| Viking Track Club Home |
| Taco Bell Track Classic Home |
Shaw’s Shakedown 2008
Key Athletes and Events to Watch
by Kevin Shaw
Bring out the eraser, time to redo the record book. The 2007 version of the Taco Bell Track Classis was one of those years. Eight! I repeat! Eight new meet records were set, all of them on the girls side. And these were not everyday meet records. Names like Shana Cox, NCAA All-American, Nicole Gamble, NCAA Champion and Olympian from Sumter SC, were two of the meet’s former stars to lose a spot on the record board. Brittany Long of Therrell HS (GA) was involved in rewriting 4 of them, and don’t forget, you can only compete in four events. The funny thing is, her team only ended up tied for 2nd with Summerville HS (SC). Harding University dropped down I-77, sprinted, threw, jumped, hurdled and relayed their way out the gate out with the championship trophy. On the boy’s side, Beaufort HS (SC) was a big surprise winner. A lot of SC coaches were shaking their heads and reassessing their own State Meet chances after their stunning win. They edged out West Charlotte HS (NC) and East Forsyth HS (NC). West Charlotte was led by Trenton Guy. Trenton now runs for that Tigger team in upstate South Carolina. Last year on the girl’s side I picked JL Mann HS (SC) to win the team title. They couldn’t pull it off last year, but they are again a favorite to win this year. They have a slight edge over Therrell. The deciding factor in this race might lie with the arms of the JL Mann throwers. On the boys side, New Bern (NC) and Dorman (SC), both defending State Champion teams, appear to be the best two at the meet. There is definitely a chance that a school like Miller Grove (GA) could sneak in there and knock out one of those teams. If you have watched the meet over the years, Georgia teams have had their way with the team title as of late. Don’t be surprised if Miller Grove ends up on the podium at the end of the night.
On the individual side, there are almost too many stars to mention. Maybe we should add some red carpet to the awards area. Brittany Long returns to try and set 4 new meet records. If she does it again we might have to rename the MVP plaque in her honor. She won the 60 m dash at the Nike Indoor Nationals last month. The next 5 stars are all hurdlers. Jackie Coward of Knoxville West HS (TN) is the National Record holder in the 60 m hurdles. She also holds the Junior and Senior class records. The Freshman and Sophomore class records are held by Jasmine Stowers of Pendleton HS (SC). Add to the mix Ryann Krais of Methacton HS (PA). Ryann is a 3 time National Champion in the Indoor Pentathlon. Ryann came to the meet last year and ran 59.34 for the 400 m hurdles. Two weeks after her inspiring run at The Classic, Ryan ran 58.93 for the victory to stun the Jamaicans at the storied Penn Relays. The girls hurdles are perhaps the most talented field we have ever had in any event. If you don’t believe me, stroll on over to Crump’s Corner. Don’t think Coach Crumpler is just another throws coach, he is a walking encyclopedia of South Carolina high school track and field. Williams Wynne of McEachern (GA) won the World Youth title in the 400 m hurdles. He also set the World Youth record. Imagine being a high school junior and getting to say to your buddies, “Hey, I am the World Champion”. On top of that, he brought home a silver medal in the 110 m hurdles. Briana Nelson, JL Mann (SC) won the 400 m at Nike Indoor nationals. Briana is a threat to break two time Olympic Gold Medalist, Monique Hennagan’s (Spring Valley) State Record. Another champion of the boy’s side is Spencer Adams of Butler HS (NC). He 3 stepped his way to a National Title at The Armory this winter. Second to Spencer was William Wynne of McEachern HS (GA). Both of these guys are entered in a time that equals the oldest meet record on the books, Norman Green’s 13.80 from 1991. Fuqwaun Green of New Bern HS (NC) took the 200 title at the Nike Indoor Nationals. Fuqwaun, the Hendrix twins and a few other Bears from the North Carolina coast brought home Nationals Titles in the 4 X 800 m relay, 1600 m Spring Medley and were runners up in the 4 X 200 m and 4 X 400 m relays. Other regional stars include Aslynn Halvorson of Butler HS. Aslynn is picking up right were SP/Disc record holder Kamorean Hayes left off. Dylan Ferris is the two time defending Champion in both the 800 m and 1 mile run. I have to believe that Dylan has the 800 m record firmly in his sites. Chalonda Goodman of Newnan HS (GA) went to The Armory this winter and brought home a couple of medals in the sprints. She has already run faster than the current 100 m meet record in an early season meet in Georgia. She also won a silver medal at the World Youth Games in the 200 m run. In the distance races, Luke Lovelace, Chapin HS (SC) and Ryan Hill, Hickory HS (NC) are both Footlocker Cross Country National Qualifiers.
The 2008 edition of the Taco Bell Track & Field Classic has over 2000 athletes from 135 schools representing 9 states. There should be outstanding action all over the track, and field. Sit back, relax and enjoy the day. But you better keep your cameras charged and ready, because within those hundreds of pictures you are going to take, our country’s future Olympians are competing.
Boys Sprints
The short sprints are led by National Champion, Fuqwaun Greene. Don’t think he is going to have a walk in the park though. Marcus Rowland of Dorman (SC) also has his eyes set on the prize. Marcus in an extremely talented senior who will be a finalist in every race he runs this year. Kenneth Gilstrap of Miller Grove (GA) and Rachaunn Ruffin of Spring Valley will be there to make sure Fuqwaun and Marcus have no chance of easing up at the line. Someone from this group has a great chance to take down Troy Williamson’s meet record (10.35). Troy is now in the NFL. The long sprint is led by Amechi Morton of Riverwood (GA) and Stephen Hill of Miller Grove. Stephen and Andrew will help determine which team takes home the bigger trophy.
