(Posted May 17, 2012)
Latest on former Broughton HS star:
Jesse Williams sharpens his Olympic Trians focus (5/17) - RegisterGuard.com

Not time to abandon interscholastic sports (5/16) - Tim Stevens, N&O

Class of 2012 Triangle college commits (5/16) - N&O

(Posted May 15, 2012)
Former Southeast Raleigh HS star Wayne Davis II certainly produced a memorable Mother's Day present for his mother. Davis, a Texas A&M junior, ran a career best of 13.37 (+1.8) winning the 110 hurdles Sunday at the Big 12 Championships, and helping his team to the team title. Davis, who has Trinidad & Tobago citizenship, set a new Trinidadian National Record. His time bettered the Olympic "A" qualifying standard (13.52), and currently ranks the 20-year-old #15 in the world. The time equals the A&M school record set by Larry Wade in 1998, and set a stadium record. The previous Trinidad & Tobago record was 13.43, set in 1999. Davis' previous best was 13.54.

A&M men win Big 12 Track Title - WTAW.com
Texas A&M men reclaim No. 1 in national rankings - AggieAthletics.com
A&M men defend Big12 outdoor title, women third - AggieAthletics.com
National Records for Alexander, Davis - TrinidadExpress.com

Update: May 17: Former SE Raleigh hurdler nears Olympic berth - N&O

(Posted May 14, 2012)
Alumni update: Hoer receives academic honors - Citizen-Times.com

Rick Strunk of the NCHSAA shared this editorial written by Bob Gardner, executive director of the National Federation of State High School Associations, in response to an article that was posted May 7 in the online edition of USA Today.
7.6 Million Reasons To Keep High School Sports - NFHS.org

(Posted May 13, 2012)
Asheville High grad Isaac Presson runs fastest 1,500-meter race by a UNC men's track athlete since 1973.
Story - Citizen-Times.com

(Posted May 9, 2012)
Starting-System Technology - GMAnetwork.com

(Posted May 7, 2012)
Interview with former Charlotte Myers Park runner Julia Lucas. (5/6) - RunnersWorld.com
Lucas is now a 15:08.2 5000 runner. Here's a Photo of her from 2000 with her 5000 best.
...And another 2000 4-A West Regional 3200 Photo

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NCHSAA Press Release - May 7, 2012:

JDL Fast Track chosen as site of 2013
NCHSAA indoor track and field championships

WINSTON-SALEM-- JDL Fast Track today announced a partnership with the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) to host its 2013 indoor track and field championships. The meet is scheduled for February 9, 2013.

"We are excited about JDL Fast Track becoming a championship venue for the North Carolina High School Athletic Association, because a venue of this caliber will create a wonderful experience for our student-athletes," said NCHSAA commissioner Davis Whitfield. "This is a beautiful state of the art facility that should be a tremendous home for our indoor track and field championships. We look forward to a long and very positive relationship with the facility and all those who have expressed an interest in hosting our event."

"The North Carolina indoor state high school meet was one of our early targets when we initially started discussing the project to build an indoor track. To realize that goal of bringing the indoor state meet to Winston-Salem after only one year is a tremendous milestone for us," said David Shannon, owner of JDL Fast Track.

The NCHSAA state indoor meet is the second championship meet to move their event to JDL Fast Track, on the heels of NCAA Division 1 Southern Conference's decision to do so for 2013 and 2014.

About JDL Fast Track

JDL Fast Track, one of the premier indoor track and field facilities in the southeast, is the brainchild of two former Wake Forest University runners and current real estate developers, David Shannon and Craig Longhurst, who identified and fulfilled a need for an area indoor track facility for use by colleges, high schools, local track clubs and youth track organizations.

The privately owned, dedicated indoor track and field facility, which opened in January 2012, houses a 200-meter oval track with a Mondotrack FTX surface -- the same surface that will be used at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Field event areas include two pole vault runways, two long/triple jump runways, one high jump apron and one throws area. The facility also includes a 100-meter warm-up track, office and meeting-room space, a training room, and hospitality suites for coaches' or conference officials' meetings at large events.

About The NCHSAA

The North Carolina High School Athletic Association, Inc., was founded in 1913. The Association is a voluntary, non-profit corporation which administers the state's interscholastic athletic program. The first state championships were held in 1913 in football and track. Today, the Association has 390 member schools and certifies the eligibility of well over 200,000 athletes annually.

