The men’s track and field team sent a number of athletes to the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) 4A state championship meet on May 17, with senior James Coleman securing the individual title in the 110-meter hurdles.
Coleman, who broke several school records in the earlier indoor track season, placed highly in several events at the Greensboro meet. After taking the 110-meter hurdle title with a time of 14.03, he placed second in the 300-meter hurdles (36.85) and 12th in the 200-meter dash with a time of 22.13.
“It felt amazing to get first place [in the 110 meter hurdles],” Coleman said. “My performance at the [state] championship was a great finish to my high school career.”
Senior Declan Harden placed 12th in the 1600-meter run with a time of 4:22.38, just a few seconds shy of his personal record, which he set on April 20 at the Apex Lions’ Relay Meet with a time of 4:18.59.
“I’m quite proud of my performance this season,” Harden said. “I think the record in the 1600 meters is one of my better accomplishments throughout my time with the team, and my placement in [the state championships] is a good way to end my senior year.”
Other notable season bests for individual runners include a 9:50.82 3200-meter run by senior Jack Berreth on April 25 at a dual meet against East Chapel Hill High School, as well as a 50.35 400-meter run by senior Jovan Dewitt on April 30 at the DC-VI conference meet in Durham.
Senior Mitchell Abernethy, who participated in the 1600-meter and 800-meter runs, is “very proud” of the team’s performance in the season.
“The overall season went quite well,” Abernethy said. “I am proud of everyone and to be part of the team.”
Coach Dylan Wood is optimistic about the future despite the large number of graduating athletes.
“We have a strong young team that I’m sure will step right up next year,” Wood said. “There’s a noticeable number of seniors on the team, but I’m not worried about next year because I know the team will rise to the occasion.”
