Charlotte-area boys track preview: Top players, teams to watch this season
The Observer’s preview of spring sports teams and athletes continues today with boys’ track.
Boys’ Track Teams to Watch
Ardrey Kell: The Knights return a veteran squad that boasts contenders in all distances including seniors Patrick Gibbons (N.C. State commit, 1600, 3200-meter runs), Michael Koepke (sprints), Jamier Moten (defending 400-meter state, outdoor champion) and junior Xavier Branker (hurdles, sprints).
Cuthbertson: The Cavaliers return three athletes from the defending 3A state championship team, including juniors Killian Fahy, Reece Morgan and senior Trevor Tate.
Now in class 4A, Fahy and Morgan, will look to help the 4 X 100 and 4 X 400-meter relays contend, while Tate hopes to contend in the discus (third in the 3A state meet last year) and shot put.
Mountain Island Charter: The defending 1A state champions return eight seniors, led by Trae Nickelson, who won a state title in 200-meter dash, was runner-up in the 100, and helped the 4 X 100 and 4 X 200-meter relays to state titles.
Mountain Island Charter, the first Gaston County team to win a public school state championship, is loaded with senior experience to repeat, including Jaryd Broome, Jaylen Brown, Jaylin Milton-Hall, Jeremiah Moses, Trevin Moyer, Caleb Patton and Reggie Taylor.
Weddington: The reigning 3A state runner-up has some key pieces in seniors Isaac Clark (1600 and 3200-meter runs), Cameron Wright (UNC Wilmington commit, 55-meter hurdles, 110-meter hurdles) and junior Caden Townshend (1600, 3200-meter runs). Weddington moves up to 4A this season.
Boys’ Track Athletes to Watch
Blaise Atkinson, Lake Norman Charter: The University of North Carolina commit, a senior, won four individual 2A state championships in the 100 and 200-meter dash and the 110- and 300-meter hurdles last year.
Denmar Chambers, Sun Valley: The N.C. state commit was one of two athletes to win two individual 3A state titles last year, winning the discus (158-7) and shot put (51-11).
Chambers also runs a non-profit company that serves meals to the less fortunate during the holidays.
Armonte Ferguson, Charlotte Christian: The Mountain Island Charter transfer brings some speed to the Knights’ lineup as the defending NCHSAA 1A state champion in the 100-meter dash.
Stephen Fernetti, North Lincoln: The Knights’ junior is coming off his first individual state title, winning the 3A 3,200-meter run indoors earlier this month.
Fernetti looks to carry that momentum outdoors where he leads the defending 2A state champions into class 3A competition.
Graham Gutknecht, South Mecklenburg: The Sabres’ senior, a Charlotte 49ers’ signee, is back to defend his 4A state title in the pole vault, where he vaulted a personal-best 14-feet last season.
David Lampkin, Mallard Creek: The Mavericks’ senior proved he is one of the fastest runners in the state, winning the 4A state outdoor title in the 100-meter dash, while finishing as runner-up in the 200-meter dash. Plus he helped the 4 X 200-meter relay to a state crown last spring.
Jacob Laney, Porter Ridge: The Pirates’ junior has had a banner year with state runner-up finish at the 4A cross country championships, a pair of indoor distance state titles and now looks to add to his resume outdoors.
Aiden Ray, Providence Day: The Chargers’ freshman had a successful summer, winning the 200-meter hurdles, while finishing third-place in the 110-meter hurdles at the USA Track and Field Junior Olympics.
Ray should have an immediate impact in the defending NCISAA Division I state champions lineup in hurdles, sprints, the long and triple jumps.
Ethan Snyder, Marvin Ridge: An Auburn commit, this Mavericks senior has been close to the title, finishing third in the 4A state cross-country meet, third in the 3200-meter run at the indoor state championships and fifth in the state in the 1600-meter run indoors.
Snyder looks to finish his high school off with a state title.
Track Notes
Shelby Speedsters: The Shelby boys’ track team featured two unique quartets of runners (4 X 100 and 4 X 200-meter relays) last year that both finished as 2A state runner-ups.
The 4 X 100-meter relay featured three freshmen, including Izay Bridges, Kamari House and Bricen Kee as well as then-junior Marquis Adams.
The 4 X 200-meter relay had two freshmen in Bridges and Houze and two juniors in Adams and Jaylen Petty.
Now, a year older, both relays are back to make a run for a 2A state title.
Three-Sport Star: Metrolina Christian senior Bryce McFerson’s primary sport is football, where the kicker/punter has signed to play for Notre Dame. But, McFerson, also won his second straight NCISAA state title in wrestling at 182 pounds, Feb. 19, and six-time, All-Metrolina Athletic Conference (MAC) performer for the Warriors’ track team in the long jump, triple jump and various relays.
This story was originally published February 23, 2022 at 6:00 AM.