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Watauga runners commit to colleges:
Haley Middlebrook made a verbal commitment to walk on at Michigan.
Story (5/6) - WataugaDemocrat.com

(Posted May 4, 2012)
Watauga senior Hannah Barbour has made a verbal commitment to attend Wheaton College a Division III school in Wheaton, Illinois.
Story - GoBlueRidge.net

(Posted May 2, 2012)
Asheville TC Roberson senior Megan McDonald has committed to run college track for Johns Hopkins.
Story/Photo - Citizen-Times.com

North Buncombe senior Eli Clevenger has committed to run college cross country and track for Charlotte.
Story/Photo - Citizen-Times

(Posted May 1, 2012)
Dudley's Tyler Brockington and Achsah Brice to sign with Div. I schools (4/26) - News-Record.com

Green Hope and Panther Creek will remain in the Tri-Nine 4-A Conference; East Chapel Hill will remain in 4-A; Douglas Byrd to drop to 3-A.
"The Board also heard appeals from other schools, including Jordan-Matthews, Chatham Central, Salisbury, Draughn and East Burke, Lake Norman Charter, North Buncombe and Brevard. After long deliberation on each of these appeals, the Board voted to deny the appeals and uphold the previous decisions made by the Realignment Committee." - from NCHSAA Press Release, 5/1.
Story - N&O   Story - Citizen-Times

(Posted Apr. 30, 2012)
Former Charlotte Myers Park runner Julia Lucas, who later starred at NC State and now runs for the Oregon TC, finished 2nd April 29th in the 5000m at the Payton Jordan Cardinal Invitational in Palo Alto, Calif. Her time of 15:08.52 is a personal best. It is also the fastest time by an American so far in 2012. (Old best, 15:15.91 by Molly Huddle). Lucas is married to native Oregonian Ian Dobson, who ran the 5000 at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Lucas incidently is still #1 on the All-Time NC Indoor 1600 list (4:49.86 in 2002).
Photo from 2000.   Recent interview - runnerspace.com

University of Colorado sophomore Jake Hurysz won the "B" section of the 5000m with a 57.0 final lap to lower his personal best by 46 seconds to 13:38.59. Hurysz formerly ran for Eastern Alamance HS and UNC.

Former North Forsyth and NC State star Bobby Mack ran 27:53.52 for 10,000m, placing 14th.
February N&O story.   February Runners' World Interview.   Is Bobby Mack the Jeremy Lin of Running? - Let'sRun.com

Several other former NC high school athletes (Ryan Hill, Sandy Roberts, Kenyatta Iyevbele, Patrick Campbell) also competed for NC State in the meet. (See Details on how they did - GoPack.com)

Complete Results
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3rd Annual NCHSAA Adams Scholarships go to cross country/track student/athletes:
Announcement - NCHSAA.org

(Posted Apr. 27, 2012)
This year's two 7th Annual Clary Medal winners are track and field athletes:   Story (4/26) - NCHSAA.org

2 more WNC track athletes pick schools (4/27) - Citizen-Times.com

Jeff Gorski (who created Klub Keihas) has written a good article in which he emphasizes that coaches and athletes "have better access, information and methods of training today then at any time in human history".
Gorski's article (4/24) - DyeStat.com

Brief item from today's N&O:
"Frazier gets invite: Ravenscroft’s Wesley Frazier has been invited to run in the Dream Mile at the adidas Grand Prix on June 9 in New York. The event will feature dozens of Olympic medalists, world champions and a few of the top high school athletes in the country." - Source: (News & Observer article)

Fayetteville Pine Forest coach runs Boston Marathon in 2 hours, 56 minutes.
Story - FayObserver.com

(Posted Apr. 25, 2012)
NCSSM honored; East Chapel Hill back to 4-A? (4/25) - Herald-Sun.com
AAA Scholar-Athlete Winners Named - NCHSAA.org

(Posted Apr. 24, 2012)
Legendary NCCU Coach Dies at 93.
NCCU's LeRoy Walker dies at 93 - Herald-Sun.com
LeRoy Walker left his mark on US Olympic movement - Herald-Sun
Column: Walker connected people around the world - N&O
Former NCCU chancellor, USOC head LeRoy Walker, dies - N&O
Article - USTFCCCA.org

(Posted Apr. 22, 2012)
Raleigh school an advertising success story (4/21) - Wilmington Star-News

Related story: Schools testing uncharted waters for fundraising (4/21) - Star-News

(Posted Apr. 19, 2012)
The latest on former Matthews Butler star Spencer Adams. - ClemsonTigers.com
Adams was 2007 NCHSAA 4-A 300m Hurdles Champion (36.04 - a meet record) and 2008 110m Hurdles Champion (13.51).

(Posted Apr. 18, 2012)
A series of next winter's high-profile high school meets in The Armory in New York City will include a new event -- the indoor steeplechase. The event will begin as a waterless one-mile event in 2012-13, but depending on the events' success, The Armory will explore including a water jump into future races.
Story - ArmoryTrack.com   Steeplechase info.

