US #10 returner Jon Beyle heads a strong class of throwers, which could be the event with the most talent in NC.
For the purposes of the rankings below, only marks recorded at indoor competitions in 2011-2012 were used. In the written previews, however, spring performances were also considered.
Girls' Indoor Preview
North Carolina usually has good jumpers and has been strong in the girls' pole vault for several years, but this is shaping up to be a strong year for the throws (both boys and girls). Hailey Cook (Hendersonville) and Breanna Warren (Western Guilford) both return to defend their indoor state titles, along with a solid supporting cast behind them. If Mookie Chavis (Bunn) is able to throw some during basketball season, that will only make things more interesting. North Carolina returns two 5' 6" high jumpers in Makayla Roten (West Wilkes) and Hannah Hensley (Pinecrest); Hensley's PR is actually 5' 8", but she has struggled with injuries her whole career. Another contender is Elizabeth Olesen (Hickory Ridge), who hit 5' 6" in the spring season. Kristen Lee (Wakefield) and Rayna Yvars (Green Hope) are the top returning vaulters, although Rachel Neagle (East Forsyth) and Brooke Shelton (Ledford) were closing the gap by the end of the spring season. Ro'Daijah Faucette (Cummings) leads the preseason list in the triple jump, with Cidni Ford (Wakefield) right behind her. Keep an eye out for Dejah Hayes (Western Guilford) in that event, as she jumped 38' 6.5" outdoors, and it would also be interesting if Chryssandra Tatum (Lejeune) got the chance to jump indoors this season after breaking 38' outdoors. Finally, Courtney Crawford (McMichael) is the top returning long jumper from both indoor and outdoor, although the state lacks a returning 19 footer. Sabrina Moore (North Mecklenburg) could be a budding star in this event, as she has the elite speed to put up big marks.
Top 10 Returning: High Jump
Top 10 Returning: Pole Vault
Top 10 Returning: Long Jump
| 1. | 18-1.25 | Courtney Crawford | NC McMichael, Dalton | 2014 | 02/11/2012 | 1A/2A/3A NCHSAA Indoor State Championship |
| 2. | 17-9 | Dejah Hayes | NC Western Guilford | 2013 | 01/20/2012 | Durham Striders Eastern HS Challenge |
| 3. | 17-8.5 | Hannah Hensley | NC Pinecrest | 2013 | 02/11/2012 | 4A NCHSAA Indoor State Championship |
| 4. | 17-6.25 | Cidni Ford | NC Wakefield | 2013 | 02/11/2012 | 4A NCHSAA Indoor State Championship |
| 5. | 17-5.75 | Lakanya Legette | NC Olympic | 2013 | 02/11/2012 | 4A NCHSAA Indoor State Championship |
| 6. | 17-3.75 | Felicia McCarthy | NC Butler | 2013 | 02/11/2012 | 4A NCHSAA Indoor State Championship |
| 7. | 16-11.5 | Hannah Dunston | NC Knightdale | 2015 | 01/20/2012 | Durham Striders Eastern HS Challenge |
| 8. | 16-9.5 | Lekesha Ejindu | NC Dudley | 2015 | 01/20/2012 | Durham Striders Eastern HS Challenge |
| 9. | 16-8.25 | Teshlyn Smith | NC South Granville | 2013 | 01/07/2012 | North Carolina HS Opener |
| 10. | 16-7.5 | Deaga Smith | NC West Charlotte | 2013 | 01/20/2012 | Durham Striders Eastern HS Challenge |
Top 10 Returning: Triple Jump
| 1. | 38-5.75 | RoDaijah Faucette | NC Cummings, Hugh M. | 2013 | 01/27/2012 | JDL Fast Track High School Invitational |
| 2. | 37-8 | Cidni Ford | NC Wakefield | 2013 | 01/27/2012 | Virginia Tech High School Invitational |
| 3. | 36-5.25 | Teshlyn Smith | NC South Granville | 2013 | 02/11/2012 | 1A/2A/3A NCHSAA Indoor State Championship |
| 4. | 36-4.5 | Tyra Lea | NC Wakefield | 2013 | 02/11/2012 | 4A NCHSAA Indoor State Championship |
| 5. | 36-3.5 | Liegha Yates | NC Clayton | 2013 | 01/07/2012 | North Carolina HS Opener |
| 6. | 36-3 | Dejah Hayes | NC Western Guilford | 2013 | 02/11/2012 | 4A NCHSAA Indoor State Championship |
| 7. | 36-0.5 | Kelsey Perry | NC Jordan | 2014 | 01/20/2012 | Durham Striders Eastern HS Challenge |
| 8. | 35-10.75 | Anassa Thompson | NC North Pitt | 2014 | 01/20/2012 | Durham Striders Eastern HS Challenge |
