NCHSAA 1A/3A track: former Harding star Akala Garrett shines, plus area champions
.jpeg "Harding High track star Akala Garrett")
Former Harding star Akala Garrett won four events and set new meet records in each one, putting up a memorable performance at the NCHSAA 1A state championships at N.C. A&T.
Union Academy won the boys state championship by 3.5 points over Swain County. Union Academy’s Ezra Martin won the long jump and Evan Pardue won the 400-meters and 200-meters.
The star of the day was Garrett, who led Albemarle to a second place finish behind Swain County in the girls meet. She set new meet recors in the 100-hurdles (13.52), 200-meter dash (24.25) and was part of the 1,600-meter relay team, which also set a new meet record (3:57.16). Garrett also ran a time of 40.26 in the 300-hurdles, a new meet record and the fastest time in the nation this year.
OBSERVER-AREA BOYS WINNERS
▪ Ezra Martin, Union Academy (Long lump, 22-9.75)
▪ Evan Pardue, Union Academy (400-meters, 48.86; 200-meters, 21.84)
▪ Blake Nicholson, Christ The King (3,200-meters, 9:27.44)
OBSERVER-AREA GIRLS WINNERS
▪ Mountain Island Charter girls 800-meter realy (1:45.03)
▪ Mountain Island Charter girls 400 relay (50.03)
3A Boys, Girls Meets
Franklin won the 3A boys team title despite not having an individual winner. North Lincoln finished fourth.
Greensboro Dudley won the 3A girls championship. Dudley, like Franklin, didn’t produce an individual winner.
OBSERVER-AREA BOYS WINNERS
▪ Liam Sutton, North. Lincoln (300-hurdles, 38.75)
▪ Sincere Moss, Ashbrook (200-meters, 21.59)
▪ Eric Paraci, Parkwood (pole vault, 10-0)
OBSERVER-AREA GIRLS WINNERS
▪ Alexis Willis, Stuart Cramer (triple jump, 37-10)
▪ Lily Houston, Northwest Cabarrus (pole vault, 11-6)
▪ Camryn Massey, Ashbrook (discus, 148-2, new meet record)
▪ Janiya Johnson, Statesvile (100 meters, 11.70; 200, 24.18)
▪ Statesville 400 relay (47.21), 800 relay (1:41.57)
This story was originally published May 19, 2023 at 11:55 PM.
