(Posted Dec. 23, 2014)
Former Crest HS sprinter Manteo Mitchell was dropped by his sponsor in 2014 but now has new sponsorship heading into 2015.
New sponsor gives Manteo Mitchell peace of mind - Citizen-Times.com

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Methodist hires Pine Forest cross country coach Brunecz - FayObserver.com

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Swain coach co-authors 1st book - Citizen-Times

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Catching up on Commitments - Citizen-Times

(Posted Dec. 19, 2014)
Strength Clinic Scheduled For Wake Forest University January 17th - NCHSAA.org

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Chatting With the NCAA Champion Colorado Buffaloes - RunnersWorld.com
(including Eastern Alamance High's and Colorado's Jake Hurysz).

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Track and Field Technology Is Rapidly Advancing - SportTechie.com

(Posted Dec. 17, 2014)
Big Eight 3-A Honors Announced - ChapelHillNews.com

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An article on former Calvary Baptist sprinter (now at Wingate) Andrew Fuquay:
Lewisville native starting to make his mark as a sprinter - JournalNow.com

(Posted Dec. 16, 2014)
Mitchell HS senior Zach Boone recently signed to run for Mississippi.
Mitchell's Boone signs - Citizen-Times.com

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Weather Decision Technologies Is New NFHS Corporate Sponsor - NCHSAA.org

(Posted Dec. 15, 2014)
Former NC high school runner, Ryan Hill (Hickory HS/NC State) won the USATF National Club Cross Country Championships Saturday in Bethlehem, PA. Hill won by two seconds, running 29:07 over the 10K course.

Former Pinecrest HS/University of Colorado) runner Andy Wacker was 32nd (30:14). Thomas Graham (Cary Academy/Stanford) was 39th (30:21). The Zap Fitness team from Blowing Rock, NC won the Men's Team Title. (More)

In the Women's Race Addie Bracy (Northwest Guilford HS/UNC) was 18th (20:17) over the 6K course.

Ryan Hill, Laura Thweatt Claim Wins - RunnersWorld.com
USATF Club Cross Country Champs held on a chilly and blustery day - RunBlogRun.com
Largest Field Ever for Club Cross Country Championships - RunnersWorld
Results: Men | Women - USATF.org
Meet Website

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Wacker recently placed 2nd at the Rock 'n Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon (11/17) with a time of 63:49.

Bracy ran a Marathon PR of 2:35:57 in placing 7th at the Cal International Marathon in Sacramento (12/7). The course was a downhill course with a drop of 105m (over 300 feet) in elevation.

(Posted Nov. 17, 2014)
The Ole Miss Men's Cross Country team qualified for the NCAA Championships for the first time in history last Friday at the South Regional Championship in Tallahassee, FL. The Rebels are coached by Ryan Vanhoy, who formerly ran for Asheboro HS.

Ole Miss Runs Away with Regional - OleMissSports.com
South Regional Men's Results - Seminoles.com
NCAA Regionals Results - RunnersWorld.com
Unexpected Teams Advance to NCAA Championships - RunnersWorld.com
College Cross Country: Issues and Answers - DailyRelay.com

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NC State Women Earn At-Large Berth for NCAA Championship - GoPack.com
UNC Men, Women Earn At-Large Bids - GoHeels.com
Rapp and Kvartunas earn bids to Nationals - HokieSports.com

(Posted Nov. 6, 2014)
In the latest women's NCAA Division I Cross Country Poll released Tuesday by the USTFCCCA, UNC moved up 4 spots to #11 -- the Tar Heels' highest ranking since 2004. N.C. State is ranked 18th.

In the men's poll, N.C. State is 18th and UNC 22nd. Furman is 16th.

Men's National Poll | Women's National Poll - USTFCCCA.org

News: Men's Poll | News: Women's Poll

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Shannon Rowbury, Morgan Uceny, Will Leer to compete in Winston-Salem (11/3) - News-Record.com

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Record Setting Performance Earns Hadley Athlete of the Week - USATF.org

(Posted Nov. 5, 2014)
Drill Routine with high school marathoner Alana Hadley - MileSplit.com

(Posted Nov. 2, 2014)
Charlotte teen wins Indianapolis marathon - CharlotteObserver.com

(Posted Nov. 1, 2014)
UNC has recruited another top national runner -- Lucy Biles -- a 9-time state champion from Utah.

Story/Photo: Tar Heels Strike Again with Another Commit - Lucy Biles to UNC! - MileSplit

Meanwhile Friday the UNC Women captured their first ACC XC title since 2003, beating second place Florida State by 42 points.

Story/Photo - GoHeels.com

UNC's men's team finished third. They were led by Ryan Walling (Cary Green Hope HS), who ran a PR (8K) of 23:32.7 to place 10th. Stephen Mulherin (NC School of Science and Mathematics) was UNC's 4th runner across the line.   More on Walling.

In the Women's race Sarah Rapp (Raleigh Cardinal Gibbons/Virginia Tech) placed 6th.   Story - Hokiesports.com

For NC State, Graham Crawford (Burlington Williams HS) placed 5th earning All-ACC honors for the 3rd year. Freshman Bakri Abushouk (Cary HS) ran #5 for NCSU placing 30th. Sophomore Sam Roberson (Raleigh Broughton HS) was #6, placing 31st. In the Women's race Samantha George (Raleigh Millbrook HS) was State's #3 in 26th, Freshman Mary Grace Doggett (Raleigh Cardinal Gibbons) was #4 (27th), and Freshman Bianca Bishop (Charlotte Providence HS) was #5 (33rd).

Men Finish Second, Women Fourth at ACC Championships - GoPack.com

Complete Results: ACC Championships - GoHeels.com
ACC XC Championships website

(Posted Oct. 30, 2014)
Recent Cherryville HS grad Trentavis Friday has been named Track & Field News' 2014 High School Boys Athlete of the Year. (Story).  Friday is NC's first winner of the national honor since J-Mee Samuels of Mount Tabor in 2005. Gabby Mayo of Southeast Raleigh won the Girls award in 2006. Friday appears on the cover of the December 2014 issue of T&FN. He blazed a 10.00 at the USATF Juniors to knock .01 second of the National High School Record in the 100-meters. Friday later ran a wind-aided 20.03 200-meters -- fastest ever under any conditions by a high school athlete. Friday is currently a Freshman at Florida State.

Six North Carolina athletes made T&FN High School All-American -- Three boys and three girls. Besides Friday, the other two NC boys making T&FN High School All-American are: Isaiah Moore (Burlington Cummings) in the 110m-Hurdles, and Colin Minor (S. Brunswick) in the Hammer Throw. NC girls earning All-American honors are Anna Cockrell (Charlotte Providence Day) in the 100-meter Hurdles, Sydnei Murphy (Apex) in the Triple Jump, and Bryanna Hames (Charlotte Myers Park) in the Discus.

The Track & Field News National HS Athlete of the Year award began in 1977 with the Girls award that year going to Julie Shea (Raleigh Cardinal Gibbons). Greg Yeldell (North Rowan) won the Boys award in 1998.

Past Winners: T&FN Boys/Girls AOY

2014 T&FN High School Boys Athlete Of The Year: Trentavis Friday

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Seeking info on paying for college? Check this out - NationalScholastic.org

(Posted Oct. 28, 2014)
Crazy Running will be hosting an Indoor Track and Field Clinic for ages 5 - 14 (kids will be grouped by age for various activities) Sunday - December 7, 2014 at the JDL Fast Track facility in Winston-Salem.
Details.

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Former Forsyth Country Day/UNC star Blake Russell has a new entry on her blog on her preparation and readiness for Sunday's New York City Marathon.

The calm before the storm - BlakeRussellRuns.com

(Posted Oct. 27, 2014)
Former Concord HS star Laffette Jordan was inducted Thursday into the Cabarrus County Sports Hall of Fame. Jordan, a 1976 graduate won the Long Jump (22-8.25) at the 1975 WNCHSAA Championships. He held Concord High records for the 440 dash, long jump and triple jump. Later, Jordan became the first Appalachian State track athlete to become an NCAA All-American. He still holds ASU's School Record in the 400m - 46.00 in 1979.

Jordan joins Kannapolis A.L. Brown's Melissa Morrison and Haskel Stanback (led off winning 4x100 team at 1968 WNCHSAA Championships) in the Cabarrus Sports HOF.

