With 47 all time top 10 performances in 2006, last year’s meet has to be considered one of the deepest meets in the Classic’s 15 year history.
The meet’s top 10 list is better than most any in-season meet in the country. Michael Morrison of Great Bridge HS (Va.) set the lone meet record with a pressure cooked 17 foot vault in a jump off for first place. Bethel HS (Va.) won the girls team title over a strong group from Southwest Dekalb HS (Ga.).
Bethel is back although they did lose National Record Holder Francena McCorory to graduation. Five teams are going to fight it out for the title. Three Virginia schools, Bethel, Menchville, Deep Creek and two warm weather schools, Therrell HS (Ga.) and South Carolina’s own JL Mann. My money is on JL Mann. This is not just some home cooking either, they are one of the top two South Carolina teams I have seen in 10 years. On the boy’s side three-time State Champion Ridge View took home the title. They had a senior heavy team and will have a hard time trying to defend their title. The boy’s title appears to be up for grabs, lots of strong teams but no clear leader.
The individual entries are highlighted by five National Champions. Johnny Dutch is a hurdler from Clayton HS (N.C.), Kamorean Hayes is thrower from Harding University HS (N.C.), Trenton Guy is a sprinter from West Charlotte HS (N.C.), Justin Christian is a sprinter from Morrow HS (Ga.), and Ryann Krais of Methacton (Pa.) who won the pentathlon at NIN. Kamorean set meet records in both throws back in 2005. This year she will throw both of them out of reach. Johnny has a shot at one of the premier meet records, Norman Greene’s 13.80 in the 110 HH, set back in 1991. Johnny was just a little toddler back then, but he is a full grown three stepping National Champion now. Trenton and Justin battled each other at the NCIS at the Armory in March. Trenton edged out Justin is the 200-meter dash and they traded spots in the 60-meters. Jackie Druin of Collins Hill HS (Ga.) should set the pace in the girl’s distance events while defending 800/1 Mile champ Dylan Ferris of East Forsyth HS (N.C.) returns to once again complete a tough double.
The 2007 edition of the Taco Bell Track & Field Classic has 1700 athletes from 112 schools representing 8 states. From the mighty heaves of the throwers to the graceful flight of the high jumpers, there will always be something to help heat up the day. Make sure you put on your SPF 45 because the weather will be great and the competition will be blistering.
Boys Sprints
The sprints are led by two National Champions. Trenton Guy and Justin Christian. They will battle in the 200. Trenton went 21.09 indoors while Justin went 21.15 The X-mans meet record is in grave danger. This could be an event where somebody breaks a meet record and does not win. With the hot weather expected back in time for the meet, these two guys are going to set the place on fire. Look for local favorite Rachaunn Ruffin of Spring Valley to be in the mix and establish himself as one of South Carolina’s top sprinters.
Girls Sprints
Brittney Long of Therrell (Ga.) is a big time player and is the favorite in both short sprints. She is a GA state champ and a top returner nationally in the 100 and 200-meter sprints. Most of her competition will come from fellow Peach State Star Chalonda Goodman of Newnan. The 400 has six girls who have run sub 57 and two have gone sub 56. Led by JL Mann star Brianna Nelson a couple of these gazelles could crash the all time top 10 list in a big way.
Boys Distance
Dylan Ferris of East Forsyth HS (N.C.) ran a great double last year and looks to do it again in the 800 and 1 mile run. Dakota Lowery of West Johnston (N.C.) and Luke Lovelace of Chapin should help Dylan keep the pace fast. Luke is a Footlocker Finalist and will also run the fast section of the 3200 Saturday evening. Luke is the first S.C. male to qualify for Footlocker Finals since legendary Spartanburg Coach, Jim Kilbreth, guided Mark Davis to Nationals in the early 90’s. Look for 4-5 guys to be sub 4:20 in the mile and a whole pack should be under 9:30 in the 3200 m if the track isn’t to hot after the sprinters run.
Girls Distance
Jackie Drouin of Collins Hill (Ga.) is the clear leader in the 1 mile and 3200. She broke the meet record last year in the 1 mile and finished second. Jackie had her Footlocker hopes dashed this fall due to illness. She has a chance to become a double meet record holder if she can get some girls to push her from the gun. Three runners from South Carolina, Kate Borowicz of JL Mann HS, Stephanie Gammon of Daniel HS and Alyssa Kulik of Mauldin HS, have done a great job of filling the shoes of SC legend, Kate Niehaus, and should keep Jackie looking over her shoulder in both races. There has been no drop off of talent in the true Peach State. Add in 12 girls who have run sub 2:20 in the 800 the girls distance events will offer exciting races throughout the day.
Boys Throws
With nine guys over 50 feet, the “big boys” are going to be oozing in testosterone. Quinton Turner of Wando HS is the leader. But one little slip up and the top of the podium might be out of reach. Quinton is also the leader in the discus. He and Erik Gill of Collins Hill HS (Ga.) can both reach 180 feet. Luckily Coach Crump came up with another one of his ingenious ideas to help stop the discs when they skip into the yellow fencing.
