PHS Track finishes 2nd in SEC Meet

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The Pinecrest boys and girls finished second to Scotland County in the home meet that also included Purnell Swett. The Patriots had 59 boys and 52 girls entered in one or more events out of the 180 Patriot track participants overall.

"We found out who wants to work and who's along for the ride," girls' coach John Buchholz said afterward. "We had a bunch of kids put their guts on the line today. It was just great. We've got a young team and we've got some good senior leadership. It's going to be a good year."

With 40 of the Patriots scheduled to compete in Saturday's Phoenix High School Classic at Elon, the coaches lightened the load on some of their regulars.

One of those who put in a full day's work was Abby Snyder, who won the 300-meter hurdles in a personal-best time and was third in the 100 hurdles. She was also a member of the first place 1,600 and 800 meter relay quartets that included Kelsey Rea, Breanna Quick and Christina Stone.

"It's actually a great feeling," she said of being one of the team leaders. "I'm a junior and I've worked hard to get to that point. I'm just excited that my coach and peers are relying on me to get points and win a conference championship, which I think is easily attainable."

At 5-foot-11, she is one of the tallest female athletes on the team.

"Most of the hurdlers are shorter," she said, "but it's a plus in my opinion to have the long stride. "

The afternoon opened on a positive note for the Patriot girls when Mulloy Manning, Katana Lemelin, Katie Hayes and Sarah Klug combined to win the 3,200 meter relay. In the field events, Janea Williams finished first in the high jump, second in the shot put and third in the discus.

The defending conference champion Patriot girls piled up the points in the middle distance races. Manning, Hayes and Lemelin finished 1-2-3 in the 1,600 meter run. Stone, Rea and Hayden Rudd took the first three places in the 400. Jenna Woronoff was the runner-up in the 800, and Jennie Cunningham and Jaleigh Jensen were the first two to complete the 3,200 run. Heather Reed was the pole vault winner.

Michael Warren in the 400 run, and Jay Harris in the pole vault, were the only winners for the Patriot boys. Dylan Gaffney was second in the shot and third in the discus, and Matt Carlson was second in the discus.

Tavis Pearson finished first and Dee Kirkpatrick was third in the 200-meter dash and Pearson was third in the 100. Javonte Alston was third in the long jump.

With a number of their middle distance runners sitting this one out, the Patriot boys did not enjoy their customary dominance in that department. Javier Bustos came in third in the 1,600 and 3,200 won by Peter Deucher, a home school student from Southern Pines.

The team scores for the girls were Scotland 93, Pinecrest 82 and Purnell Swett 5. The boys' team scores were Scotland 113, Pinecrest 54 and Swett 19.

Contact Charlie Bergmann at cbergmann@nc.rr.com