Girls Sprints
Brittney Long set four meet records last year. Could she possibly do it again? She is a GA state champ and a top returner nationally in the 100 m and 200 m sprints. Most of her competition will come from fellow Peach State Star Chalonda Goodman of Newnan. I am sure these two girls know each other quite well. Great local competition always made my athletes better. Hopefully these two young ladies can push each other to records that will be on the books for the next 10 years. The 400 m is led by JL Mann star Brianna Nelson. This is another event that will go a long way in determining the team championship. Therrell has Jawanda King in the race. She will make sure that Brianna gets pushed the whole way.
Boys Distance
Dylan Ferris of East Forsyth HS (NC) has won the 800 and 1 mile for two consecutive years at The Classic. I have to believe he has his sights set on the 800 meet record this year. Anthony Hendrix of New Bern should be the closest to Dylan. These two guys have already raced each other a few times this year. In the 1 mile, Dylan appears to be in a world of his own. The 3200 should be an up tempo race where the guys hammer for all 8 laps. Luke Lovelace and Ryan Hill should set a hard early pace. Luke has already run a few fast times this spring. Add in the likes of Matt Sonnenfelt from Knoxville West (TN), Patrick Campbell of Mooresville (NC) and Dakota Peachee of West Johnston (NC) and this shapes up to be a killer race.
Girls Distance
The girl’s 800 has 7 who can go sub 2:20. My gut tells me that Sierra Henderson of Ridge View (SC) has a strong shot at taking the title. She has one heck of a finishing kick. The mile might be the best girl’s race of the day. Seven girls in the race have already run sub 5:10 this season. The front runners will probably by Amanda Perkins of Spruce Creek (FL) and Mary Kate Dubard of Northwestern (SC). Mary Kate made a big jump this season. That old football coach up in Rock Hill certainly has figured out what to do with some skinny little distance runners the past few years. Mary Kate should also be in the mix for the 3200.
Boys Throws
Jake Deaton of Mooresville (NC) is the top seed in both throws. He looks to be a clear shot for double gold this weekend. In the shot look for him to be pushed by Regis Bittle of Polk County (NC) and High Country thrower Matt Salzano of Watauga (NC). Rumor has it that Matt has been setting PR’s all season. And I should know, since I now coach on the mountain and get to see Matt throw.
Girls Throws
Aslynn Halvorson of Butler (NC) finally gets to step out of Kamorean Hayes shadow. And she is doing it in style. She has two years to break both of her meet records. The good news is that five girls have thrown over 40 feet, so the competition will be tough. Caitlin Jordan of Union Grove (GA) and Britney Waller of JL Mann (SC) will look to spoil Aslynn’s break out party.
Boys Jumps
Stephen Hill of Miller Grove looks to help his team’s chances by picking up points in the long jump. He might be the first 24 footer we have had in a while. Hot on his heels will be New Bern’s Mike Price. Again, the team battle this year is going to be decided all over the track and field. David Wilson of George Washington (VA) will probably be a one man show in the triple jump. Ethan Nixon of Brookville (VA) is back to defend his high jump title. He was a little bit of a surprise winner last year based on the entry seeds. He is not number one ranked again this year, but I am willing to bet he will jump the guys ranked in front of him.
Girls Jumps
Ranae Nelson of Harding University (NC) is back and entered at 19 feet. She is not the only one though, Pedro Adenike of Elizabeth Seton (MD) is also a 19 footer. Pedro and her teammates could sneak up on a few teams and take home a trophy in their first year at The Classic. They should both leap over the meet record if the crowd can get behind them. Fort Dorchester (SC) has become a hotbed of triple jumping the past few years. I don’t know what they are feeding those kids, but I want some. Searra Jones easily holds up the tradition they have started. In the high jump, Rachel Dupree of Mays (GA) and Emily Smith of Northwestern(SC) will be joined by teammates Betsy Dempsey and Ryann Krais of Methacton (PA). It might take 5’ 8 clean to win. The girl’s pole vault is on the up swing this year. Emma Dejarnette of Atlee (VA) and Allie Nicosia of South Aiken (SC) are both twelve footers. Add in four other girls who have gone eleven feet, this event quickly becomes one to watch.
Boys Hurdles
Spencer Adams and William Wynne are going to have two epic battles. If you are not sure who they are, reread the intro, I gloated on them a bit up there. Right behind Spencer and William in the 400 hurdles will be South Carolina’s number one man, Marcus Pope of Andrews HS. Jeremy Burton’s meet record might be broken by three guys.
Girls Hurdles
Jackie Coward, Ryann Krais and Jasmine Stowers are three of the top names in the sport right now. That makes the girls hurdle events my bet for the best races of the day. Jackie and Ryann both run times now that will make an immediate impact on the NCAA level next year.
Boys Relays
New Bern, two National Titles and two silvers at NIN. That is really hard to beat. The thing New Bern doesn’t know is that when it comes to relays, the state of Georgia takes a back seat to nobody. In the two shorter relays, look out for McEachern, Miller Grove, Douglass and Stephenson. I could go on forever when listing good relay schools from Georgia. South Carolina will be held down by Dorman and Marcus Rowland on the back stretch. Knightdale is another North Carolina school that will help New Bern represent.
Girls Relays
Therrell
Do I really need to say any more?