Cabarrus Sports Hall adds members - IndependentTribune.com

(Posted Oct. 23, 2014)
Fans of college cross country will enjoy this:

NCAA XC Championships History, Visualized - DailyRelay.com

(Posted Oct. 22, 2014)
Here's a link to a new interview with former Raleigh Broughton HS athlete Jesse Williams (4-A High Jump Champ as Soph/Jr/Sr; 7-3 in HS; 2011 World Champion):

Flying High With Jesse Williams - PortlandTrack.com

(Posted Oct. 21, 2014)
Four former North Carolina high school stars helped NC State's women climb 11 positions to #18 in the latest national poll with their performances last weekend at the Indiana State Pre-National Invitational in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Freshman Mary Grace Doggett (Raleigh Cardinal Gibbons HS) was the 3rd Wolfpack runner across the line, Kenyetta Iyevbele (Charlotte Olympic HS) was their 5th, Samantha George (Raleigh Millbrook HS #6, and freshman Bianca Bishop (Charlotte Providence HS #7. NC State's women placed 5th among 43 teams. Both the women's and men's teams will compete next Friday, October 31st at the ACC Championships in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Women's Cross Country Climbs National Polls to 18th - GoPack.com
Women Place Fifth at Pre-National Invitational - GoPack.com
Complete Results: Women | Men.
Cross Country Primed for Pre-National Invitational - GoPack.com
USTFCCCA NCAA Division I Cross Country National Coaches' Poll: Women | Men - USTFCCCA.org
NC State Roster

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Also at the Pre-National Invitation in Terre Haute, Colorado's Jake Hurysz (Eastern Alamance HS) was 9th (24:23.8). Colorado put four in the top 9, and won the team title with 35 points to 91 for 2nd-place Oregon. Colorado's men are ranked #1 in the NCAA Division I.

In the Women's 6K race Lipscomb's Madelin Talbert (South Mecklenburg HS) was 33rd in 21:21.0. Freshman Kayla Montgomery (Winston-Salem Mount Tabor HS) was Lipscomb's #7 runner, finishing 242nd in 23:10.4. Lipscomb was 12th out of 43 teams.

Talbert lands third-straight Atlantic Sun Women's Runner of the Week - LipscombSports.com

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UNC's Men placed 18th Friday at the Wisconsin Adidas Invitational in Madison, Wisconsin. Ryan Walling (Cary Green Hope HS) led the Tar Heels in 33rd (24:11). Stephen Mulherin (NC School of Science & Mathematics) ran a PR 24:25 as UNC's #2 runner.   Scott Morgan (Calvary Baptist Day School) ran 176th (25:11) as UNC's 5th man, and Mitch Mcleod (Chapel Hill HS) was #7 with a 26:01.

Women 11th, Men 18th at Wisconsin Adidas Invitational - GoHeels.com
UNC Cross Country Teams Ranked in Latest USTFCCCA Poll - GoHeels.com
College Cross Country Recap - dailyrelay.com

(Posted Oct. 17, 2014)
Could your team use a $1,000 stipend for new equipment, travel expenses, etc.?

Commissioner's Cup Award To Be Offered By NCHSAA For Community Service (10/17) - NCHSAA.org

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Fans of the Javelin Throw may enjoy this story by Steve Underwood:

2014-15 Project Javelin: Reuniting with Coach Gorski in PA (10/16) - NationalScholastic.org

(Posted Oct. 16, 2014)
Laura Stanley, a 2002 graduate of Carolina Day School in Asheville was inducted into the Carolina Day School Athletic Hall of Fame last weekend.

Stanley placed 5th at the 2001 Foot Locker National Championships to become a 1st-Team All-American. She had earlier won the Foot Locker South Regional at Charlotte's McAlpine course in 17:34.68. Stanley was 11th her Junior year at the 2000 Foot Locker Nationals.

Stanley also won three NCISAA State Cross Country titles, two 1600 titles (5:08.31 Rec 2001, 5:14.80 2002), two 3200 titles (11:07.01 Rec 2001, 11:22.62 2002, plus one 800 (2:28.10 2002). She later ran for Duke University where she was Cross Country MVP as a Sophomore and All-ACC in Cross Country in 2005. Stanley was ACC Indoor Champion in the 5000 in 2006.

CDS inducts 3 into hall of fame - Citizen-Times.com
2014 Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees - CarolinaDay.org

(Posted Oct. 13, 2014)
The Indoor/Outdoor Track Scheduling Meeting for Charlotte-Area coaches will be Tuesday 10/28/2014 at Providence HS, Room 215. Time: 6:30 pm.

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Turmoil as Univ. of Tennessee Cuts Women Athletes (10/11) - KnoxNews.com

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Track & Field News' High School All-Americans (1974-2013) has been updated to include the boys Long Jump, Triple Jump, Pole Vault, Shot Put, Discus, Hammer, and Javelin.

The NCHSAA added the Triple Jump as an official event in 1973, and North Carolina has gained a reputation for producing outstanding talent in this event. Eleven NC athletes have made All-American in the TJ fourteen times, with only California and Texas having more. Three from North Rowan HS have earned the honor. Besides North Rowan, Wilson Fike, Broughton, Parkwood, Mt. Airy, Tuscola, Farmville Central, Fuquay-Varina, and Salisbury have had All-Americans in the Triple Jump.

In the Long Jump, nine NC athletes have made All-American. Only Texas, California, and Arizona have produced more.

No North Carolina boy has ever been named All-American in the Pole Vault, Shot Put, Discus, Hammer, or Javelin (at least by Track & Field News ...going back to 1974).

One of the state's Triple Jump Greats.   Another.

(Posted Oct. 10, 2014)
One of Swain County High School's best-ever track stars was inducted last night into the the Swain County Athletic Hall of Fame. Joule Breedlove was NCHSAA 1A State Triple Jump Champion in 2007, setting a 1A State Meet Record of 38-1.25 (nwi). She also won the Most Valuable Participant award at the 2007 meet, leading her Bryson City school to a 3rd-place finish. Breedlove was 2nd in the 100m Hurdles, 5th in the 300m Hurdles, and anchored the 5th-place 4x400.

Story - Citizen-Times.com   Video
2014 HOF Inductee - Joule Breedlove Lowman - MaroonDevils.com

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NCHSAA realignment plan could put Cumberland County schools in three classes - FayObserver.com

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Track & Field and Cross-Country Bulletin for Oct 09, 2014 - NationalScholastic.org

(Posted Oct. 7, 2014)
Former West Stokes runner Erica Boles was named the Catawba College Female Athlete of the Week. She was 5th at the Hagan Stone Classic last weekend. (Story)  Boles a Junior at Catawba, was 21st in the 2010 NCHSAA State 2A XC Meet.

News Item/Photo - goCatawbaIndians.com

(Posted Oct. 6, 2014)
Former Northwest Guilford HS/UNC runner Addie Bracy was 3rd in the San Jose Half Marathon, in a time of 1:14:44.

Former Pinecrest HS/University of Colorado) runner Andy Wacker finished 4th (1:04:41) in the Men's Division.

The two were among seven who qualified for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials.

Aaron Braun (62:56) And Kellyn Johnson (72:30) Win Rock 'n' Roll San Jose Half Marathon - LetsRun.com
Story/Photos - competitor.com   Results - RunnerSpace.com

(Posted Oct. 4, 2014)
Alumni News:

Appalachian's Tristin Van Ord Wins, App Women 3rd - GoBlueRidge.net

NC State women 2nd, men 8th at Notre Dame Invitational - GoPack.com

(Posted Oct. 3, 2014)
Some athletes face higher risk for eating disorder symptoms (10/3) - DailyTarHeel.com

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Former North Carolina high school runners Andy Wacker (Pinecrest HS/University of Colorado) and Addie Bracy (Northwest Guilford HS/UNC) are entered in Sunday's 9th Annual Rock 'n' Roll San Jose Half Marathon in San Jose, California.

Wacker is listed as the 7th-fastest entrant in the Men's Division and Bracy as #7 in the Women's Division.

Preview - RunBlogRun.com   Race Website

(Posted Oct. 2, 2014)
Olympic medalist Manteo Mitchell visits North Buncombe Middle (10/1) - Citizen-Times.com

Mitchell was 4th in the 400 (49.76) as a junior in the 2004 NCHSAA 3-A Outdoor. Crest's 4x100 won (42.42) in 2004 and the 4x400 was DQ'ed. Mitchell was 5th in the 200 (22.50 -0.5, 22.49 -1.0 prelim) in the 2005 NCHSAA 3-A Outdoor. He also ran on Crest's 4x200 (1st-place, 1:27.72) and 4x100 (2nd-place, 42.77). Mitchell had high school bests of 21.4 (hand) and 49.54.

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Video: Interview with U. of Oregon coach Robert Johnson - GoDucks.com

(Click on "Coach Interviews" ... "Cross Country Media Day..."   "09/30/2014")

Johnson was 2nd in the 1991 NCHSAA 4-A Triple Jump, and later competed and coached at Appalachian State University.

(Posted Oct. 1, 2014)
LetsRun.com has a story on the NCAA Division I Top-Rated University of Colorado men's cross country team, which includes redshirt senior Jake Hurysz -- who ran at Eastern Alamance HS.

Hurysz was 2009 NCHSAA 3-A Cross Country Champion and was 6th in the Foot Locker Nationals. His high school bests were 1:52.6, 4:04.75, and 8:49.76. He also anchored Eastern Alamance's 7:43.89 4x800.

The Gunslingers of Boulder - LetsRun.com

(Posted Sept. 30, 2014)
Three former North Carolina High School runners had noteworthy road race performances recently.

At the Philadelphia Half-Marathon 9/21 Andy Wacker (Pinecrest HS/University of Colorado) ran 1:04:18 and placed 15th. Andie Cozzarelli (Apex HS/NCSU) finished 15th in the women's division with a PR 1:16.33.

At the USATF 20K Championship 9/1 in New Haven, Connecticut Blake Russell (Forsyth Country Day/UNC) was 3rd in 1:10:38. Russell wrote about the race on her blog www.blakerussellruns.com.

