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Members of the Jacksonville and White Oak girls trakc and field teams on Saturday.
Submitted Photo
JHS girls win regional title
White Oak girls are second
ROCKY MOUNT - Jacksonville head coach Curt Dowdy saw something really special in his girls team coming into Saturday's 3-A Regionals at Nash Central High.
He was right and now Dowdy can add another Regional title to his resume as Jacksonville blew past the competition with a score of 114 points that included nine championships.
"I feel good about it," he said. "Everybody knew we were team to beat. We are very proud of it. They will be fired up to win the state meet next week."
White Oak finished second with 64 points, followed by Havelock, Rocky Mount and South Central.
"I'm very happy for Jacksonville," said White Oak head coach Chris Mueller. "I'm glad we are representing Onslow County. We are the only team to get all four relay team in state."
Dowdy's girls team was well balanced going into the Regionals, bringing home first place in the field, speed, long distance and relay events.
"We are a pretty good balanced team," Dowdy said. "The kids are doing well. Anytime when you have nine first-place finishes that is good.
"I have coached plenty of teams in the past. We have been good in every event. That's a sign of a good team and, with that, it gives us an advantage (at state)."
Jacksonville's Marcia Higgins came away with first place finishes in the shot put and the discus. Her shot put throw was 34 feet, eight inches and she threw a 114-3½ in the discus.
"Marcia has been a big plus this year," Dowdy said. "She has improved in her confidence. That can put you in front for the state title. We needed someone who can take lead in the field events."
The Cardinals' Manika Gamble has been consistent throughout the season in the 100 and 300 hurdles and she retained that by winning both events.
"Manika was the one who won the 100 and 300 hurdles in 2005," Dowdy said. "She has returned and she's looking good as ever. She's a big player. She has a great attitude."
The Cardinals' Brandy Swann was first in the 400 hurdles with a time of 59.14.
Coming away with the long distance gold was Ryanna Henderson. She was first in the 800-meter race with a time of 2:21 and the 1,600 in 5:26.
"She's by far as one of the hardest workers (on the team)," Dowdy said. "She has the fastest half-mile in the state."
Jacksonville's Kaitlyn Davis was also first in the 3,200 with a time of 11:53. The 1,600 relay team, which consists of Swann, Henderson, Gamble and Irene Lane, was first in 4:06.
White Oak's Rebekah Johnston came away with first place in the pole vault by clearing 9-6.
"Rebekah got her personal best," Mueller said. "For a sophomore to be Regional champion is good."
Jacksonville will be going into Greensboro to defend its state title at North Carolina A&T on Saturday. Dowdy said having his girls already experienced at state can be a big factor.
"That is the one plus that we have," he said. "They are used to state top level. Because of them doing so well that will give them an advantage."
Also qualifying for Jacksonville was Tashawnda Robertson in the long and triple jumps; Grainne O'Grady is in the pole vault; Jasmine Richmond in the 300 hurdles and the 3,200 relay team of Swann, Henderson, Kaitlyn Davis and Nicole Davis.
White Oak won the 800 relay, with Kiara Cruse, Maya Baxter, Alexis Gilliam and Kristal Tucker, in a time of 1:44.8. The 3,200-relay team, which consist of Sara Hart, Stephanie Rose, Rachel Johnston and Aja Segoviano, won in 9:50.
Nash Central boys came away with the Regional title with a score of 74.
Wilson Fike snuck by White Oak for second and Jacksonville was eighth.
Darryl Williams won both 100 in a blistering 10.4 and 200-meter in 22.2 for White Oak.
"He's special," Mueller said. "He hasn't lost this year. He's looking forward to face against those (Winston-Salem) Carver kids. Darryl is a very special athlete."
BOYS
TEAM: Nash Central 74, Wilson Fike 69, White Oak 68, 8th Jacksonville 22.5.
INDIVIDUAL: Shot put: Batchelor (WO) second 49; Discus: Norman (JHS) second 36-10; High jump: Davis (WO) second 6-4; Long jump: Davis (WO) third 20-9; Triple jump: Johnson (JHS) 41-1; 100 meters: Williams (WO) first 10.40; 200 meters: Williams first (WO) 22.20; 400 meters: Holt (WO) third 51.2; 110 hurdles: Johnson (JHS) third 15.2; 1,600 relay: White Oak second (Davis, Johnson, Levester, Holt) 3:27; 800 relay: White Oak first (McKissick, Johnson, Holt, Williams) 1:28.1.
GIRLS
TEAM: Jacksonville 127, White Oak 64, Havelock 56, Rocky Mount 47, South Central 45.
INDIVIDUAL: Shot put: Higgins (JHS) first 34-8; Discus: Higgins first (JHS) 114-3½; Long jump: Kiara Cruse (WO) third 5-0; Long jump: Robertson (JHS) fourth 16-1; Triple jump: Robertson (JHS) second 35-10½; Pole vault: Re. Johnston first (WO) 9-6; O'Grady (JHS) fourth 8-0; 200 meters: Maya Baxter (WO) fourth 26.0; 400 meters: Swann (JHS) first 59.14; 100 hurdles: Gamble (JHS) first 15.0; 300 hurdles: Gamble first (JHS) 45.4, Richmond (JHS) fourth 48.8; 800 meters: Henderson first (JHS) 2:21; Segoviano second (WO) 2:27; 1,600 meters: Henderson (JHS) first 5:26; 3,200 meters: K. Davis (JHS) first 11:53; Ra. Johnston (WO) fourth 12:22; 400 relay: White Oak third (Cruse, Baxter, Gilliam Tucker) 50.3; 800 relay: White Oak first (Cruse, Baxter, Rose, Tucker) 1:44.8; 1,600 relay: Jacksonville first (Swann, Henderson, Lane, Gamble) 4:06; White Oak fourth (Tucker, Baxter, Segoviano, Rose) 4:13; 3,200 relay: White Oak first (Segoviano, Hart, Rose, Ra. Johnston) 9:50, Jacksonville second (Swann, Henderson, K. Davis, N. Davis) 9:55.
