Courtney Warner -- State champ

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on May 18, 2014 12:30 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

GREENSBORO -- A driving rainstorm made the finish line disappear during the 200-meter dash on Friday afternoon.

Courtney Warner never lost sight of it -- or her goal.

The Charles B. Aycock junior emerged as a two-time state champion -- in less than a four-hour period -- during the season-ending N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 3-A track and field championship meet contested at North Carolina A&T State University.

Warner claimed the 100- and 200-meter dash gold medals, making her just the second state champ in CBA track history. Mark Aycock won the 1-A/2-A pole vault crown in 1970.

"Courtney had a glorious day," an excited Golden Falcons head coach Roger Rhodes said by phone late Friday evening. "Being a coach for over 32 years, it is a dream come true to see athletes improve year after year, and achieve the ultimate goal of being the best in the state in their given events."

Just one year ago, Warner placed seventh overall in the same two events. She dedicated herself to the weight room, which included weekend workouts and immediately noticed a difference.

Stronger legs improved endurance.

Plus, she had gained more speed.

"I had more energy (and) saw a big difference in my times," Warner said.

Rhodes noticed the change, too.

Warner helped lead the Golden Falcons to their third consecutive Wayne County Track and Field Championship team crown in early April. She claimed the 100 and 200 dashes, and participated on the winning 800 relay.

But she never lost sight of the big picture and started that journey two weeks later when she earned all-Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference accolades with victories in the 100 and 200. She added gold medals in the same events during the eastern regional meet ran last week at Swansboro.

"Courtney has her sights on a ring," Rhodes said.

Warner and defending state champion Qizeah Jackson of Fayetteville Westover battled in the 100. Each won their respective heat and Warner bested Jackson by .17-tenths of a second at the finish line.

"She was really good, so I had to give like 120 percent," Warner said. "I just had to make sure I pumped my arms and have enough energy for the entire 100 meters. I couldn't stop for anything."

Three hours later, they met again.

Hard rain began to pelt the track as Warner settled into the starting blocks. She said her normal prayer, cleared her mind and shook out what little pressure remained.

The gun sounded.

Less than 25 seconds later, Warner seized her second state title -- a .02-second victory over Jackson.

"I could barely see," laughed Warner. "At the end we were neck-and-neck so I just leaned in really hard. That's where I got her. That one was tough. I really had to work for it.

Warner became the sixth individual, and third mutiple state champion in Aycock history. She joins Aycock, Ngu Tran (wrestling), Charlie Hughes (swimming), Tara Simmons (women's golf) and Devin Hall (1-meter diving) in that category.

Simmons won two titles, while Hall claimed three crowns.

"Confidence is a big thing, believing in myself I could do it," Warner said. "It's surreal. I'm just so happy and excited."