(Posted Apr. 16, 2012)
Ardrey Kell Freshman and National Foot Locker Cross Country finalist, Alana Hadley, won the women's 10,000 against college competition Friday evening at the SeaRay Relays in Knoxville, TN. Hadley, who does not compete for her school team, had a time of 34:59.38 (5k splits of 17:21/17:38). The time ranks Hadley as 9th fastest high schooler ever in the 10,000 on the All-Time Girls HS List  (Source: Track & Field News).
Meet Results - FlashResults.com

The National High School record in the 10,000 is 32:52.5 by Mary Shea (Raleigh Cardinal Gibbons HS) Walnut, California, June 15, 1979.

Also at the SeaRay Relays (held since 1967 and formerly known as the Dogwood Relays) University of Tennessee redshirt freshman Tavis Bailey, a graduate of Kannapolis A.L. Brown HS, won the Invitational Discus with a throw of 176-9. Bailey currently ranks No. 4 in the SEC.

Burlington Williams runner Abigail Bost will be heading to Wingate.
Story - Times-News

(Posted Apr. 12, 2012)
Outstanding West Charlotte runner Mark Blackmon has committed to play basketball for Maryland Eastern-Shore. (Source) Blackmon won the 2011 4 Runners Only Carnival, was 2011 NCHSAA 4-A Cross Country Champion, and ran a 15:01 at the Foot Locker South Regional to qualify for the Foot Locker Nationals, but did not run. He received five basketball scholarship offers from colleges, including Stony Brook (NY) and Towson (MD). At the Queen City Relays March 24th, Blackmon ran legs on West Charlotte's 4x800 (4th place, 8:27.49), SMR (1st, 3:37.83), and 4x400 (16th, 3:55.76). He is entered in the Mile, and 800 for this weekend's Taco Bell Classic in Columbia, SC.
Earlier Story/Photo on Blackmon - CharlotteObserver.com

Updated list of Triangle college commits - N&O.  (The date on the story says 4/5, but list was actually updated 4/11)

(Posted Apr. 9, 2012)
David Pickett, founder of WNCPrepTrack.com has announced that his site will shut down at the end of June. He said he wants to focus more on his graduate studies and his new role as college editor at MileSplit, Inc.
Announcement - WNCPrepTrack
News Item - Citizen-Times.com

Pickett has also been helpful to NCPrepTrack for several years, emailing links and alerting me to news items and stories, and helping to provide info for NCPrepTrack's statistical lists.

(Posted Apr. 6, 2012)
Western Alamance HS senior Katie Schomburg signed a national letter-of-intent to compete in cross country for Division II Lenoir-Rhyne.
Story (4/5) - TheTimesNews.com
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Reasons vary, but more athletes favor specialization for sports (3/31) - RockyMountTelegram.com

(Posted Apr. 4, 2012)
Vaulting pole rule controversy in New Jersey - PoleVaultPower.com

(Posted Apr. 3, 2012)
Good story in today's Asheville Citizen-Times on Western Carolina University's track and field program.

(Posted Mar. 30, 2012)
Harris signs with Charlotte
Watauga High senior pole vaulter Reid Harris has signed his National Letter of Intent with UNC-Charlotte.
Story - GoBlueRidge.net

(Posted Mar. 22, 2012)
Former West Davidson HS student-athlete Kortnie Curry has been named the Conference Carolinas Womens Field Athlete of the Week. She is currently a sophomore at Lees-McRae College and recently set a new school record in the High Jump.
Source - GoBlueRidge.net

(Posted Mar. 21, 2012)
Appalachian Signs Three Student-Athletes.
Appalachian State University head cross country and distance coach Michael Curcio announced that Mitch McLeod (Chapel Hill HS), Joshua Ellis (15:59.6 - Bethesda, MD), and Jonathan Bivens (Weddington HS) have signed National Letters of Intent.

Story (3/21) - GoBlueRidge.net
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2010 Morganton Patton graduate John Schilkowsky nearly hits a 4:00 mile.

The Cornell University sophomore ran 4:03.93 at the Valentine Invitational. He ran a 1:49.9 relay leg at the IC4A Championship to help Cornell to a winning 4x800 (7:24.08).

Story on Schilkowsky and other former Burke County athletes (3/20) - Morganton.com

Cornell sophomore Steven Bell (Garner HS) won the LJ (24-4.25) at the Heptagonal Championships. He also won the LJ (23-3.75) and TJ (48-6) at the Kane Invitational.
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Update on former Raleigh Wakefield HS/NC State sprinter T.J. Graham (10.21w +2.9 2008, 10.44 +1.4 2008, 20.82 2008).

(Posted Mar. 20, 2012)
Track and Field fans may want to mark February 23-24, 2013 on their calendars. The new JDL Fast Track indoor facility in Winston-Salem has announced that they will be the host facility for the Southern Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships for both 2013 and 2014.   Press Release

(Posted Mar. 19, 2012)
Asheville Citizen-Times news items:

West Henderson senior Sean Rapp has committed to run college cross country and track for Mars Hill.
Story.

