The Observer’s 2023 high school boys track preview
What to expect in high school boys track this spring.
Teams to watch
Cuthbertson: The defending 4A state, outdoor champions have plenty of experience and talent to go for a repeat with senior University of North Carolina commit Killian Fahy — the defending 4A state outdoor champion in the 400-meter dash. Among them? Classmate and fellow Tar Heels’ commit Reece Morgan, the defending Southern Carolinas’ conference champion in the 100 and 200-meter dashes and junior sprinter Keenan Jackson back to lead the way.
Mallard Creek: The Mavericks boast some of the top sprinters in the state in sophomore Christian Dixon, the N.C. 4A indoor state indoor runner-up in the 55- and 300-meter dashes. Also back are junior Benjamin Black and senior Jaiden Lee. Add in promising freshmen Nyan Brown and Mason Kelly and Mallard Creek should be a factor in the 400-meter relay and 800-meter relay in the postseason. The Mavericks’ sprinters should help the team be a 4A state contender.
Providence Day: Coach Ben Hovis and the Chargers are running to win their ninth NCISAA Division I state title in the last 10 years. Providence Day the senior leaders to be championship team again with multiple state contenders, led by seniors Chris Peal (100- and 200-meter dashes, long jump, University of Georgia football commit), Landon Roemer (1600- and 3200-meter run, Tulane University commit) and Brunner Williams (100- and 200-meter dashes, Northeastern University commit).
Athletes to watch
Xavier Branker, Ardrey Kell: The Knights’ senior looks to defend 4A state championships in both the 110- and 300-meter hurdles this spring. Branker also carries momentum from his recent, 55-meter hurdles, 4A state indoors state title.
Kenneth Byrd, East Burke: The Cavaliers’ junior is one of the most versatile athletes in the state as he won the 2A state, outdoor title in the pole vault as a sophomore, also finishing as state runner-up in high jump, sixth in the 110-meter hurdles, 10th in the long jump. This winter, he won the 1A/2A state title in both the 55-meter hurdles and high jump, and will look to add to his championship resume outdoors.
Dre Davis, Albemarle: The Bulldogs’ sophomore was no time establishing himself amongst the top sprinters in class 1A, and got even faster this winter, when he finished fourth in the 55-meter dash and third in the 300-meter dash at the 1A/2A state indoor championships.
R.J. Gajan, Marvin Ridge: The Mavericks’ senior is coming off his first individual state championship, winning the 1,000-meter, 4A indoor state title and he was 4A state runner-up in the 500-meter run. Gajan will be a state contender in the middle distances this spring.
Anthony Hawkins, Hickory Grove: The Lions’ sophomore three-sport standout (basketball, all-state running back football, track) is the defending Metrolina Athletic conference (MAC) champion in the discus and shot put where he will be a NCISAA state championship contender.
Reid Herring, Providence: The Panthers’ senior made a big jump with a personal-best 6-4 to finish fifth at the 4A state indoor championships. He finished third in the state in the shot put. This spring, Herring looks to prove he contend for state titles in both the high jump and shot put outdoors.
Kyron Jones, Charlotte Christian: The University of Georgia football commit, a Knights’ senior, is running to defend his NCISAA Division I state titles in both the 100 and 200-meter dashes, where one of his biggest challengers could be classmate Armonte Ferguson, who misses last year’s state meet with injury.
Jacob Laney, Porter Ridge: The Pirates’ senior, a University of North Carolina commit, has a lot of momentum after winning the 4A indoor state titles in both the 1,600 and 3,200-meter runs. He’s also the defending,4A state outdoor champion in the 3,200 and was 4A state runner-up in the 1,600.
Spencer Mermans, Charlotte Country Day: The Buccaneers’ senior, a Yale University football commit, will try to defend NCISAA Division I outdoor state titles in both the discus and shot put.
A.J. Painter, Charlotte Catholic: The Cougars’ senior, a Clemson University walk-on, looks to contend for conference, regional and state bragging rights in the 1,600 and 3,200.
Jerell Reddick, Concord: The Spiders’ senior established himself as a state contender in the high jump last season (third at 3A state championships) after finishing as 3A Midwest Regional runner-up and South Piedmont conference (SPC) champion and is looking for this spring.
Caden Townshend, Weddington: The University of Mississippi commit, a Warriors’ senior, has proven he is among the best distance runners in the state, and he will look to defend his 4A state championship outdoors in the 1,600. Townshend was also 4A state runner-up in cross country this fall and 4A state indoor runner-up in the 1,600-meter this winter.
Ayden Thompson, Bunker Hill: The Bears’ senior sprinter looks to be a 2A state contender after finishing fourth at the state outdoor championships last year. Thompson has momentum after finishing as 1A/2A state indoor runner-up in the 55-meter hurdles this winter.
Emanuel Williams, Central Academy: The Cougars’ senior is one of the top middle distance runners in the state. He 3A state runner-up in the 800 meters outdoors last season. Now he is looking to contend in the high jump, where he is coming off a third-place finish at the 3A state indoor championships.
Notes
▪ Championship sweep: Last year, the Cuthbertson boys and girls track teams became the first program in state history to sweep the 4A state indoor and outdoor meets as state champions. After the Cavaliers won the 4A state indoor championships earlier this month, they are look to repeat the feat outdoors, again.
▪ Conference crowns: Coach Brett Honeycutt looks to lead the Metrolina Christian boys track team to its ninth MAC conference title in the last decade. Senior Zach Potts, a Lees McRae signee, Davis Leatherwood and junior Daniel Schinemann will lead the way for the Warriors. They are returning all-state performers.
▪ Finally home: The Concord track team with host its first home track meet since 2008. Coach Shayne Milligan and company finally have a new track, where they will start competition March 1.
This story was originally published February 24, 2023 at 6:30 AM with the headline "The Observer’s 2023 high school boys track preview."