Nov 29, 2011

NOTE: in the database and in the calendar, this is the 2012 Indoor Track season.

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2012 Indoor Season 4A Boys Preview

Distance

Although the returning times are not all that impressive, a lot of the athletes who figured prominently last winter have improved tremendously since then. For example, what seemed like a weaker-than-usual cross country season (in terms of individual strength) actually turned into a great fall, all thanks to the hard work put in by this year's top runners. Athletes to watch, in no particular order:

Craig Engels (Reagan):

State champ in the 1000, ran 4:27.58 for full mile in the postseason, has run 9:03 this fall.

Cole Rains (TC Roberson):

2nd in the state in the 1600, 3rd in the 3200

Bakri Abushouk (Cary):

2nd in the state in the 1000, ran 4:23.85 for full mile in the postseason

Jordan Marsh (Reagan):

State champ in the 3200

Sam Roberson (Broughton):

Did not run last winter, 15:14.9 and 9:24.7 this fall, headed to Nike Cross Nationals

Jacob Sears (Panther Creek):

Did not run last winter, 15:21 and 9:25 this fall, also 4:24 for 1600 in the spring

Mark Blackmon (West Charlotte):

Plays basketball, going to Foot Locker Nationals; PR's of 1:54, 4:21, 4:21

Sprints/Hurdles

Graduation hit the group of 4A sprinters hard, which means the door is wide open for someone to step into the spotlight. In particular, there are only a few returning 55 runners from last year's state meet, although the field is a bit stronger in the long sprints. Maybe one of the sprinters who had success during outdoor season will decide to carry that success into this winter. Athletes to watch, in no particular order:

Xavier Jones (Ragsdale):

Top returner in the 300 and 500, as well as the indoor 200 (US #16) and 400

Brian Davis (Fuquay-Varina):

#2 returner in the 500, ran 48.43 in the spring

Christopher Boyd (Ben L. Smith):

#2 returner in the 300, ran 21.64 in the spring

Da'Quan Smalls (Knightdale):

#3 returner in the 300, also a top 55 runner

Seyyan Moody (Scotland):

2nd in the 55 hurdles last year, 14.82 & 39.60 in the spring

Bryce Love (Wake Forest-Rolesville):

9th grader has PR's of 10.73, 21.81, 48.27 from summer track

Field Events

As with the girls, we normally expect the high jumpers and pole vaulters to be at their best indoors, and while North Carolina has some very good athletes in the vault, it seems the best high jumpers in the state are all playing basketball in the winter season. The shot put performances fall off quickly from the top few names, and the horizontal jumps (long and triple) do not show the kind of returning marks we've become accustomed to in this state. As with the sprints and hurdles, it appears there is a bit of a talent void waiting to be filled right now. Auditions start this week! Athletes to watch, in no particular order: