Princeton ends Rosewood's 2-year reign

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on April 25, 2013 1:47 PM

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PRINCETON -- A pessimist?

Or a sandbagger?

Princeton High men's track coach Mark McLamb has taken on either role at times this season. But he was humble in victory Wednesday afternoon.

The Bulldogs emerged victorious in six events and captured the Carolina 1-A Conference men's track and field team championship on its home turf Wednesday afternoon. Princeton compiled 142 points and ended Rosewood's two-year reign as league champion.

The Eagles, who won three events, amassed 124 points. Goldsboro ended up third with 87 points, followed by Spring Creek (85), Ayden-Grifton (74) and North Duplin (25).

Meanwhile, the Rosewood girls turned in a dominating performance on the Fred Bartholomew Jr. Athletic Complex track. The Eagles won nine events, including three relays, and successfully defended their team crown with a decisive 169-115 triumph over runner-up Goldsboro.

Ayden-Grifton took third with 108 points, followed by Princeton (89), North Duplin (34) and Spring Creek (19).

McLamb had his doubts about the outcome, commenting throughout the afternoon that field events could be his team's Achilles heel.

"I've always been known as being either pessimistic or a sandbagger, and today I think I was just pessimistic," smiled McLamb. "I'd rather underestimate things and make my kids feel like they have to really work hard.

"I don't want to come into a situation feeling like 'hey, we've got this thing in the bag'. I want them to always have to fight and claw for it."

Sophomore Johnny Frasier secured titles in the 100- and 200-meter dashes. Quinn Dougherty topped the competition in the 3,200-meter run and twin brother, Lane, won the pole vault.

Kam McDougald posted the best leap in the long jump and ran the anchor leg on the meet-winning 400-meter relay. He was joined by Frasier, Cody Garner and Phillip Hare.

Princeton scored in 11 events, including a 1-2-3 finish in the pole vault.

"The pole vault helped us," McLamb said. "I guess we got enough, but I really can't wait to go back and look the results to see how it really happened. I am really surprised."

Rosewood's individual champions were Marquail Almontaser (110 hurdles) and Jyonte Raynor (high jump). The Eagles' foursome of Zack Barnes, Josh Davis, Dalton Farmer and Brendan Trinidad won the 3,200 relay.

Goldsboro received individual victories from Christian Martens (400), Victor Prezbinbowski (1,600 run) and Rasheid Malette (300 hurdles). Martens ran a leg on the Cougars' meet-winning 1,600 relay that included Keyshawn Jenkins, Jaleel Cook and Antonio Futrelle.

Spring Creek's conference champions were Gage Abbott (800), Carlos Osorio (shot put) and Martavious Brigham (discus).

Alysse Atwell won the 300 hurdles and triple jump for Rosewood's girls, who collected their sixth conference championship overall since 1999. Teammates Lexi Mercer (high jump), Crystal Allen (400), Kasey Elliott (1,600), Brynna Lee (pole vault) and Anna Ingram (shot put) each won an individual crown.

The Eagles won the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 relays.

Goldsboro's Nickie Tyler edged Ayden-Grifton's Jadlynne Suggs by one inch to win the discus championship. Teammate Nicole Mehlaff captured the 800 and 1,600 runs. Kimberley Martin was the 200 champion.

The Cougars took the 400 relay.