(Posted Sept. 29, 2014)
Track & Field News' High School All-Americans (1974-2013) has been updated to include the boys 4x400, 4x800, SMR, DMR, and the High Jump.

North Carolina has had two teams make All-American in the 4x400 and none in the 4x800. In the Sprint Medley, seven NC teams have earned the honor (Mt Tabor '02, Mt Tabor '03, New Bern '06, '07, '08, '09, and Marvin Ridge '09.). NC has never had a school make All-American in the Distance Medley.

Two high jumpers from NC have been High School All-Americans.

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In North Carolina a Friday-Night high school football game can be delayed due to fire ants. (True!..Actually happened last Friday). In Alaska, high school cross country runners face a different hazard. A girls race at a Regional Meet in Ketchikan was stopped after two miles when a black bear appeared on the course. The race was restarted and run again since it was a qualifier for the Alaska State Meet October 4th.

Story - SeattleTimes.com     Black bear interrupts Southeast cross country race - KRBD.org

(Posted Sept. 26, 2014)
Mike Miragliuolo, cross country and baseball coach at Green Hope HS in Cary, has been awarded the NCHSAA's Charlie Adams Distinguished Service Award for Region 3. The award is named for a former NCHSAA executive director.

NCHSAA Presents Awards At Regional Meetings - NCHSAA.org

NCHSAA leader plans to look through windshield, not rearview mirror - N&O

(Posted Sept. 25, 2014)
Appalachian State University cross country runners Michael Ellis (Winston-Salem Mount Tabor HS) and Tristin Van Ord were named Sun Belt Conference Male and Female Runners of the Week by the league on Wednesday.

Michael Ellis Tabbed Sun Belt Runner of the Week - AppStateSports.com
Tristin Van Ord Named Sun Belt Runner of the Week - AppStateSports.com
Story - GoBlueRidge.net

(Posted Sept. 24, 2014)
Realignment to be discussed at NCHSAA meeting - NewsObserver.com

The next alignment will begin in 2017, but the process will begin next year. It takes about a year to put the schools into conferences and complete the appeals process.

Related story - FayObserver.com

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Track & Field and Cross-Country Bulletin for Sep 24, 2014 - NationalScholastic.org

(Posted Sept. 23, 2014)
Former Chapel Hill HS runner Sarah Jane Kerwin placed 7th in the Gil Dodds Invitational in Illinois Saturday, helping her teammates to a dramatic tie-breaker (45-45) over Washington (MO). Kerwin was the 3rd runner across the line for #6 ranked (NCAA Division III) Oberlin College, running the 6K course in 22:25. The meet, hosted by Wheaton College (IL), is named for former track and cross country coach at Wheaton, Gil Dodds.

Upperclassmen Lead Oberlin at the 2014 Gil Dodds Invite - goyeo.com
Results - TFRRS.org
Story - USTFCCCA.org

(Posted Sept. 22, 2014)
Former Pinecrest HS/University of Colorado runner Andy Wacker competed in Sunday's Philadelphia Half Marathon, running 1:04.18 and placing 15th.

Story 1 | Story 2 - Philly.com
Partial Results - Runnerspace.com

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Former Winston-Salem Mount Tabor runner Michael Ellis, now at Appalachian State, won Saturday's 28th Annual Winthrop Invitational. His 25:36.49 led the Mountaineers to the team title.

ASU's women also won and were led by former Chapel Hill HS runner Tristin Van Ord who placed second overall with a personal-best time of 17:41.14.

Several other former North Carolina high school athletes also ran in the meet.

Results NCrunners
ASU Men Win Winthrop Invite   ASU Women Pick Up Winthrop Title - GoASU.com
Apps Sweep Winthrop Invite - GoBlueRidge.net
Winthrop men 3rd, Women 5th - WinthropEagles.com

(Posted Sept. 18, 2014)
Raleigh's Word of God Christian Academy is no longer a member of the NCISAA (North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association).

In a letter dated Sept. 10, the NCISAA informed administrators at its member schools that allegations of athletic recruitment by Word of God had been confirmed by an internal investigation. Word of God has been a powerhouse in prep basketball, with numerous ACC and other college basketball stars having played there.

One noteworthy track and field star from Word of God was sprinter Sean McLean (10.30w +2.2, 20.64 +0.5 in 2011) who also ran at Southeast Raleigh HS, and later at Methodist University.

Source - FayObserver.com

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Track & Field News' compilation of High School All-Americans (1974-2013) continues to expand with the boys 4x100 and 4x200 now included.

One North Carolina school has had an All-American 4x100 team, and four have earned the honor in the the 4x200. Texas, Florida, and Louisiana are the only states that have had more All-American teams in the 4x200.

Many states do not contest the 4x200 as a standard event. The 4x200 (or its predecessor, the 4x220-yard Relay) has been a regular NCHSAA State Championship event since 1963. Actually, the NCHSAC began running the 4x220 in 1960 ...with Durham Hillside winning the first title.

(Posted Sept. 17, 2014)
Coach Reese (of East Chapel Hill High School) is hosting open work-outs for area throwers (shot-put, discus and javelin). These informal sessions will be on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month (except over holidays, weather permitting) beginning September 28th at Southern Alamance High School.

Times will be 3-5pm. Sessions are open to athletes of all ages and skill levels. Sessions will include some drills and one-on-one instruction, along with plenty of supervised throwing time.

Athletes should bring their own implements, a towel, and water. Cost is $20 per athlete per session. Please contact Coach Reese for additional information (email: jreese@aicpa.org or call/text 919.357.6649).

(Posted Sept. 16, 2014)
JDL Fast Track will be hosting two track and field clinics on the first Sunday in December. Andy Fryman, a former NCAA Division I coach will be conducting a throws clinic that will focus on both the shot and weight throw. Also, Crazy Running will be hosting a youth clinic that day, as well.

Details/Registration Info - JDLFastTrack.com   |   JDL Fast Track 2014-2015 Schedule

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Former Knightdale HS hurdler Ronnie Ash was 2nd in the 110 Hurdles at last weekend's IAAF Continental Cup in Morocco. His time of 13.25 +0.1 was .02 slower than the winner, Sergey Shubenkov of Russia.

Ash has the 3rd fastest time in the world for 2014 -- 12.99 +1.2 at the USATF Nationals 6/29. The only faster hurdlers this year are Jamaica's Hansle Parchment (12.94) and France's Pascal Martinot-Lagarde (12.95).

A total of three former NC high school stars are currently in the world's top 25 in this event.   Wayne Davis II (Southeast Raleigh HS/Texas A&M) is 12th (13.20).  Spencer Adams (Matthews Butler HS/Clemson/Nike) is 23rd (13.33).

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Two North Carolina track clubs are among the 13 clubs named recipients of the National Scholastic Athletics Foundation's 2014 Cedric Walker Development Grants. They are the Gastonia Jaguars Track Club of Gastonia, and the Revelation Peak Performance Track Club of Winterville.

Story - NationalScholastic.org  |   More on the NSAF's various grant programs

(Posted Sept. 15, 2014)
Former NC high school runner, Ryan Hill (Hickory HS/NC State) finished 5th Saturday in the Fifth Avenue Mile Saturday in New York City. Hill's time was 3:52.3, edging Matthew Centrowitz by 1/10 second, and 1.3 behind the winning time.

Results | Video | Recap - LetsRun.com
More on the Fifth Avenue Mile

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Track & Field News' High School All-Americans (1974-2013) has been updated to include the 110m Hurdles and the 300/400m Hurdles.

Six North Carolina boys have made All-American in the 110 Hurdles (all since 2001) and two in the 300/400 Hurdles.

(Posted Sept. 11, 2014)
The Flat Rock Middle School boys cross country team won first place at the Western Carolina University meet last week, and on hand to congratulate them was 2012 U.S. Olympic silver medalist Manteo Mitchell. Mitchell is a former Western Carolina standout who is now also a coach for the Catamounts.

Photo - BlueRidgeNow.com   Middle School Boys 3K Results - NCrunners

(Posted Sept. 9, 2014)
Column: The NCHSAA wheelchair athlete controversy (9/8) - JournalNow.com

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Track & Field News' High School All-Americans (1974-2013) has been updated to now include the 2-Mile.

One NC male athlete appears on the 2-Mile list.

(Posted Sept. 8, 2014)
Former Chapel Hill HS/University of Wisconsin star Jack Bolas won Sunday's 8th Annual Grandma's Minnesota Mile in downtown Duluth. His time for the one-mile street race was 4:02.3.

Bolas also claimed the top spot in the inaugural Bring Back the Mile Grand Prix Tour 2014 standings and an additional $2,000, giving him a Tour prize money total of $7800. The Minnesota Mile was the last of six stops on the Tour circuit.

Bolas, Kampf Win Claim Titles at Minnesota Mile - RunnersWeb.com
Grandma's Minnesota Mile
Bolas, Kampf win inaugural Bring Back the Mile Grand Prix Tour titles

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Another former NC prep star, Ryan Hill (Hickory HS/NC State) will be competing in the Fifth Avenue Mile Saturday (9/13) in New York City. Hill placed 15th in the 5000 (13:27.58) August 28th at the Weltklasse Meet in Zurich, Switzerland.

