Mallard Creek repeats as NCHSAA 4A state boys’ track champions

Mallard Creek repeated as N.C. 4A boys’ state champions Saturday at N.C. A&T University in Greensboro.

Mallard Creek, which also won the 2015 boys’ title, finished with 71 points, well ahead of Cuthbertson (40), Garner (39) and Durham’s Riverside High (31).

The Mavericks — who won their first NCHSAA 4A indoor championship in February — were powered by wins from Nyan Brown in the 300 hurdles and wins in three of the four relay events.

Individually, Independence’s Maya Love had a big day, winning three girls’ state championships. She won the 100 and 200 meters, and she ran on the state championship 400-meter relay team.

In fact, the Patriots now have the fastest 4A boys’ and girls’ runners in North Carolina.

Independence’s Bryce Lofton won the boys’ 100-meter dash Saturday.

And finally, Mallard Creek’s Ashlynn Wimberly was a double winner on the girls’ side, taking home state titles in the high jump and triple jump.

▪ Raleigh’s Cardinal Gibbons won the girls’ state title with 54 points, edging Mallard Creek (51). Cuthbertson and Watauga had 34 points each to tie for third.

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OBSERVER-AREA BOYS’ CHAMPIONS

Bryce Lofton, Independence (100)

Hunter Bates, Weddington (800)

Nyan Brown, Mallard Creek (300 hurdles)

Mallard Creek 400 relay (Curtis Clark, Samaritin Page, Mason Kelly, Nassor Ashenafi)

Mallard Creek 800 relay (Mason Kelly, Khalil Price, Justin Watts, Nassor Ashenafi)

Mallard Creek 1,600 relay (Mason Kelly, Justin Watts, Jeremiah Person, Khalil Price)

Tommy Pringle II, Cuthbertson (high jump)

OBSERVER-AREA GIRLS’ CHAMPIONS

Maya Love, Independence (100, 200)

Colby McCollum, Cuthbertson (1,600)

Independence 400 relay (Maya Love, Grace Rogers, Hannah Dadie, Taniya Dickerson)

Ashlynn Wimberly, Mallard Creek (high jump, triple jump)

Alexandria Jefferson, Rocky River (discus)

Natalie Brown, Weddington (shot put)

Seaforth, Cummings take 2A state titles

In the 2A state finals, Seaforth won the boys’ championship and Burlington’s Cummings High took the girls.

Seaforth finished with 68 points, just ahead of Brevard (65). Pine Lake Prep (15 points) finished 17th and was the highest-ranking Observer-area school.

On the girls’ side, Pine Lake Prep had 26 points to finish sixth.

Pine Lake Prep’s Maya Little won the girls’ 800-meters and finished second in the 1,600.

Langston Wertz Jr.

The Charlotte Observer

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