Swannanoa Owen senior Emily Kimble has committed to UNC Wilmington.
Story.

Hendersonville senior Tristen Endaya signed with Carson-Newman.
Story.

2011 Brevard HS grad Alex Goden wins Tobacco Road Marathon.
Story - Citizen-Times.com   Story - News & Observer

(Posted Mar. 15, 2012)
For anyone interested in renewing their USATF officials' certification or becoming a new official, JDL Fast Track is hosting an officials certification course with Roger Burbage on Thursday, March 22 at 6 pm. With at least a dozen track meets planned for next season, we will have a definite need for officials, which is why we are hosting the class.

To sign up, please go to www.tf-registrations.com. The cost is $55 for the USATF and state level fees.

(Posted Mar. 14, 2012)
North Henderson's Catie Byrd has signed with Spartanburg Methodist.
Story - Citizen-Times.com
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Gray's Creek HS graduate Quanera Hayes earns NCAA Division II All-American status.
Story (3/14) - FayObserver.com

(Posted Mar. 13, 2012)
Former Shelby Crest HS sprinter ran on the winning US 4x400 team at the World Indoor Track & Field Championships in Turkey.
Story - ShelbyStar.com   Wrap-up - USATF.org
Index   Results - IAAF.org

(Posted Mar. 7, 2012)
Today's News & Observer has an interesting story on high school girls' sports.

(Posted Feb. 28, 2012)
Performances by former North Carolina high school athletes at last weekend's USATF Indoor Championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico:

400 - 5th, Manteo Mitchell (Shelby Crest HS/Western Carolina/unattached) 46.17 PR
800 - 4th in Heat, Karjuan Williams (New Bern HS/adidas) 1:50.94
High Jump - 1st, Jesse Williams (Raleigh Broughton HS/NC State/Southern Cal/Oregon TC) 7-6
Triple Jump - 6th, Alphonso Jordan (Huntersville Hopewell HS/Georgia Tech/unattached) 53-9 1/4
60 - 5th in Heat, Gabby Mayo (Southeast Raleigh HS/Texas A&M/unattached) 7.32
60 - 6th in Semi, Gabby Mayo 7.31
60 Hurdles - 3rd, Gabby Mayo 8.04 PR
60 Hurdles - 3rd in Semi, Gabby Mayo 8.06

Results - FlashResults.com
Summaries: Sunday | Saturday
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Elkin HS distance runner signs with UNC-Pembroke
Story/Photos - YadkinValleySports.com

(Posted Feb. 21, 2012)
Here's a story I spotted today that reminded me again how fortunate we are here in North Carolina to have a new, quality indoor track facility.

Antiquated facility in Baltimore features in the rotation to host important indoor meets (2/20) - WashingtonPost.com

(Posted Feb. 20, 2012)
The JDL Fast Track Indoor Track Facility in Winston-Salem has announced their first training program. They have partnered with Crazy Running for their first youth speed development program for kids ages 10-16. The program begins March 4th and will run Sundays and Tuesdays from 6:45 to 7:45 pm. An open house will be held at JDL Fast Track on Tuesday, February 21 from 7-8 pm for anyone interested in signing up their kids. Fees are $65 for kids attending one night per week and $125 for those attending both nights each week. Go to www.CrazyRunning.com for more information!

(Posted Feb. 19, 2012)
Coach Damion Mclean and April Smith of Appalachian State University will be hosting a learn by doing Jumps/Throws clinic at Bunker Hill High School on Sunday, March 18th from 2-4 pm. It may go to 5 pm depending on number of athletes participating. Events will be Discus/Shot Put, Long Jump/Triple Jump. Cost is $30.00 an athlete or coach. If you wish to write a check make it out to Coach Mclean or April Smith. If you have any questions contact John Sullivan at Bunker Hill High School at john_sullivan@catawbaschools.net

(Posted Feb. 16, 2012)

(Posted Feb. 15, 2012)
Former Hickory HS star Ryan Hill, currently at NC State, continues to have an excellent indoor season. Latest is the 4th-fastest 3000m in NCAA history. He smashed the American collegiate record, previously held by Oregon's Galen Rupp.
Pack's Hill runs to record - N&O
Hill breaks American Collegiate Record for Indoor 3000 - GoPack.com
Hill named ACC Co-Performer of Week - GoPack.com

Former North Forsyth HS/NC State runner Bobby Mack won the USA Cross Country Championship Saturday in St. Louis. Mack is currently a volunteer assistant coach at NC State.
Story - GoPack.com

(Posted Feb. 10, 2012)
East Forsyth's Sydney White (13-1 1/2) to Wake Forest.
Austin Vegas (15-6) to William & Mary.
East Forsyth's champion vaulters sign with Wake Forest, William & Mary (2/6) - News-Record.com
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Stormy Kendrick (Gastonia Forestview HS/Clemson) matched her personal best 60m of 7.22 Friday at The New Balance Invitational, held at The Armory in New York City. The time makes her this year's NCAA leader in the event.
Spencer Adams (Matthews Butler HS/Clemson) was named ACC Indoor Performer-of-the-week. (2/7) Story - ClemsonTigers.com
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A good article on the value of technology in speed training - WashingtonPost.com
1972 Olympians John Smith and Dr. Ralph Mann are prominent coaches in the story.