Jenny Simpson, Mary Cain, Matthew Centrowitz lead Fifth Ave. Mile Field - NYRR.org

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Bishop McGuinness Coach put on administrative leave (9/6) - News-Record.com

(Posted Sept. 5, 2014)
Former Raleigh Ravenscroft School runner Wesley Frazier was named the first ACC Cross Country Performer of the Week. The honor was announced Tuesday by the ACC conference office. The Duke sophomore opened her 2014 season by winning the Virginia Duals, covering the 4-kilometer course at Panorama Farms in Charlottesville, VA in a time of 14:01.

Duke freshman Callie Wynn (West Davidson HS) placed 16th, and sophomore Gina Daniel (Charlotte Providence HS) was 42nd.

Frazier named ACC Performer of the Week - GoDuke.com
Duke Women Victorious at Virginia Duals - GoDuke.com
Coach Engel Previews 2014 Season - GoDuke.com

(Posted Sept. 2, 2014)
Hillside's Desmond Jackson golden in England (9/1) - HeraldSun.com

(Jackson won the Adaptive Long Jump and 55-Meter Dash at last February's NCHSAA 4-A Indoor Championships.

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Scholar-Athlete Essay Contest Details Announced (9/2) - NCHSAA.org

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Follow-up stories to the August 21 post below on Blake Russell:

Huddle, Mecheso Race to USA 20 km Championship Titles - USATF.org
Molly Huddle, Girma Mecheso Win 2014 USA 20k Titles - LetsRun.com
Results - jbsports.com

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Track & Field News' High School All-Americans (1974-2013) has been updated to now include the 400, 800 and Mile.

Three NC male athletes have made All-American in the 800, two in the Mile, and one in the 400.

(Posted August 28, 2014)
The 2014 Western Carolina University Speed Clinic will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2014. Registration will begin at Camp Lab Gym from 8:15am- 9:00am. Speed development for athletes of all sports and skill sets will be covered along with a coach's education session covering all event areas.

Info/Registration Form   Schedule   WCU Info

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Track & Field News' High School All-Americans (1974-2013) has been updated to now include the 200. Four North Carolina sprinters appear on this list:

T&FN High School All-America Teams: Boys 200 Meters - TrackAndFieldNews.com
All-Time NC High School List: 200 - NCPrepTrack

(Posted August 27, 2014)
In the Boys 100-meter dash, North Carolina has had athletes to be chosen as Track & Field News' High School All-Americans nine times since 1974. The only states with more are Florida, Texas, and California.

Check the following page for some great high school sprinters:
T&FN High School All-America Teams: Boys 100 Meters - TrackAndFieldNews.com
All-Time NC High School List: 100 - NCPrepTrack

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A follow-up story to the August 22 story below:

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is changing a policy that kept some students from playing sports who couldn't afford a $100 participation fee.

CMS adjusts $100 participation policy (8/26) - CharlotteObserver.com

(Posted August 26, 2014)
Several former North Carolina high school runners will be running on some strong ACC Cross Country teams this fall.

Looking at the four ACC schools in this state, NC State's highly rated men's and women's teams include:

Redshirt junior Graham Crawford (Burlington Williams HS) and Bobby Mintz (Cary Christian) may be in the Wolfpack's top 5.

Kaitlyn Kramer (Charlotte Ardrey Kell HS) and Halsey Merritt (Raleigh Cardinal Gibbons) should be among State's fastest women.

Complete NCSU Cross Country Roster (including name of high school).
Wolfpack Cross Country Unveils 2014 Schedule - GoPack.com
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Among the new faces on UNC's cross country team are: Mihret Coulter (Apex HS), Emma Astrike-Davis (Cary HS), Blake Dodge (West Carteret), and Lauren Moody (Asheville TC Roberson).   Complete Roster: 2014 UNC XC.

Preview: UNC Cross Country - GoHeels.com
UNC Cross Country Announces 2014 Schedule - GoHeels.com
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Appearing on Wake Forest's 2014 roster are: soph Chandler Borton (Winston-Salem Reynolds), junior Ashley Brubaker (Winston-Salem Reagan), soph Gabrielle Merritt (Greensboro Day School), freshman Andrew Fea (North Lincoln), and junior James McAlister (homeschooled).

2014 Wake Forest Cross Country Rosters: Men, Women.
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Former NC high school runners on Duke University's Cross Country Roster are: soph Gina Daniel (Charlotte Providence), soph Wesley Frazier (Raleigh Ravenscroft), and freshman Callie Wynn (West Davidson). (No NC boys.)

2014 Duke Cross Country Roster - goDuke.com
Duke Women #5 in Regional Poll   Duke Men #8 in Regional Poll
2014 Women's Schedule   2014 Men's Schedule
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NCAA Division I XC Rankings Central - USTFCCCA.org

Regional NCAA Division I Preseason Rankings (8/25) - USTFCCCA.org
August 25 USTFCCCA Regional Rankings (Top 15)
Southeast Rankings:
Men: NCSU #1, UNC #4, Duke #8, Wake Forest #12. High Point, ASU ranked.
Women: NCSU #3, Duke #5, UNC #6, Elon #9, WFU #10.

Colorado #1 in Preseason Men's Poll (8/26) - USTFCCA.org
NC State is #15. Colorado has redshirt senior Jake Hurysz (Eastern Alamance) returning.
Preseason Women's Poll (8/26) - USTFCCA.org

Colorado Men's XC Is USTFCCCA Preseason Favorite   Colorado looks to compete for more championships

This story is not related to NC in any way ... but is an excellent story about 2 former Colorado runners.

(Posted August 22, 2014)
A new policy is keeping some of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools' student-athletes who can't afford a $100 participation fee off the field.

CMS policy change causing confusion about eligibility, coaches say - CharlotteObserver.com

(Posted August 21, 2014)
Former Pinecrest HS/University of Colorado runner Andy Wacker ran well in the Pikes Peak Ascent of the 11th Annual WMRA World Long Distance Challenge in Manitou Springs, Colorado. He was the #2 runner on the winning USA team.

Wacker had high school bests of 4:14.7 (1600) 14:59.41 (5000) and ran on Pinecrest's 7:45.51 4x800 in '06. He was the NCHSAA Indoor 4A 3200 champion in '07 with a 9:38.44.

Story - USATF.org   Results - PPRRun.org   Pikes Peak   Pikes Peak Ascent race
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Former Forsyth Country Day runner Blake Russell is preparing at age 39 for the USA 20 Km Championships September 1st in New Haven, Conneticut.

While at FCD Russell won 11 of a possible 12 NCISAA state titles in the 800, 1600, and 3200. And she also won two NCISAA cross country titles.

Update on Russell: "Take that Father Time!" - BlakeRussellRuns.com
20K Race website

(Posted August 20, 2014)
Meredith College names Track & Field eighth varsity sport.

Competition is set to begin spring 2016.   Interested student-athletes should complete the track and field recruiting questionnaire at www.goavengingangels.com/information/recruits/crosscountry_trackfield.

They also can email: Coach Amy Olsen at olsenamy@meredith.edu or Coach Bill Koester at koesterb@meredith.edu.

Meredith College
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Fans and enthusiasts of high school track & field and/or cross country may want to participate in the Charlotte Observer's poll on high school sports coverage.

Among the questions asked... is to put a check beside "which sports do you care about?"  Participants in the survey may also express comments.

Survey on high school sports coverage - CharlotteObserver.com

(Posted August 19, 2014)
Former West Forsyth HS athlete Eugene Galloway ('03) has been named as the new assistant coach of the Roanoke College Track & Field and Cross Country program.

Galloway Triple Jumped 44-5.75 in his Regional Meet and placed 7th in the 2003 NCHSAA State 4-A Meet (44-2.75) prior to competing for High Point University. He has also coached at R.J. Reynolds HS and Bishop McGuinness in the Winston-Salem area. Roanoke College is located in Salem, Virginia.

Announcement/Galloway Story - Roanoke.edu
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Best Track and Field Video of the month ... from last week's European Championships in Zurich. (Wait until the begining ad has completed.)

(Posted August 15, 2014)
NCHSAA Hall of Famer Reflects On High School Athletic History - NCHSAA.org

(Posted August 12, 2014)
Former Chapel Hill HS/University of Wisconsin star Jack Bolas ran his fastest-ever Mile (3:57.39) Sunday with a 5th-place finish in the Ron Warhust Mile at the Michigan Track Classic. His previous best was 3:57.49 in 2013. Bolas currently ranks 2nd in the 1600 on NC's All-Time High School List (4:04.38).

Story/Results - mlive.com   MichiganTrackClassic.com
Fans, athletes applaud Michigan Track Classic - DailyTribune.com
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Did you know that comedian and actor Robin Williams, who died Monday at 63, ran a 1:58.8 800 (1:59.4y) in high school in 1969?
Photo/story - NBCsports.com
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Interview with St. Augustine University track and field coach George Williams. - WUNC.org
News Item/Photo - SaintAugFalcons.com

(Posted August 7, 2014)
Christine Engel has been named Duke's head women's cross country coach and assistant track & field coach. For the past six years, Engel held the position of head men's and women's cross country coach and assistant women's track & field coach at Elon University. During her tenure at Elon, Engel coached four Southern Conference individual champions and two NCAA East Preliminary Round qualifiers. Engel also helped guide 24 different student-athletes to 75 All-Southern Conference honors.

