the overall track and field scene here in North Carolina this year. There are undoubtedly other athletes who would merit consideration here, and my condolences go out to them, as well.
Kendall Kee, Crest
(missed most of the season including conference, regional, and state; returned for postseason)
Briana Haith, Granville Central
(missed conference, regional, state, and postseason)
What was YOUR best memory from winter and/or spring this year?
Disagree with award winners, or have suggestions for other awards?