(Posted Feb. 7, 2012)

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NCHSAA Partnership Produces Public Service Announcements - NCHSAA.org

(Posted Feb. 5, 2012)
Former Hickory HS star Ryan Hill became NC State's first runner in school history to break the four-minute mark in the Mile Friday, running a 3:58.33 on Virginia Tech's banked 200m track. His time was also a meet record and track record.

It broke the previous NC State record held by four-time All-American Jim Wilkins (Roxboro HS, '69 &'70 NCHSAA Mile Champion .. [Bradsher Wilkins' dad ... Bradsher was '98 NCHSAA Champion + twice a Foot Locker qualifier]), who ran a 4:00.05 mile in an outdoor meet at NC State in 1973. That record stood for 39 years and was the longest-standing record in NC State's record book.

Stories: GoPack.com | N&O | HokieSports.com

(Posted Feb. 1, 2012) ... (updated later)
Today the the first day that high school seniors can sign an official National Letter of Intent.
Signings for NC athletes | National list | Submission form | Story - DyeStat.com
College Choices:   By college | By college conference - DyeStat.com
Choices by non-signees (by state) - DyeStat.com
Signing Day arrives for Class of 2012 - NCrunners.com
College choices - NCrunners
Updates (2/7) - NCrunners
Charlotte area college signings - CharlotteObserver.com
Greensboro area athletes signing - News-Record.com
Triangle college commits - N&O

Stories:
Ford to Wofford (2/1) - Citizen-Times.com
Scroll up above for signings for Harvey McSwain II, Sydney White, and Austin Vegas.

(Posted Jan. 31, 2012)
Coach Depaul Mittman is recruiting workers/officials for the NCHSAA Indoor State Championships to be held at UNC-Chapel Hill Saturday, Feb. 11th.

If you are interested in volunteering, please email him at depaulmittman@bellsouth.net

1-A/2-A/3-A Schedule:
7:30 - Facility opens for athletes & coaches. Packets available for coaches. Men vaulters weigh-in.
8:00 - Officials Meeting. Facility opens for spectators.
8:15 - Coaches Meeting.
9:00 - Field Events begin. 4x800 Relays (women first).
4-A Schedule:
2:30 - Facility opens for athletes & coaches. Packets available for coaches. Men vaulters weigh-in.
3:00 - Officials Meeting. Facility opens for spectators.
3:15 - Coaches Meeting.
4:00 - Field Events begin. 4x800 Relays (women first).
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Fans of the throwing events may enjoy today's commentary by Jeff Gorski. - DyeStat.com
(One of links in the story appears to be broken. This appears to be the correct link.)

(Posted Jan. 30, 2012)
Wednesday, Feb. 1, is national signing day for football, soccer, field hockey, cross country and track and field.

Hezekiah Ward of the Southeast Guilford Men's Indoor Track and Field Team is signing with UNC-Wilimington.

(Posted Jan. 29, 2012)
Southeast Guilford lost a bookbag (brown made by an outdoor manufacturer) filled with medical and track items and a small black camera bag with cameras at the JDL meet on Friday night. If anyone picked them up by accident, please contact Coach Tyre at coachtyre@hotmail.com or at tyrea@gcsnc.com. You may also contact Coach Tyre at 252 230 7078. A reward is available for the return of these items.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools has sent the N.C. High School Athletic Association a proposal for how it wants to realign local schools into conferences beginning with the 2013-14 school year. A few schools in Cabarrus and Union counties would also be involved.
Story - CharlotteObserver.com
(The proposed reconfigurations of the Southwestern 4-A, I-Meck 4-A, and MEGA7 conferences are at the bottom of the page.)
Current configurations - NCHSAA.org

(Posted Jan. 27, 2012)
Cary Green Hope HS distance runner Erica Amatori has committed to William & Mary.

Chapel Hill HS distance star Mitch McLeod has committed to Florida State.

Source: www.newsobserver.com/preps

(Posted Jan. 26, 2012)
NCHSAA commissioner against split leagues - Citizen-Times.com

Former Crest HS standout 3rd in 400 in New York City - WNCprepTrack.com

UNC junior Chrishawn Williams (Southeast Raleigh HS) won the LJ (19-9.5) last weekend at the Hokie Invitational at Virginia Tech.
Results - FlashResults.com.   Story - TarHeelBlue.com.