Most recently, Engel guided the Elon women's cross country team to a second-place finish at the 2013 Southern Conference Championships with five runners earning all-conference honors at the competition.

Duke Announces Hiring of Christine Engel - GoDuke.com
Elon cross country coach Christine Engel resigns to take job at Duke - ElonPendulum.com
Elon coach runs to Duke job - theTimesNews.com

(Posted August 6, 2014)
Indoor Track enthusiasts may be interested in the opening of a new $93 million state-of-the-art indoor facility on the east coast. In addition to The Armory, New York City will now have two quality indoor tracks with the addition of this Staten Island facility.

Staten Island's New $93M Indoor Track Center - dnainfo.com
Ocean Breeze Park Track & Field Athletic Complex - NYCgovParks.org

(Posted July 30, 2014)
Grimsley's Blair Ramsey returns to mentor children's fitness program

(Posted July 29, 2014)
Coach and administrator Ralph Holloway has been selected for induction into the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame.

Holloway led Burlington Cummings' girls track and field teams to two state 3-A titles (1987 and 1988). Holloway also worked at Kinston, West Carteret, and East Carteret High Schools.

Seven Named To Join NCHSAA Hall of Fame - NCHSAA.org
2008 story/photo on Holloway - News-Times
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Elon's track facility receives upgrades - theTimesNews.com
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Elon adds volunteer coach for cross country - Times-News

(Posted July 24, 2014)
Subtle Strategies in the Vertical Jumps (e.g., passing at a height) - RunBlogRun.com
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The NCHSAA is considering changes to its team scoring in the state track championships. Mount Tabor nipped Apex for the boys' 4A title in the spring 63-57, helped by eight points earned by two wheelchair athletes. The two wheelchair athletes competed in four races unopposed or against each other.

More on this story - News & Observer (scroll down)
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Asheville running goes boom: 2 new stores in 2 months - Citizen-Times.com

(Posted July 23, 2014)
Erwin HS currently has openings for a boys and girls cross country coach - Citizen-Times.com

(Posted July 17, 2014)
One of the more talented North Carolina high school runners is Alana Hadley, who is about to begin her Senior year at Charlotte's Ardrey Kell HS.  Hadley was a Foot Locker National Cross Country qualifer as a freshman, and has run 17:05.16 (5K) and 34:59.38 (10K) in track meets. She is the 2nd-fastest NC girl ever - 17:16.7 - over the McAlpine course in Charlotte.  Hadley skipped cross country and track her Junior year to focus on the marathon - an event in which she has a best of 2 hours, 41 minutes and 55 seconds.

Hadley has written a blog to talk to young female runners in a very straight forward way about 4 topics that can often be touchy and controversial: nutrition, supplements, menstrual cycles and mileage. She has done this out of a deep desire to help others through her experiences and understanding. She sincerely hopes that many young runners (especially females) will find at least some of what she writes to be helpful to them.

Alana Hadley - Growing Up Fast: My Helpful Tips for Young Female Runners
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At the 1996 NCHSAA 3A Championships, Larry Brock (South Brunswick HS) won the Discus with a throw of 164-2. His best that year was a 185-5, which still ranks him 6th on the All-Time NC List. At the 1997 NCHSAA Indoor Championships, Brock placed 2nd in the Shot with a 51-2.5. Outdoors he had a best of 54-9.75. Here's an update on Larry Brock:

Western Harnett coach Larry Brock retiring from Highland Games to focus on family, football - FayObserver.com
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A 16-year old runner from Japan ran a 13:58.43 5000 in May, and will be at the World Junior Championships in Eugene, Oregon July 22-27.

Story: Shota Onizuka Heads to World Juniors | US All-Time HS 5000 List (scroll down)

(Posted July 16, 2014)
Former Chapel Hill HS and University of Wisconsin runner Jack Bolas will compete in the Liberty Mile Friday evening, August 1 in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Olympic Silver Medalist Headlines Liberty Mile | LibertyMile.org

(Posted July 14, 2014)
Several former NC prep standouts (Broughton HS's Sandy and Logan Roberts, North Forsyth's Bobby Mack, Asheville HS's Isaac Presson, Apex's Andie Cozzarelli) will be participating in the Sir Walter Miler Elite Races to be held in Raleigh, August 1st.

Story - LetsRun.com | SirWalterMiler.com

(Posted July 11, 2014)
Watauga HS rising senior Michael Holland placed 4th among 800 runners in Thursday's 20th Annual "The Bear" 5-Mile Race from Linville, NC to the top of Grandfather Mountain (elevation 5,280'). The grueling race has a total elevation climb of 1,568 feet. Holland's time was 33:36.5.

Results | Race Website | Story/Photos - WataugaDemocrat.com | Grandfather Mountain info

(Posted July 9, 2014)
Veteran sprint coach Tim Hall has accepted a position coaching the sprints, hurdles and relays at The University of Tennessee. He joins the staff of Tennessee's new Director of Track and Field and Cross Country, Beth Alford-Sullivan.

Hall ran for Charlotte Garinger HS where he was 1988 NCHSAA Indoor Champion in the 1000-yard Run (914.4-meters). That spring he placed 3rd in the 800m (1:55:66) in the NCHSAA 4-A Championships. Hall also worked as an assistant coach at several Charlotte high schools, including Myers Park HS, as well as with the Queen City Striders Track Club. Hall coached 12 years at UNC-Charlotte, 5 years at Clemson, and the past year at the University of Kentucky.

Story - UTsports.com

(Posted July 8, 2014)
UNC-Asheville Announces Signees for 2014-15 - UNCABulldogs.com
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Anyone else enjoy "Track & Field News Hieroglyphics" like I do?

The latest issue of eTN (Vol. 13, No. 43) from Track & Field News has results of last weekend's USATF National Junior Championships ...with this interesting line in the 200-meter results:

200(2.9):1. Trentavis Friday (GJTC) 20.03w (a-c HSL) (a-c: 1,1 HS; 4, =5 WJ; 3,3 AJ);

Translated, that means [I think] that
1) his 20.03 was wind-assisted (+2.9 meters-per-second),
2) is the National High School Leader for 2014 under all-conditions;
3) makes Friday #1 on the All-Time High School Performer list for the 200 in all-conditions;
4) It was the #1 High School 200 performance All-Time under all-conditions;
5) Friday is now #4 performer on the All-Time World Junior (under-20) List (all-conditions);
6) The performance is tied for #5 on the All-Time World Junior List (all-conditions);
7) Friday becomes the #3 performer on the All-Time American Junior List (all-conditions);
8) His 20.03w is the 3rd-best ever on the All-Time US Junior Performances list (all-condtions).

His line in the 100m results was a bit simpler:

Heats: I(1.6)-1. Friday 10.00 HSR (old HSR 10.01 Demps [FlHS] '08) (2, 2 WJ, AJ;)

(Posted June 30, 2014)
Former Clayton HS/Univ. of South Carolina star Johnny Dutch won his first USATF National Championship last weekend in Sacramento, California. He has twice been runner-up in the national championships.

Johnny Dutch wins first U.S. 400 Hurdles - TeamUSA.org
Results - USATF.org   Recap - IAAF.org

Former Knightdale HS hurdler Ronnie Ash won his Semi-Final in the 110H in 12.99 +1.2 -- the fastest time in the world this year. He became the 15th person to ever go under 13:00 in this event. Ash fell in the Final and did not finish.

Story/Photo - Daytona Beach News-Journal
Photo: Last hurdle in 12.99 race - Yahoo
Ash improves best from 13.19 to 12.99 - TrackAndFieldNews.com
Ash leads at 7th hurdle; falls - OregonLive.com

Sean McLean (SE Raleigh HS/Raleigh Word of God '11/Methodist Univ.) finished 3rd in the 100 (10.26 -1.7) and 4th in the 200 (20.41 +1.3 PR). McLean ran a 10.13 +1.7 finishing 4th in his 100 Semi.

Ryan Hill (Hickory HS/NC State) was 4th in the 5000 (13:32.82).

Former Raleigh Broughton HS athlete Jesse Williams (4-A High Jump Champ as Soph/Jr/Sr; 7-3 in HS; 2011 World Champion.) placed 5th in the High Jump (7-4 1/2).

Former Crest HS sprinter Manteo Mitchell was 5th in the 400 (45.09).

Former Clayton HS star Kendra Harrison placed 7th in the Women's 100-meter Hurdles (12.92 -1.6). Earlier, she won her Heat (12.56 +1.0) and Semi-Final (12.70 +1.3).

Shakeela Saunders, who competed one season for Fayetteville E.E. Smith, was 7th in the Long Jump (21-0.75 -0.9). Photo - UKathletics.com

Tavis Bailey (Kannapolis A.L. Brown HS/Tennessee) was 11th in the Discus (190-0).

Greensboro Dudley grad Tyler Brockington was 12th in the Women's 400m Hurdles Semis (58.49).