| 9. | 35-7 | Princess Stone | NC NC School of Science & Math | 2013 | 02/11/2012 | 1A/2A/3A NCHSAA Indoor State Championship |
| 10. | 34-8 | Ila Mumford | NC Parkland | 2015 | 02/11/2012 | 4A NCHSAA Indoor State Championship |
Top 10 Returning: Shot Put
| 1. | 40-0 | Hailey Cook | NC Hendersonville | 2013 | 02/11/2012 | 1A/2A/3A NCHSAA Indoor State Championship |
| 2. | 39-1 | Breanna Warren | NC Western Guilford | 2013 | 12/09/2011 | Liberty High School Christmas Invitational |
| 3. | 36-1.25 | Regene Watson | NC Southern Durham | 2013 | 01/07/2012 | North Carolina HS Opener |
| 4. | 35-5 | India Mcwhorter | NC Alexander Central | 2013 | 01/27/2012 | JDL Fast Track High School Invitational |
| 5. | 35-4 | Imani Abraham | NC Dudley | 2015 | 02/04/2012 | JDL Fast Track Last Chance HS Invitational |
| 6. | 35-0 | Brianna Heilsnis | NC Apex | 2013 | 02/11/2012 | 4A NCHSAA Indoor State Championship |
| 7. | 33-5 | Iesha Godette | NC Havelock | 2013 | 02/11/2012 | 1A/2A/3A NCHSAA Indoor State Championship |
| 8. | 33-4.75 | Sha'Lena Spikes | NC Cummings, Hugh M. | 2014 | 01/07/2012 | North Carolina HS Opener |
| 9. | 32-6.75 | Jamese Lewis | NC Reagan, Ronald W | 2013 | 02/11/2012 | 4A NCHSAA Indoor State Championship |
| 10. | 32-0 | Rayven Williams | NC Southeast Guilford | 2014 | 02/04/2012 | JDL Fast Track Last Chance HS Invitational |
Boys' Indoor Preview
Once again, a bevy of top throwers stand out from the lists below, making that the most impressive and stacked field event coming into the 2013 season. Jon Beyle (East Chapel Hill) dominated last winter, winning the 4A state title and becoming the only NC thrower to cross the 56' barrier indoors; that puts him 10th in the nation among returning throwers. Jalen Peterkin (Southern Durham) broke 55 in the summer, as did Myquon Stout (Carson), and if they pick up where they left off there will be serious competition for the top spot in the rankings. The other performance that really jumps out at you is Ethan Smith's 14' 9.25" vault (he went 15' 3" outdoors). Smith ranks 23rd in the country among returners from the 2012 indoor season, and the Cedar Ridge senior is back to defend his 1A/2A/3A state title. If anyone is going to challenge Ethan for top honors, it will probably be either Thor Smith (Northern Guilford) or Ian West (Fike), which means that the smaller schools have the upper hand in this event; the top returning 4A vaulter is Luke Ward (Mount Tabor, 13' 6" in the spring). Diondre Butler (Jack Britt) enters the season as the clear favorite in the long jump, and he added a 24-foot leap to his resume in summer competition. His chief competitor also comes from Fayetteville: Frank Quarles (Douglas Byrd) had a rough indoor season last year, but come on strong in the spring and remains a threat whenever he is healthy. Isaiah Moore (Cummings), the top hurdler in the state, showed his versatility by jumping over 23 feet in the spring, along with a 6' 6" high jump. That would make for an impressive triple win at the state meet if he can pull it off! The 2012 indoor season left us with a tangled mess in the high jump, with six jumpers tied at 6' 2". but the spring season provided some clarity: Grant Rivers (Hendersonville) made it over 6' 8" and Erving Johnson (Cummings) hit 6' 7". The complication in the high jump is that we never know which athletes will compete indoors, as so many of them also play basketball. Finally, North Carolina continues to experience a low period in the triple jump. No returning jumper made it past 44 feet last winter, and only 7 went farther than 45 in the spring season. Although he isn't technically a returning athletes, super freshman Marcus Krah (Hillside) has to be the favorite here, as he jumped 47' 2.5" over the summer (Krah is also a hurdler). Jordan Warren (Hickory Ridge) also made it to 47 feet last spring, putting him right in the mix.