Ronnie Ash (Knightdale HS/Oklahoma/Nike) and junior Spencer Adams (Matthews Butler HS/Clemson) ran 1 - 2 in the 60m Hurdles at the Auburn Indoor Invitational. Ash won in 7.59 and Adams' 7.68 qualified him for the NCAA Championships. Adams' time is #2 in Clemson history, behind only the 7.60 by former Olympian Duane Ross (North Gaston HS/Clemson) in 1995.

Freshman Keni Harrison, (Clayton HS/Clemson) ran a leg on the winning 4x400 (3:34.97). Clemson's 4x400 now ranks #1 on the current NCAA Women's Indoor List.
Results.   Story - ClemsonTigers.com

At the Texas A&M/LSU dual meet in College Station, TX, junior Wayne Davis II (Southeast Raleigh HS/Texas A&M) was 2nd in the 60m Hurdles with a 7.93. Texas A&M beat LSU 88-68.
Story/Results - AggieAthletics.com

(Posted Jan. 19, 2012)
At the Navy Opener last weekend, sophomore Aerial Chatman (Harnett Central HS/UNC-Wilmington) won the LJ with a career-best of 23-2.
Story/Results - UNCWsports.com

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DyeStat.com today has an interesting article on a new campaign to eliminate the 1600-meters and replace it with the mile. Incidently, the article mentions Jim Beatty -- one of NC's greatest ever runners, who was 1952 and 1953 NCHSAA mile champion while at Charlotte Central HS.

(Posted Jan. 18, 2012)
Appalachian State University track and field director John Weaver has been selected to be a member of the USA Track and Field men's coaching staff for the 2012 IAAF World Indoor Championships in Istanbul, Turkey in March.   Press release - goASU.com

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At the Texas 10-Team invitational last weekend, Texas A&M junior (former Southeast Raleigh HS star) Wayne Davis II won the 60m Hurdles in 7.91, after an 8.00 in the prelims. He was also 9th in the 200 (21.85). The meet was held at Texas A&M. Former Southeast Raleigh High sprinter Gabby Mayo placed 4th (24.60) in the Olympic Development 200m.  Complete results

UNC senior Jacinda Evans (Southern Durham HS) won the LJ (19-7 1/4) at the Dick Taylor Invitational at UNC. Sophomore Tristine Johnson (Durham Jordan HS) placed 2nd in the TJ (39-6). Chrishawn Williams a UNC junior (Southeast Raleigh HS) was 3rd (39-0 1/4). Williams earlier placed 2nd in the LJ (19-6 1/4). UNC freshman Cori Floyd (Matthews Covenant Day) ran on the 2nd-place 4x400 team (3:53.59). Brendon White, a freshman from Asheville HS, was 4th in the TJ (46-4 3/4). Sophomore Pete Rehder (Cary Green Hope HS) placed 3rd in the PV (15-3).

(Posted Jan. 17, 2012)
NC State freshman Reuben Malone who competed for Harnett Central HS won the Triple Jump (50-11) in his first college meet last weekend at the Virginia Tech Invitational. Former Durham School of the Arts athlete Kwame Boatwright, now a junior at NC State was 2nd (49-2). NC State redshirt junior Danielle Adams (Jacksonville Northside HS) tied for 7th in the HJ. Carl Marant, formerly of Raleigh Sanderson HS, was 10th. NC State redshirt senior Lawanda Henry, formerly of Cape Fear Christian Academy, was 2nd in the Weight Throw (61-4 3/4). Redshirt freshman Tremanisha Taylor, who competed for Southern Vance HS, was 7th. Taylor later placed 5th in the SP (45-1 1/2). Former Fuquay-Varina HS star Grant Pearce, now an NCSU redshirt junior, was 2nd in the Weight Throw (58-10 3/4). State freshman Nathaniel Williams, from West Carteret HS, placed 4th (57-5 1/2). Williams was 9th in the SP (47-9 1/4).

Wake Forest junior Booker Nunley, a former Garner HS athlete, won the 60m Hurdles (7.92). Nunley had a 7.90 in the prelims. His brother Malcolm Nunley, a sophomore who was a hurdler/sprinter at Southeast Raleigh HS, finished 6th (8.15). Former Matthews Butler HS star Spencer Adams, now a junior at Clemson ran a 7.85 in the prelims but did not finish the final. Adams ran on Clemson's winning 4x400 (3:13.11). Stormy Kendrick a Clemson junior who ran at Gastonia Forestview HS, was 2nd in the 60m (7.32) and 3rd in the 300m. Clemson freshman Keni Harrison, formerly of Clayton HS, was 5th in the 60m Hurdles. Harrison also ran on Clemson's winning 4x400 (3:57.58), which qualified for the NCAA's. La'Mont Jackson, a former Winston-Salem RJ Reynolds HS star and now a sophomore at Clemson, placed 3rd in the 500 (1:05.24). Jackson also had a leg on Clemson's winning 4x400.