Andrew Wacker (Southern Pines Pinecrest HS/Colorado) was 16th in the 10,000 (30:31.96).

Tremanisha Taylor (Southern Vance HS/NC State) was 16th in the Shot Put (52-11).

Spencer Adams (Matthews Butler HS/Clemson/Nike) was 3rd in his 110H heat (13.55 -0.5) and 5th in his Semi (13.33 +1.2) ...the same Semi where Ash ran 12.99.

Briana Haith (Granville Central/South Carolina) was 5th in her 400 Heat (54.15).

Clemson sophomore Tevin Hester (Oxford Webb) was 6th in his heat of the 100 (10.44 -0.9).

Jack Bolas (Chapel Hill HS/University of Wisconsin) was 9th in his 1500 heat (3:46.33).

Addie Bracy (Northwest Guilford HS/UNC/Brooks) was 11th in her Heat in the Steeplechase (10:08.01).
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Related: NC Alums Excel at USA Nationals - NCrunners.com

(Posted June 23, 2014)
Alana Hadley (Charlotte Ardrey Kell HS) dropped out of Saturday's Grandma's Marathon in Duluth, Minnesota after 19 miles due to tightness in her right hip flexor. Hadley, who just completed her Junior year, skipped cross country and track this past year to focus on the marathon. She was a Foot Locker National Cross Country qualifer as a freshman, and has run 17:05.16 (5K) and 34:59.38 (10K) in track meets. She is the 2nd-fastest NC girl ever - 17:16.7 - over the McAlpine course in Charlotte.)  Her marathon best is 2:41:55.

More on Hadley | Race Coverage/Photos - DuluthNewsTribune.com

(Posted June 18, 2014)
Performances by former NC high school athletes at the Portland Track Festival in Portland, Oregon Saturday and Sunday (6/14-15):

1500: Graham Crawford (Burlington Williams/NC State) 5th, 3:40.80.
1500: Dylan Ferris (East Forsyth/Stanford) 11th, 3:44.27.
800: Kenyetta Iyevbele (Charlotte Olympic/NC State) 5th, 2:05.62. stats.
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Western NC Camps/Clinics (scroll down to "RUNNING") - Citizen-Times.com
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Derrick Speas steps down as coach at Winston-Salem Prep (6/17) - JournalNow.com
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The NCHSAA will add 3 charter schools and an early college this fall. The new schools are:

Uwharrie Charter Academy -- Asheboro
Chatham Charter -- Siler City
Mountain Island Charter -- Gaston County
Tri-County Early College -- Cherokee County

Apex Friendship is scheduled to enter the NCHSAA in the fall of 2015. The Wake County Schools has requested that Friendship join the Southwest Wake 4-A Conference.

Source: NewsObserver.com (scroll down)

(Posted June 17, 2014)
Cary Green Hope (4-A), Waxhaw Marvin Ridge (3-A), Carrboro (2-A), and Bishop McGuinness (1-A) are Wells Fargo Cup winners for 2013-14.

The awards recognize the schools that achieve the best overall interscholastic athletic performance in each NCHSAA classification.

Story/Top-15 by classification - NCHSAA.org
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Coaching Vacancies (Updated 6/17) - NCHSAA.org
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I was unable to keep up with performances by former NC high school athletes during last weekend's NCAA Championships (We sold our Chapel Hill house we'd had for 13 years and have been busy moving into a place in Carrboro and also a mountain home just outside Asheville) ..but here are some notable performances:

Junior Kendra Harrison (Clayton HS/Kentucky) was 2nd in the 400m Hurdles (55.55) and also placed 5th in the 100m Hurdles (12.79 +2.8).   Story/Photos - UKathletics.com

Wayne Davis II (Southeast Raleigh HS/Texas A&M) placed 3rd in the 110m Hurdles (13.24 +1.3). The 2 guys ahead of Davis (13.16 & 13.18) broke the previous meet record of 13.21 set by Tennessee's Aries Merritt in 2006.   Video | Story - AggieAthletics.com

Tavis Bailey (Kannapolis A.L. Brown HS/Tennessee) was 3rd in the Discus (203-10). Bailey is a junior.   Story/Photo - UTsports.com

Desmond Lawrence (Southern Durham HS/North Carolina A&T) was 7th in the 100 with a legal PR of 10.24 +1.8. Lawrence had earlier run a wind-assisted 10.12w +2.2 in the Semis.   Story - NCATaggies.com   Story - HeraldSun.com

Trey McRae (Scotland County HS/Charlotte) placed 13th in the High Jump at 6-10.75/2.10m.   Story/Photo - Charlotte49ers.com

Isaac Presson (Asheville HS/UNC) finished 13th in the men's 5,000 final with a time of 13:55.55, only three seconds off his career best.   Story - GoHeels.com   Story - Citizen-Times.com

Sydney White (East Forsyth HS/Wake Forest) tied for 13th in the Pole Vault (13-3.5/4.05m).   Story/Photo | Interview - WakeForestSports.com

The Charlotte 49ers finished 21st (40.12) in the 4x100 Semis, with a team including Anthony Bynum (Huntersville Hopewell HS) and John Osborne (Victory Christian)   Story

Final day Notes - USTFCCA.org
Day 4 Photos - DailyEmerald.com
Day 3 Recap - DailyRelay.com
Today's 5000 could make/break UO Men - OregonLive.com
Bromell lowers World Junior Record to 9.97 (+1.8) - IAAF.org
Complete NCAA Results - FlashResults.com

(Posted June 16, 2014)
Scholar-athletes live up to the name - News-Record.com

(Posted June 13, 2014)
Several former NC high school athletes competed on Day 2 Thursday at the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon.

Defending champion Wayne Davis II (Southeast Raleigh HS/Texas A&M) had the fastest time in the 110-meter Hurdles Semi-Finals - 13.36 +0.0. Davis II lowered his school record to 13.20 +1.9 two weeks ago at the NCAA West Regional.  Day 2 story - AggieAthletics.com.   Photo.

Kendra Harrison (Clayton HS/Kentucky) had the 6th best time (13.07 -1.6) in the 100-meter Hurdles Semis.   Photo 1.   Photo 2.

Sequoia Watkins (Asheville TC Roberson HS/NC State) placed 10th in the Women's Discus with a throw of 173-11. Watkins set a School Record of 180-4 (54.98m) at the NCAA East Regional two weeks ago.  Story - GoPack.com   Story - Citizen-Times.com

Cameron Hudson (Charlotte Berry Academy/East Carolina University) was 16th in the Long Jump (7.26m/23-10 -2.2). Hudson is a sophomore.   Day 2 Recap - ECUpirates.com

Jonathan Addison (Raleigh Enloe HS/NC State) placed 20th in the Long Jump (7.07m/23-2½ -3.6). Addison had jumped a personal-best 25-4.75 at the NCAA East Regional last month.

Jake Hurysz (Eastern Alamance HS/UNC/Colorado) was 20th in the 1500 Semis (3:48.16). Hurysz is a junior.

Sarah Rapp (Raleigh Cardinal Gibbons/Virginia Tech) was 21st in the 10,000-meters (34:10.96).

NCAA Championships Results | Day 2 Photos | NCAA Coverage - The Oregonian
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A June 13th story on Oregon Coach Robert Johnson:
(Johnson was 2nd in the 1991 NCHSAA 4-A Triple Jump, and later competed and coached at Appalachian State University.)

Coach's focus coming to fruition (6/13) - RegisterGuard.com

(Posted June 12, 2014)
Durham native Desmond Lawrence advances to the NCAA 100 Final with 10.12w +2.2 PR.
Story - NCATaggies.com   Results - Semis
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Former Clayton HS star Kendra Harrison, now competing for Kentucky, was the top qualifier for the 400m Hurdles Final with a 55.56.
Story - UKathletics.com
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Other former NC high school athletes competing yesterday were East Carolina University's Cameron Hudson (Charlotte Berry), Michael Neal (Charlotte Vance), Hunter Furr (Winston-Salem Mount Tabor), Austin Lewis (Charlotte Mallard Creek) in the 4x100, and Erin Tucker (Concord Jay M Robinson) and Jasmine Dawson (W Johnston) in the Women's 4x100. Story - ECUpirates.com

Also, South Carolina's Kendall Kee (Shelby Crest), and Eric Winfrey (Fayetteville Byrd) in the 4x100, and Tyler Brockington (Greensboro Dudley) and Alexis Murphy (Apex) in the Women's 4x100. Brockington was also 19th (59.92) in the 400m Hurdles Semis.  Story - GamecocksOnline.com

Clemson sophomore Tevin Hester (Oxford Webb) was 20th (10.31 +0.6) in the 100m Semis.  Story - ClemsonTigers.com

NCAA Results | Day 1 Recap | Meet Website
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Pole Vault Fans:
GREAT photo of PV equipment used back in the 1920s! (...and that pole is very likely bamboo.)

