NCHSAA Class 1A state track meet: RHS boys place 2nd as a team

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on May 16, 2015 11:27 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

GREENSBORO -- Armed with iPhones and other devices, Rosewood's athletes stood patiently as parents took pictures on the Irwin Belk Track infield as the sun faded Friday afternoon.

It turned out to be a banner day for the Eagles.

Marquail Al-montaser won the 110-meter state title and placed third in the triple jump during the season-ending N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 1-A track and field state championship meet contested at N.C. A&T State University.

Not to be outdone, the Eagles won the 1,600-meter relay state crown for the second time in program history. Zack Barnes claimed runner-up honors in the 400 dash and Rosewood placed third in the 800-meter relay.

Oh yeah.

The Eagles finished state runner-up in the team competition.

"Unbelievable!" Britt exclaimed. "We had performances today that just wasn't expected. The kids were so focused and determined. I'm so happy for our entire team -- athletes and coaches. There's not another coach in America who could be more proud."

North Stokes defended its team state title with a 60-42 decision over Rosewood, which vaulted into second place after the 1,600 relay. Southside and Research Triangle shared third with 34 points apiece. Raleigh Charter (31) and Hayesville (30) rounded out the top six.

A total of 47 teams scored in the meet.

The Eagles' foursome of Airic Murray, Quan Joyner, Montonio Wheeler and Barnes crossed the finish line in 3 minutes, 29.46 seconds in the 1,600. North Stokes was .20 seconds behind. The group shaved nine seconds off of its meet-winning regional time.

Barnes came within an agonizing .02 seconds of winning the state title in the 400. Albemarle senior Terrace Ellis crossed the line in 49.70, with Barnes second in 49.72.

A total of .90 seconds separated the top three teams in the 800 relay. Rosewood's foursome -- Murray, Joyner, Wheeler and Barnes -- turned in a time of 1:32.30. Southside won in 1:31.40, followed by Tarboro in 1:32.22.

The Eagles had two eighth-place efforts on the day -- Zach Hinnant in the pole vault (10 feet, 6 inches) and Tyree Chavious in the shot put (43-5).