(I assembled this summary rather hastily. Please let me know if I overlooked someone.)

(Posted Jan. 13, 2012)
Update:   Tarboro's Todd Gurley has committed to Georgia.
Story - RockyMountTelegram.com.  Story - Citizen-Times.com  Report - NCPreps.com

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Former Forsyth Country Day School runner and 2008 Olympic team member Blake Russell competes Saturday in the 2012 US Olympic Marathon Trial in Houston.  Russell won 11 NCISAA track titles while at FCD from 1990 - 1993.
Russell aims for London - JournalNow.com   Story - News-Record.com   Earlier story - TarheelBlue.com
Olympic Marathon Trial Website   Blake Russell's blog.

Addie Bracy, who ran for Northwest Guilford HS and UNC had also qualified for the Olympic Trial but has scratched.

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Former UNC head cross country coach Pete Watson has been named head men's cross country coach at Virginia.   Story - VirginiaSports.com

Virginia also named Todd Morgan as head women's cross country coach. Morgan, who graduated from Wake Forest-Rolesville HS, was 10th in the 1992 NCHSAA State 3-A cross country meet and 7th in 1993. Morgan established an outstanding record at his previous job as head men's and women's cross country coach at Florida. (GatorZone.com)

Virginia's assistant coach for cross country/track and field is Julie Stackhouse, who was NCHSAA State 1-A/2-A cross country champion in 1995 while at Hayesville HS. Stackhouse was four-time NCHSAA State 1-A champion in the 100m Hurdles (1994-97). She was also NCHSAA State 1-A champion in the High Jump in 1995, 1996, and 1997, the 200 in 1994 and 1995, the 800 in 1996 and 1997, the 1600 in 1996, the 300m Hurdles in 1994 and 1995, and in the 400 in 1997. (source)

Former Asheboro HS runner Ryan Vanhoy is now UNC's head cross country coach. Vanhoy was 10th in the 2004 NCHSAA State 3-A Cross Country Meet, and 6th in the 3200 at the 2005 State 3-A Meet.   More on Vanhoy at TarHeelBlue.com

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Tarboro's Todd Gurley is expected to commit today to either Clemson, Georgia or N.C. State. Story - Citizen-Times.com
Gurley competed in the 2011 IAAF World Youth Championships in France.   Story - RockyMountTelegram.com   Story - N&O.   More - NCrunners.com

(Posted Jan. 5, 2012)
Track & Field News has released their 2011 U.S. Top 40 Performers lists for each event, and names of 28 former NC high school athletes appear on them:

200m ... 34th, 23.09 Stormy Kendrick (Gastonia Forestview HS/Clemson) 4/23, ACC.
400m ... 16th, 51.94 Aiesha Goggins (Durham Riverside HS)/East Carolina) 5/15, CUSA.
Mile ... 15th, 4:35.69 Julia Lucas (Charlotte Myers Park/NC State/Oregon TC) 6/4, Nashville.
5000m ... 38th, 15:49.24 Addie Bracy (Northwest Guilford HS/UNC/Carrboro TC) 7/19, Lignano.
10,000m ... 18th, 33:08.39 Addie Bracy 5/1 Cardinal Inv.
Half-Marathon ... 23rd, 74:10 Addie Bracy 12/4 Las Vegas.
100m Hurdles ... 40th, 13.23 LaToya James (Burlington Cummings HS/UNC) 4/23, ACC.
400m Hurdles ... 10th, 55.83 LaToya James 4/23, ACC.
High Jump ... =33rd, 5-11 1/2i (1.82m) Patience Coleman, (Southern Durham HS/UNC) 2/25 ACC Indr.
Pole Vault ... =16th, 14-1 3/4 (4.31m) Joanna Wright (Winston-Salem RJ Reynolds HS/Georgia Tech) 4/9 Tallahassee.
Triple Jump ... =35th, 42-2 (12.85m) Radiance Basden (Western Guilford HS/South Carolina) 5/7 Chapel Hill.