(Posted June 11, 2014)
Story on former Southern Durham HS sprinter Desmond Lawrence, who competes tonight at the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
Story/Photos - HeraldSun.com   More on Lawrence. - NCATaggies.com
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Final Wells Fargo Conference Cup Winners for 2013-14 - NCHSAA.org

The Wells Fargo Conference Cup recognizes schools with the best overall interscholastic athletic performances within individual conferences.
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Chapel Hill's Colin Vilen has been named the Big Eight 3-A Conference Male Runner of the Year, and Issac Marsh as the top Track Coach of the Year.
Story/Photos - ChapelHillNews.com
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Rosman senior Lauren Mahoney has accepted a preferred walk-on spot with the Gardner-Webb track program.
News item - Citizen-Times.com

(Posted June 10, 2014)
Tracks in Guilford County - News-Record.com

(Posted June 6, 2014)
UNC Track & Field Adds More Recruits (6/6) - GoHeels.com
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Watauga's Grimes signs letter of intent with Belmont-Abbey - WataugaDemocrat.com

Boone's Tailwind Track Club excels at the Ken Roberts Challenge - WataugaDemocrat.com

Durham Sports Club recognizes high school athletes at annual banquet - HeraldSun.com

(Posted June 5, 2014)
Six Jordan coaches will not retun in 2014-15 - NewsObserver.com

(Posted June 4, 2014)
Greensboro Pacesetters host first all-comers meet tonight - News-Record.com

(Posted June 2, 2014)
Jamel Jefcoat, a senior at Southeast Guilford High School, will sign his national letter of intent to UNC-Pembroke on Monday afternoon, June 2, 2014 in the Southeast Guilford cafeteria at 4:00 PM.

Jefcoat recently finished 4th in the Triple Jump at the recent NCHSAA 4A State Meet and finished 3rd in the Long Jump and 7th in the Triple Jump at the 4A Indoor State Meet in February. Jamel will be available for pictures and interviews after the signing.
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Old-timers may recall former NC State Track Coach Jim Wescott. Coach Wescott died recently at the age of 71 in Maine. He coached at NCSU from 1966-1978, leading his teams to four NCAA appearances, a combined eight All-American awards and 13 All-ACC distinctions.
Story - GoPack.com

(Posted May 28, 2014)
News relating to Charlotte's McAlpine Park:

The City's contractor is starting sewer pipe installation today under Upper McAlpine Creek Greenway near Sardis Road. The greenway will be closed between Sardis Road and Monroe Road, although some areas may be accessible until crews begin digging. Construction vehicles may access greenway site from Sardis Road and Monroe Road. Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation (MCPR) and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utility Department (CMUD) are working closely to reduce the impact of the sewer project on adjacent public facilities such as Boyce Park and McAlpine Creek Park, especially the fall 5K race season. The 5K trail events in McAlpine Creek Park will not be interrupted between August 1 and December 15 of any year.

(Posted May 14, 2014)
Chapel Hill junior Elise Matera who runs on her school's cross country and track teams is one of two receiving top honors in the inaugural NCHSAA Scholar-Athlete essay contest.
Press Release - NCHSAA.org
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Attention high school throwers:

The top three placers in the Shot Put, Discus, Javelin and Hammer at June's New Balance Nationals Outdoor Championships will be chosen to attend the Chicagoland Throws July 11-12, with full funding by the NSAF. A fourth "wild card/at large" place will be reserved for top throwers who may not be able to compete in the NBNO.

Beyond the competition, Chicagoland Throws is designed to maximize interaction between top high school and elite senior athletes. More details on this event can be found here, and here.

(Posted May 5, 2014)
Several former NC high school greats participated Sunday in the Payton Jordan Cardinal Invitational in Palo Alto, Californina.   Check out how they did.   Recap - RunnerSpace.com   More on the meet.   Story - GoStanford.com   5000 Photo - ImageOfSport.com
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Humor Department:
Man Runs Sub-4:00 Bear Mile - RunnersWorld.com

(Posted May 2, 2014)
UNCG names Chad Pearson Track/XC Coach, drops 'interim' tag - News-Record.com

(Posted April 30, 2014)
Former Hickory HS/NC State star Ryan Hill will race Sunday in a loaded 5,000 meters at the 19th Annual Payton Jordan Cardinal Invitational in Palo Alto, California. Also in the race are former NC high school stars Jack Bolas (Chapel Hill HS/University of Wisconsin), Thomas Graham (Cary Academy/Stanford), and Jake Hurysz (Eastern Alamance/UNC/Colorado).

Dylan Ferris (East Forsyth/Stanford) and Isaac Presson (Asheville HS/UNC) will be in the 1500 meters.

Story - OregonLive.com   Entries - FloTrack.org   Meet Info

Meet Guide   Who was Payton Jordan?
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West Iredell HS is considering an appeal to the NCHSAA to change classification and conference.
Story - Statesville.com
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The University of South Carolina will be getting new indoor and outdoor tracks. The new indoor track will be 200-meters banked, 6 lanes with seating for 500.

Story - DailyJournal.net   Details - GamecocksOnline.com

(Posted April 25, 2014)
WWW.CRAZYRUNNING.COM Middle and High School Clinics and Summer Mentoring

This exciting new Crazy Running program is specifically designed for the older middle school and high school runner who would like to take their running to the next level! Tuesday evening sessions will include an easy run, mentoring and education on running topics, and there will be time to address your runner's questions. Runners will have the opportunity to learn from experienced coaches, including an Olympic Trials Finalist. We understand running from a long-term perspective, and want to help guide your young athlete to a healthy, successful running career.

Info/Details/Contact.

(Posted April 22, 2014)
This is about a Florida 8th grader (NOT North Carolina), but still quite newsworthy:

Miami 15-year old runs 21.52 and 47.28.
Story/Photos - MileSplit.com

(Posted April 21, 2014)
UNC freshman Kwame Donyinah, formerly of Myers Park HS in Charlotte, ran the 2nd leg on the winning 4x400 relay team (3:05.89) at this weekend's ACC Championships in Chapel Hill. The win helped UNC's men to a 2nd place finish behind Florida State, 113-110. Earlier in the meet, Donyinah qualified for the 400 final with a PR 46.84. He placed 8th in the final (48.85).

Donyinah was 2012 NCHSAA 4-A 400 champion (47.48) and later ran 47.27 to place 4th at the New Balance Outdoor Nationals. In 2013 he ran indoor bests of 35.34 (300), 49.37 (400) and 1:06.22 (500). At the 2013 4-A State Outdoor meet he was 3rd in the 100 (10.71 +0.3) (10.70 +0.7 prelim), and 8th in the 400 (48.54).

Carolina Ends Championship In Dramatic Fashion - GoHeels.com
Day Two | Day One | Preview - GoHeels.com
Young Tar Heels thriving on track - Herald-Sun.com
Final push lands UNC in 2nd place - DailyTarHeel.com
Florida State men and women claim ACC Outdoor Track and Field Crowns - TheACC.com
Complete Results - FlashResults.com

Former Southern Vance HS athlete Tremanisha Taylor, now at NC State, won the ACC Shot Put title (54-0.5). Taylor was NCHSAA 2-A Discus Champion in 2008 (113-6) and 2009 (141-0 Meet Record). She had a best of 149-5 at the 2013 Mideast Regional.

Taylor wins gold in shot put at ACC Outdoor Championships - GoPack.com
Crawford & Perry win silver on final day - GoPack.com

Former Raleigh Enloe HS star, Jonathan Addison won the ACC Long Jump with a leap of 25-0. Addison won the LJ (23-4.5) and HJ (6-8) at the 2012 NCHSAA 4-A Indoor Championships. He was NCHSAA 4-A Outdoor High Jump Champion (6-8) in 2012 and also ran on Enloe's winning 1:26.61 4x200.

Day One: Addison Claims Gold, Colley and Perry Win Silver - GoPack.com
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Bearcats coach organizes benefit race (4/21) - Citizen-Times.com

Pisgah's Hannah Warren signs to run for East Tennessee State (4/19) - Citizen-Times

Tuscola's Julia Skelton wins NCHSAA scholarship (4/18) - Citizen-Times

(Posted April 17, 2014)
Former Raleigh Broughton HS star Danny Peebles has been selected for induction into NC State's Athletic Hall of Fame.   Peebles was 1984 NCHSAA Long Jump champion (all classifications competed combined) with a jump of 24-5.75. He placed 2nd in the 100 (10.59 nwi) and 4th in the 200 (21.73 nwi), helping Broughton to a 32-32 tie with Durham Hillside for the state title. That same year he also had a leap of 24-7 (nwi), which ranks 27th on the NC All-Time List 30 years later.  Peebles ranks 5th on NC's All-Time Indoor LJ List, with a 24-3.5 from 31 years ago.

Read about Peebles' NCSU and later accomplishments here:
Story - GoPack.com   Photo (scroll down)   N&O story

(Posted April 16, 2014)
An Interview on DyeStat.com with Charlotte Ardrey Kell junior Alana Hadley, who is skipping cross country and track to focus on the marathon.

(Hadley was a Foot Locker National Cross Country qualifer as a freshman, and has run 17:05.16 (5K) and 34:59.38 (10K) in track meets. She is the 2nd-fastest NC girl ever - 17:16.7 - over the McAlpine course in Charlotte.)

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Former Chapel Hill HS/University of Wisconsin distance star Jack Bolas will compete April 22 in the U.S. 1-Mile Road Championships in Des Moines, Iowa.
Entry List.   Race Website
For more on Bolas see the March 11 post below.

