Wayne County Track & Field Championships -- EW boys retain team crown

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on April 16, 2013 1:47 PM

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Connor Jones didn't anticipate a good meet.

The Wayne Christian junior felt a little gassed after running the 3,200-meter relay. But Jones tapped into his reserves during the 2013 Wayne County Track and Field Championships on Monday afternoon.

And he walked away a champion in three events -- the 800-, 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs.

"(The day) actually turned out pretty productive," grinned Jones, who won the 10K portion of the Greater Goldsboro Run.

It did for Eastern Wayne, too.

The Warriors successfully defended their team championship with a 171-136 triumph over Charles B. Aycock. Malik Richard (high jump), Romello Hamilton (100 dash) and Lavoris Vick (200 dash) each earned an individual crown. The foursome of Deshawn Boudy, Vick, Romello and Robert Gonzalez claimed the meet-ending 1,600-meter relay in 3 minutes, 41.69 seconds.

Eastern Wayne used its depth to collect 80-plus points in the field events.

"From the 800 (run) down, we've got three guys in each event who we put out there and we feel like they can compete for points," EW head coach Bubba Williams said. "(The) field events are getting better each year and we just have to find some distance guys. Once we do that, we can put it all together."

Jones made the distance events look easy.

A two-time independent schools state champion, he stayed within striking distance of Aycock's Marvin Alexander during the 1,600. Alexander kept at least a one-stride advantage for most of the four-lap race until the final 300-plus meters.

Jones exploded and sprinted to the finish.

"I just tried to stay with him and hope that (last) kick would get it," said Jones, who was the county champion in the 1,600 and 3,200 as a freshman. "I wasn't trying to go out and do anything spectacular, just get the 'W'."

The same strategy surfaced in the 3,200.

"(Rosewood's) Dalton (Farmer) was setting a really good pace and I was hoping for my kick at the end to pull me through," Jones said. "I think I'm a sprinter at heart. For years, I've built up my lung capacity so I can do the long distances.

"I guess you can say I'm gifted with a sprint at the end."

Farmer faded to fourth behind runner-up Jacob Seate of Goldsboro and third-place finisher Payton Cline of Aycock.

Cline's Golden Falcon teammates dominated the relays.

The quartet of Josh Bartz, Khaleil Owens, Alex Rogers and Jerry Huffman wrapped up the 3,200 championship in 9:05.4. The foursome of Devin Graves, Taz Groves, Marcus Meadows and Austin Snowden secured victories in the 800 and 400 relays.

Graves won the 110 and 300 hurdles.

Rosewood placed third overall in the eight-team meet with 113.5 points. Marquail Almontaser (triple jump), Brendan Trinidad (pole vault) and Josh Davis (400) each won an individual title.

Goldsboro ended up fourth with 83.5 points, followed by Spring Creek with 69 points. The Gators' Xavier Aycock (long jump), Martevius Brigham (discus) and Carlos Garcia-Osorio (shot put) each emerged victorious in their respective events.

Southern Wayne (46), Wayne Christian (40) and Wayne Country Day (10) completed the team scoring.