OUTDOOR TRACK: Warriors host 1st meet in nearly a decade

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on April 28, 2017 9:57 AM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

Friends received party invitations through social media -- mainly Snapchat and Instagram -- during the early part of the week on the Eastern Wayne campus.

Once they arrived, there were no party favors.

Instead, the party-goers watched the Warriors perform on their new seven-lane rubber track on Thursday afternoon. It was EW's first home outdoor meet in nearly a decade.

"It's just a wonderful feeling have a home meet and also being able to host some of our county (schools)," Warriors coach Leander Oates during the boys' 4x8 relay.

"Social media...a blast. The kids were excited and happy that they're able to run in front of their friends and family, and not have to compete away from home."

But the three-team affair that also involved Charles B. Aycock and Southern Wayne wasn't about who emerged victorious in each individual event. Team scores weren't a priority, either.

Instead, one week remains in the regular season.

Runners and jumpers are biding for regional qualification.

"I was speaking to one of the coaches earlier," Oates said. "We've pretty much been going back and forth with our times (during meets). Looking at what the rest of the east region has, we're pretty competitive.

"I think we have definitely got some good individuals and relays that will be competitive (on the regional level)."

Southern Wayne started the celebration with a sweep in the 4x8 relay. The foursome of Arineda Morales, Elvia Morales, Sydney Corbett and Elizabeth Lopez captured the girls' race in 12 minutes, 2 seconds.

The Saints' 'A' team of Austin Taylor, Simeion Wilder, Jasavion Powell and Robert Castillo posted a first-place time of 9:22. They ran against their 'B' team, the Warriors and Golden Falcons.

CBA junior Arlanda Faulkner claimed the 100-meter hurdles with a school-record time of 16.53 seconds. The three-sport athlete returned later in the day to claim the 300 hurdles.

Bre'onna Bryant shared first in the 200-meter dash (26.5 seconds) and punched her ticket to the east 3-A regional, which has been moved to Swansboro -- according to Oates.

Sarah Gregory won the 800- and 1,600-meter runs. Regional qualifier Cyerra Carter claimed the long and triple jump.

EW took the team portion.

On the men's side, regional qualifer Kamarion Graham topped the competition in the 100 dash, while distance specialist Deshawn Owens took the one-mile (1,600 meter) run.

CBA emerged victorious in the meet-ending 4x4 relay, and claimed runner-up honors in the 4x1 and 4x2 relays.