(Posted April 10, 2014)
A story with the latest on former Raleigh Broughton HS athlete Jesse Williams (4-A High Jump Champ as Soph/Jr/Sr; 7-3 in HS; 2011 World Champion.):
Jesse Williams puts injury-plagued year behind him - RegisterGuard.com

(Posted March 26, 2014)
JDL Fast Track is searching for a candidate to serve as the Assistant Facility Director, reporting directly to the Facility Director, Craig Longhurst. The position is a full-time, year-round position whose primary purpose will be to run day-to-day track and field facility operations, but will also serve to assist JDL Castle Corporation in real estate development duties during the offseason.
Job Description/Info to Apply - JDLFastTrack.com

(Posted March 26, 2014)
Future Mountaineers Ranked Top in the Nation

(Posted March 15, 2014)
Brandon King (Mitchell Co.) commits to UNC-Greensboro - Citizen-Times.com

(Posted March 11, 2014)
Former Chapel Hill HS/University of Wisconsin distance star Jack Bolas has been selected for induction into the Chapel Hill-Lincoln High School Athletics Hall of Fame during ceremonies April 12 at Chapel Hill HS. Bolas, a Sub-4-minute miler, was twice a qualifier for the Foot Locker National Finals, placing 6th as a senior in 2005. A week earlier at the Nike Team Nationals Bolas placed 2nd. He was selected the Gatorade N.C. Track and Field Athlete Of The Year in 2006. Bolas currently ranks 2nd in the 1600 on NC's All-Time High School List (4:04.38).
 Story - ChapelHillNews.com

(Posted March 10, 2014)
News item involving former North Mecklenburg HS star Kim Spano:
Story - CharlotteObserver.com

(Spano qualified for the 2008 Foot Locker National Cross Country Finals (17:36), was NCHSAA 4-A State Cross Country Champion in 2006, 2007, and 2008, was NCHSAA 4-A 1600 champion in 2008, 3200 champion in '09, Indoor 4-A 3200 champion in '09, and had a 3200 track best of 10:48.0. Bethany Spano was 2007 NCISAA 1A/2A State Cross Country Champion.)

(Posted March 7, 2014)
Polk's Jacob Collin signs with USC Upstate - Citizen-Times.com

(Posted March 5, 2014)
Watauga's Alison Seramur Commits to Queens - GoBlueRidge.net

West Rowan's Clay Cranford Signs With Catawba - SalisburyPost.com

College choices require serious thought (2/5) - Lexington Dispatch

(Posted March 3, 2014)
Former Asheville HS runner Isaac Presson became ACC 3,000-meter champion (8:15.20) last weekend at the ACC Indoor Championships in Clemson, S.C.
Presson's endurance carries Tar Heels track and field - DailyTarHeel.com
GoHeels.com stories:
Three Tar Heels Crowned Champion
Hicks Captures ACC Championship On Day 2
Day One of ACC Indoor Championship

ACC Indoor Championships site - TheACC.com
Results - TheACC.com
Clemson Women 8th, Men 11th - ClemsonTigers.com
Final Day of ACC's - GoPack.com
Chavis, Addison Claim Silver Medals - GoPack.com

Southern Conference Indoor Championships - JDL Fast Track:
WCU Sweeps Both Titles for 3rd Time in School History - CatamountSports.com
Catamounts Complete Day One - CatamountSports.com
Cook 3rd at first SoCon meet - Citizen-Times.com
Men's Track Finishes Second at SoCon Championships - GoASU.com
Women's Track Places Second - GoASU.com
Results - TFRRS.org

Other College Conference Results - USTFCCCA.org

(Posted February 28, 2014)
The Big South Conference has announced its all decade team for Indoor Track. Among those on the list is former West Forsyth athlete Eugene Galloway.  Galloway Triple Jumped 44-5.75 in his Regional Meet and placed 7th in the 2003 NCHSAA State 4-A Meet (44-2.75) prior to signing with High Point University.
  Photo/Story - HighPointPanthers.com
  Big South All Decade teams: Men | Women - BigSouthSports.com
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Kylie Spencer and Ariel Shores, members of the Southeast Guilford Track and Cross Country teams will be signing their national letters of intent on Thursday, March 13 at 4:00 PM in the Southeast Guilford High School cafeteria.  Kylie will be signing with Pfeiffer University and Ariel will be signing with Appalachian State.  Both athletes and their families will be available for pictures and interviews at the conclusion of the ceremony.

(Posted February 27, 2014)
News item on former Asheville A.C. Reynolds star Courtland Clavette:
  Clavette wins Brown scholarship (2/26) - Citizen-Times.com

(Posted February 25, 2014)
In addition to Darius Purcell (See Feb 24 item below) several other former North Carolina High School stars competed at the USATF Indoor Nationals Saturday:

3rd, 3000m - Ryan Hill (Hickory HS '08/NC State) 7:49.62, Also: 4th in 1500m, 3:44.15.

4th, 60m - Sean McLean (SE Raleigh HS/Raleigh Word of God '11/Methodist Univ.) 6.55 PR.

10th, 1500m - Taylor Gilland (Chapel Hill HS '09/Virginia) 3:49.98.

13th, Long Jump - Jacinda Evans (Southern Durham HS '08/UNC) 19-10.25.

2nd, 400m Heat - Manteo Mitchell (Shelby Crest HS '05/Western Carolina) 46.79.

Complete Results - USATF.org

(Posted February 24, 2014)
Former Fayetteville E.E. Smith and Appalachian State high jumper Darius Purcell placed 2nd at his first USATF Indoor National Championships Saturday in Albuquerque, NM with a mark of 7-5.25 (2.27m).

The top two in each event can compete at the World Indoor Championships in Poland next month. Unfortunately Purcell doesnt have the IAAF 'A' standard of 7-6.5 so he just missed out on his first USA team. His finish may qualify him for other USA team events later in the year.

Purcell was 2008 NCHSAA Outdoor 4-A Champion in the High Jump (6-7).

Results - USATF.org

Purcell's training group in california: ITGSportsManagement.com.

(Posted February 3, 2014)
This article is not about a North Carolina athlete, and is a bit of a bummer, but still perhaps should be read by coaches and others who may be interested in this rare, but serious situation:
Are Female Long-Distance Runners More Prone To Suicidal Depression?
"For college cross-country champion Madison Holleran - like other female long-distance runners before her - the perfectionistic pressures of her sport may have pushed her to suicide."

(Posted January 31, 2014)
Former Clayton HS athlete Keni Harrison is currently #1 in the world in the 60-meter hurdles. Her 60H time (7.96) was just .01 shy of the all-time collegiate top-10, and was one of two meet records she set at the McCravy Memorial Meet in Lexington, KY.

Harrison also anchored Kentucky's 4x400 with a 53.0 split. UK's time (3:33.35) was a school record - both indoors and out, and fastest in the world this year.

Story/Photo - NewsObserver.com
Harrison named SEC Runner of the Week - UKathletics.com
US Women's Indoor List - TrackAndFieldNews.com

(Posted January 29, 2014)
Track rock star Nick Symmonds headlines Camel City Elite Races on Saturday in Winston-Salem:
Story/Photo - News-Record.com

(Posted January 28, 2014)
An interesting Decathlon article:
This Ain't Your Grandpa's Grueling Decathlon - MileSplit.com
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The latest on the fastest Miler in prep history Alan Webb (Reston, VA 3:53.43, 2001):
Alan Webb to retire from professional running by Brandon Miles, MileStat.com
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Daily News Roundup: Short list of best-ever US distance runners? - DailyRelay.com
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Blue Devils notch 2 victories against rival UNC (1/27) - DukeChronicle.com

(Posted January 13, 2014)
Track fans and stat nuts will enjoy Jack Shepard's High School Track 2014.

The 5.5 x 8.5-inch 68-page booklet can be obtained by simply writing a check for $12.00 and mailing it to:
Jack Shepard, 14551 Southfield Drive, Westminster, CA 92683.

This, the 56th edition, has been produced annually for many years by Shepard, currently the Men's High School Editor for Track & Field News.

Besides results of major national high school meets last year there are lists (boys & girls') for 2013 (Top 50), All-Time, National HS Records, Class Records, and Age Records (14-18) ...for nearly all events, including the Medley Relays, Steeplechase, Hammer and Heptathlon. And that's just Outdoors. There are separate lists for Indoors.

The covergirl is currently a senior who last year ran 1:59.51, 4:04.62 (1500), 9:38.68i (2-Mile), and 15:45.56 in 2013. Did you know that two NC girls still have the All-Time bests in the Long Jump and 10,000? ...from the 1970s? Three NC boys are in the Top 11 All-Time in the Triple Jump? Two NC schools are in the Top 7 All-Time in the boys Sprint Medley? Two NC schools were in the Top 6 last year in the girls 4x200? Three NC guys were in the Top 6 in the 500 last year? ..and five in the Top 18? The sophomore record for the indoor SP is held by a Charlotte girl? The 22nd-best All-Time in the boys 800 was run in 1963? And the 13th-best All-Time Decathlon performance was set in 1953?

...Just some of the interesting nuggets one can dig up from this handy book.