PREP TRACK: 1A Mideast Regional -- Rosewood boys win another 4x4 relay title

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on May 15, 2017 9:59 AM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

ROCKY POINT -- Despite overcast skies, a little mist and damp temperatures, the show went on during the N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 1-A Mideast Regional contested Saturday morning at Heide Trask HS.

And -- to no one's surprise -- athletes from area schools Rosewood, Spring Creek, Princeton and North Duplin extended their respective outdoor track and field careers at least one more week.

Six emerged as regional champions.

Two-time reigning state champion Rosewood won the 4x4 boys' relay in 3 minutes, 35.45 seconds. The Eagles' Miyah McCall won the 400-meter dash (1:03.26), while Philip Kostelecky claimed the wheelchair discus (12 feet 9 inches) and shot put (8-2) titles.

"I'm very proud of both of our men's and women's teams," RHS head coach Robert Britt said. "We had some very good performances against the best in our region."

Princeton sprinter Shamonda Bell captured three regional championships -- the 100- and 200-meter dashs and 100-meter hurdles.

"She looked strong and should be one of the favorites next week in all three three events," Bulldogs head coach Mark McLamb said. "I am really proud of the kids. We had 12 medal winners, and a total of 13 state-qualifying performances in 10 different events."

Gracie Whitley set a school record in the pole vault (8-0), while Luke Brush won the boys' portion of the event with a personal-best height of 12 feet. Teammate Ben Bayles advanced to the regionals with a third-place distance of 9-6.

Also representing the Bulldogs: Darius Avery (discus), Austin Sullivan (two-mile run), Brent Hurst (mile run), Natalie Smith (shot put) and Zoe Byrd (triple jump, 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles).

University of Mount Olive signee Hurst completed his race with a PR of 4:51 -- 12 seconds lower than his previous time which had him seeded eighth overall in the event.

Multi-sport athlete Jamal Davis continued his historical season with runner-up finishes in the 200 dash (23.36 seconds) and long jump (19-5). Davis also competed in the 100 dash and high jump.

Davis is just the second track athlete in SC history to qualify for four different events on the regional level.

"Jamal is a great young man who has worked extremely hard for four years," Gators head coach Aaron Sanders said. "It is very rewarding to watch the success he has experienced in the conference championship and now regional meet."

North Duplin's Terrion Addison secured the regional championship in the long jump.