Top 10 Returning: High Jump
| 1. | 6-2 | Kris Lordman | NC Asheville | 2013 | 01/07/2012 | North Carolina HS Opener |
| 1. | 6-2 | Jalen Ware | NC Apex | 2013 | 01/20/2012 | Durham Striders Eastern HS Challenge |
| 1. | 6-2 | Isaiah Moore | NC Cummings, Hugh M. | 2014 | 01/20/2012 | Durham Striders Eastern HS Challenge |
| 1. | 6-2 | Josh Edwards | NC Mount Tabor | 2013 | 01/27/2012 | JDL Fast Track High School Invitational |
| 1. | 6-2 | Jesse Freeman | NC Harnett Central | 2013 | 02/11/2012 | 4A NCHSAA Indoor State Championship |
| 1. | 6-2 | Michael Abram | NC Knightdale | 2013 | 02/11/2012 | 4A NCHSAA Indoor State Championship |
| 7. | 6-0 | Tray Miller | NC Western Guilford | 2013 | 12/17/2011 | Liberty Elite Invitational |
| 7. | 6-0 | Kyheem Elliott | NC Union Pines | 2014 | 01/07/2012 | North Carolina HS Opener |
| 7. | 6-0 | Khandler Kimber | NC North Rowan | 2014 | 01/20/2012 | Durham Striders Eastern HS Challenge |
| 7. | 6-0 | Nathan Tyson | NC Asheville | 2015 | 01/19/2012 | Asheville High Polar Bear |
| 7. | 6-0 | Sandy Chapman | NC Southeast Raleigh | 2013 | 02/11/2012 | 4A NCHSAA Indoor State Championship |
Top 10 Returning: Pole Vault
| 1. | 14-9.25 | Ethan Smith | NC Cedar Ridge | 2013 | 02/25/2012 | NCRunners Elite Last Chance |
| 2. | 13-6 | Matt Layne | NC West Wilkes | 2013 | 02/11/2012 | 1A/2A/3A NCHSAA Indoor State Championship |
| 3. | 13-2.75 | Jose San Miguel | NC Cardinal Gibbons | 2013 | 03/09/2012 | New Balance Indoor Nationals |
| 4. | 13-0 | Ian West | NC Fike | 2015 | 02/11/2012 | 1A/2A/3A NCHSAA Indoor State Championship |
| 5. | 13-0 | Luke Ward | NC Mount Tabor | 2014 | 02/11/2012 | 4A NCHSAA Indoor State Championship |
| 6. | 13-0 | Thomas Popek | NC Ragsdale | 2013 | 02/11/2012 | 4A NCHSAA Indoor State Championship |
| 7. | 13-0 | Tyler Chazotte | NC T.C. Roberson | 2013 | 02/11/2012 | 4A NCHSAA Indoor State Championship |
| 8. | 12-6 | Corey Ginley | NC East Henderson | 2014 | 01/27/2012 | JDL Fast Track High School Invitational |
| 9. | 12-6 | Drew Miller | NC East Rowan | 2013 | 02/11/2012 | 1A/2A/3A NCHSAA Indoor State Championship |
| 10. | 12-6 | Caleb Cranfield | NC West Rowan | 2014 | 02/11/2012 | 1A/2A/3A NCHSAA Indoor State Championship |
Top 10 Returning: Long Jump
| 1. | 23-2 | Diondre Butler | NC Britt, Jack | 2013 | 02/11/2012 | 4A NCHSAA Indoor State Championship |
| 2. | 22-5.25 | Isaiah Moore | NC Cummings, Hugh M. | 2014 | 02/04/2012 | JDL Fast Track Last Chance HS Invitational |
| 3. | 21-7.25 | Steven Kennedy | NC Pinecrest | 2013 | 01/07/2012 | North Carolina HS Opener |
| 4. | 21-7 | Sandy Chapman | NC Southeast Raleigh | 2013 | 02/11/2012 | 4A NCHSAA Indoor State Championship |
| 5. | 21-6.75 | Aaron Tindall | NC Olympic | 2013 | 01/27/2012 | KTC High School Indoor Classic |