100m ... 7th, 9.99 Travis Padgett (Crest HS/Clemson/adidas) 5/21 Clermont. More
100m ... =19th, 10.19 Jonathan Hancock (West Charlotte HS/NC A&T/unattached) 6/17 Charlotte.
100m ... =25th, 10.21 J-Mee Samuels (Winston-Salem Mount Tabor HS/Arkansas/adidas) 5/7 Baie-Mahault. More.
200m ... 27th, 20.62 Sean McLean (SE Raleigh HS/Raleigh Word of God/Methodist Univ.) 6/18 NBN. More.
400m ... 27th, 45.75 Brent LaRue (East Forsyth HS/Wake Forest/unattached) 6/28 Velenje.
400m Hurdles ... 10th, 49.77 Brent LaRue 6/12 Celje.
400m ... 33rd, 45.95 Manteo Mitchell (Crest HS/Western Carolina/unattached) 5/15 Greensboro. More.
400m ... 34th, 46.00 Darius Law (SE Raleigh HS/UNC-Charlotte) 4/16 Auburn.
800m ... 27th, 1:47.10 Karjuan Williams (New Bern HS/adidas) 6/4 Nashville.
1500m ... 20th, 3:38.39 Jack Bolas (Chapel Hill HS/Wisconsin/New Balance) 6/9 Oslo DL.
Mile ... 28th, 3:58.56 Jack Bolas 8/13 Falmouth.
1500m ... 33rd, 3:40.80 Ryan Hill (Hickory HS/NC State) 5/14 Chapel Hill.
3000m ... 15th, 7:50.78i Ryan Hill 2/12 Husky Cl.
5000m ... 15th, 13:31.67 Ryan Hill 5/1 Cardinal Inv.
5000m ... 30th, 13:41.49 Andrew Wacker (So. Pines Pinecrest HS/Colorado) 5/1 Cardinal Inv.
10,000 ... 9th, 28:11.00 Bobby Mack (North Forsyth HS/NC State/unattached) 5/1 Cardinal Inv.
10,000 ... 13th, 28:24.53 Stephen Haas (North Mecklenburg HS/Indiana/New Balance) 5/1 Cardinal Inv.
110m Hurdles ... 7th, 13.25 Ronnie Ash (Knightdale HS/Oklahoma/Nike) 6/24 USATF.
110m Hurdles ... =26th, 13.54 Wayne Davis II (Southeast Raleigh HS/Texas A&M) 6/9 NCAA.
110m Hurdles ... 28th, 13.55 Spencer Adams (Matthews Butler HS/Clemson) 5/28 NCAA East.
110m Hurdles ... =34th, 13.64 Johnny Dutch (Clayton HS/South Carolina/Nike) 5/31 Ostrava IWC.
400m Hurdles ... 5th, 48.47 Johnny Dutch 6/26 USATF.
High Jump ... 1st, 7-9 1/4 (2.37m) Jesse Williams (Raleigh Broughton HS/NC State/Southern Cal/Oregon TC) 6/26 USATF.
High Jump ... =15th, 7-4 1/4 (2.24m) Tanner Anderson (East Burke HS/Duke) 5/15 IC4A.
Triple Jump ... 6th, 54-11 1/4 (16.74m) Alphonso Jordan (Huntersville Hopewell HS/Georgia Tech/unattached) 4/16 Mt SAC.

(Source: Track and Field News eTrack Newsletter, Vol. 2, No. 1, January 3, 2012 and Vol. 2, No. 2, January 4, 2012.)

Please let NCPrepTrack know if anyone was overlooked and left off this list.

(Posted Jam. 3, 2012)
Wednesday's winter track meet for Greater Neuse River 4A Conference schools at Southeast Raleigh has been cancelled.
(Source: http://twitter.com/#!/search?q=%23GNRC

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Over the New Year's weekend Track & Field News released their 2011 World and U.S. Rankings, and eight former North Carolina high school stars appear on the top-10 lists.  (The number on the 2010 Rankings was also 8.)

Bobby Mack (North Forsyth HS '03 - NC State) was #10 in the 10,000 meters.
Brent LaRue (East Forsyth HS '05 - Wake Forest) was #10 in the 400 meter Hurdles.
Ronnie Ash (Knightdale HS '07 - Bethune-Cookman/Oklahoma) was #9 in the 110 meter High Hurdles.
Latoya James (Burlington Cummings HS '07 - UNC) was #9 in the 400 meter Hurdles.
Travis Padgett (Crest HS '05 - Clemson) was #8 in the 100 meters.
Johnny Dutch (Clayton HS '07 - South Carolina) was #6 in the 400 Hurdles.
Alphonso Jordan (Huntersville Hopewell HS '06 - Georgia Tech) was #5 in the Triple Jump.
Jesse Williams (Raleigh Broughton HS '02 - NCSU/Southern Cal) was ranked #1 in the world in the High Jump, one position higher than he was for 2010. Williams was 3rd in the voting for T&FN's 2011 US Men's Athlete of the Year.

Incidently the most startling ranking was in the Men's Marathon where Kenyan men took all of the top nine spots. Ethiopia's top marathoner was ranked #10.

(Source: Track and Field News eTrack Newsletter, Vol. 10, No. 61, December 31, 2011.)

2012 should be an interesting year with the US Olympic Marathon Trials on the 14th in Houston, The US Olympic Trials June 22 - July 1 in Eugene, Oregon, with the London Olympics July 27 - August 12. (Track and Field August 3-12.)

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Several of the top young U.S. javelin throwers were in North Carolina last week for a special training and learning camp. The effort was spearheaded by the NSSF.   Story at DyeStat.com