Girls Throws
Kamorean Hayes of Harding University (N.C.) broke two meet records in 2005. She is back and should easily smash both of her existing records. It is truly a rarity to get to see a female thrower go over 50 feet and 150 feet. I suspect that whatever she throws will be on the top of the record books for a long time to come. She won’t have it to easy though, Aslynn Halvorson of Butler (N.C.) won the shot last year and was 2nd in the discus as a freshman. Look for local product Shayna Hinton of Spring Valley to also be in the mix for a medal. Coach Crump seems to have her peeking at just the right time.
Boys Jumps
The sand will be flying all over the place, and not just because the wind is blowing. Ten guys have gone over 22 feet this season, making it one of the deepest competitions in years. The triple jump is also very deep. It looks like the guys will have to hop, step and jump 45 feet plus to make the finals. Rashaad Cannon of Highland Springs HS (Va.) and Chad Phillips of Greenwood HS are high on both lists. Put these guys on fast runways with great competition and a 24 foot long and 49 foot triple are not out of the question. The pole vault is led by local product, Matt Shuler of White Knoll HS. A 14 foot clearance on the first attempt might not get you on the award stand. Although all of these guys can vault over it, most aren’t going to get to stand on it.
Girls Jumps
Two girls over 19 feet. Wow!! Shakia Forbes of Bethel HS (Va.) and Ranae Nelson of Harding University (N.C.) should have an epic battle. They should both leap over the meet record if the crowd can get behind them. In the triple five girls have gone over 38 feet. Olympian Nicole Gamble from Sumter HS has owned the meet record since 1994. Rachel Butler of Lee-Davis HS (VA) is within inches of Nicole. Local product Nicole Durig of Blythewood HS will get a chance to jump against some big time comp, it should bring out her best. The high jump is led by Ashley Gatling of Deep Creek HS (Va.). Also in the mix are Kayla Belk of Summerville HS and Emily Smith of Northwestern HS. Although 5 feet 8 might not get you a medal, it gets you a great mark by any standard. Just imagine having the ability to jump over your own head. Actually I can’t imagine it, but obviously these girls can. Allie Nicosia of South Aiken HS is the clear leader in the vault. She was 4th last year and is “shooting” for gold this year. Taylor Cook and Brooke Miller of Watauga HS (N.C.) look to carry on the great tradition started at Watauga by Sallie Garganus. Sallie is now a Gamecock. Go Cocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Boys Hurdles
Johnny Dutch, what a great name, the boy should be in the movies with a name like that. He might not make the movies, but I am sure he has Olympic Rings in his visions. He won the 60 m hurdles at NIN out of the “slow” section. There was nothing slow about it. If he can take down Norman Greene’s meet record he will quickly become a legend. Right behind Johnny are Spencer Adams of Butler (N.C.) and South Carolina’s number one man, Marcus Pope of Andrews HS. With these guys also battling it out over the tortuous 400 IH, a sub 52 clocking is a distinct possibility.
Girls Hurdles
The highs are led by Freshman sensation and National age group Record Holder Jasmine Stowers of Pendleton HS. She broke South Carolina’s long time record last year as an 8th grader. She is truly the future of track and field, and the future is now. Three girls can go under 60 in the 400 hurdles. Ryan Krais of Methacton HS (Pa.) is here prepping for the famed Penn Relays next Weekend. She won the National Championship in the pentathlon at NIN. Look for her to also place highly in the 200 m and high jump. Nicole Saunders of Menchville HS (Va.) is another high stepper who can go with Ryan every step of the way. It should be a tremendous race.
Boys Relays
Miller Grove HS (Ga.), Deep Creek HS (Va.), West Charlotte HS (N.C.) and Bethel HS (Va.) should walk away with a lot of hardware in the short and long relays. Time for some SC schools to step up and show me the money. Fort Mill HS has a great shot in the 4 X 800, but they better look out for a couple of Virginia schools who know how to get – r – done. Friday night under the lights is not just for football fans.
Girls Relays
Therrell girls can flat get after it. They are the list leaders in the 400 and 1600 relays. I love the short relay, and would love to see the record go down. But Coach Baker’s ’96 Sumter squad was something special. Therrell could also claim the 1600 relay record. Relaying to two meet records would put them in an elite class. I am not betting against them. I met Coach Davis and his crew at the Character Games last weekend. Those metro Atlanta coaches know how to get it done, no if’s ands or buts about it. South Carolina will be well represented in the 4 X 800 relay. Summerville HS had a Georgia native transfer in over the summer, Aisha-Maree Frazier. She has taken the Summerville relays to a new level. Great for our state, bad for me.
Editors note: Kevin Shaw is the Spring Valley girls cross country and track and field coach and co-director of the Taco Bell Classic.