| 6. | 21-4.5 | Michael Zimmerman | NC Berry Academy | 2013 | 02/11/2012 | 1A/2A/3A NCHSAA Indoor State Championship |
| 7. | 20-11.5 | Kimani Hoffman | NC Knightdale | 2014 | 02/11/2012 | 4A NCHSAA Indoor State Championship |
| 8. | 20-11.25 | Raykwon Torrence | NC East Rowan | 2014 | 02/11/2012 | 1A/2A/3A NCHSAA Indoor State Championship |
| 9. | 20-7 | Jamall Rooks | NC Western Guilford | 2013 | 02/11/2012 | 4A NCHSAA Indoor State Championship |
| 10. | 20-6 | Alex Turner | NC Lake Norman | 2013 | 02/04/2012 | JDL Fast Track Last Chance HS Invitational |
Top 10 Returning: Triple Jump
| 1. | 43-10.75 | Marthony Hobgood | NC West Charlotte | 2013 | 01/07/2012 | North Carolina HS Opener |
| 2. | 43-4.5 | Michael Zimmerman | NC Berry Academy | 2013 | 01/27/2012 | JDL Fast Track High School Invitational |
| 3. | 43-3.25 | Noah Tyson | NC Asheville | 2015 | 01/07/2012 | North Carolina HS Opener |
| 4. | 42-8 | Mario Thorpe | NC South Granville | 2013 | 12/17/2011 | Liberty Elite Invitational |
| 5. | 42-4.5 | Steven Kennedy | NC Pinecrest | 2013 | 01/07/2012 | North Carolina HS Opener |
| 6. | 41-8 | Jamall Rooks | NC Western Guilford | 2013 | 01/27/2012 | Virginia Tech High School Invitational |
| 7. | 40-7.5 | Malik Moseley | NC Southern Guilford | 2013 | 02/04/2012 | JDL Fast Track Last Chance HS Invitational |
| 8. | 40-5 | Alex Penner | NC Marvin Ridge | 2014 | 01/20/2012 | Durham Striders Eastern HS Challenge |
| 9. | 40-4.5 | Antonio Jones | NC Wakefield | 2013 | 01/07/2012 | North Carolina HS Opener |
| 10. | 39-9.5 | Raheem Royall | NC T.C. Roberson | 2013 | 01/20/2012 | Durham Striders Eastern HS Challenge |
Top 10 Returning: Shot Put
| 1. | 56-2.5 | Jon Beyle | NC East Chapel Hill | 2013 | 02/11/2012 | 4A NCHSAA Indoor State Championship |
| 2. | 53-5.25 | Jalen Peterkin | NC Southern Durham | 2013 | 02/11/2012 | 4A NCHSAA Indoor State Championship |
| 3. | 52-3.5 | James Rowland | NC Northside (2A) | 2013 | 02/11/2012 | 1A/2A/3A NCHSAA Indoor State Championship |
| 4. | 51-8.75 | Peter Kalambayi | NC Butler | 2013 | 01/20/2012 | Durham Striders Eastern HS Challenge |
| 5. | 50-10.5 | Colin Minor | NC South Brunswick | 2014 | 02/11/2012 | 1A/2A/3A NCHSAA Indoor State Championship |
| 6. | 49-6.25 | Winston Craig | NC Ragsdale | 2013 | 02/04/2012 | JDL Fast Track Last Chance HS Invitational |
| 7. | 49-5.75 | Myquon Stout | NC Carson, Jesse C | 2014 | 02/11/2012 | 1A/2A/3A NCHSAA Indoor State Championship |
| 8. | 47-6.5 | Travis Mcgriff | NC Reagan, Ronald W | 2013 | 02/11/2012 | 4A NCHSAA Indoor State Championship |
| 9. | 46-1.25 | Corey Wilson | NC North Buncombe | 2013 | 02/11/2012 | 1A/2A/3A NCHSAA Indoor State Championship |
| 10. | 45-10.5 | Demetrius West | NC Lakewood | 2013 | 02/11/2012 | 1A/2A/3A NCHSAA Indoor State Championship |