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South Outdoor Preview
and Early Season Highlights
by John Sullivan, South Region editor
SPRINTS - DISTANCES - HURDLES - JUMPS - THROWS - RELAYS
SPRINTS
BOYS
Texas is traditionally strong and deep in the sprints, including the current US high school records in the 200, 4x100 and 4x200 for Boys and the former 100 record which was broken in 2005. In fact, South Region boys have posted 10 of the top 13 all-time 100 meter clockings.
This year in the 100, the South boasts 9 of the top 20 US returnees (FAT, wind-legal). It’s a similar story in the 200, with 8 of the top 14 returnees.
Leading contenders (based on 2006):
100
10.42 Brandon Myers, Eisenhower HS, TX, Sr, state 5A 1st, US#7 in 2006 and #3 returnee, anchored World Junior 4x100 silver
10.43 Rynell Parson, Stevens HS, TX, Soph, US#10 in 2006 and #4 returnee.
10.45 Donald Monroe, Angleton HS, TX, Jr, state 4A 1st, US#16 in 2006 and #5 returnee
10.47 Shawbrey McNeal, Madison HS, TX, Sr, state 3A 1st, US#18 in 2006 and #6 returnee
10.51 Whitney Provost, Texas City HS, TX, Sr
10.51 Skye Green, Sweetwater HS, TX, Sr
200
20.95 Mychal Dungy, Austin HS, TX, Sr, state 5A 1st, US#5 in 2006 and #2 returnee
21.05 Rynell Parson, Stevens HS, TX, Soph, US#12 in 2006 and #5 returnee
21.08 Jacques Caldwell, Garland HS, TX, Sr, state 5A 2nd, US#13 in 2006 and #6 returnee
21.18 Marcus Boyd, North Crowley HS, TX, Sr, state 5A 2nd, US#13 in 2006 and #7 returnee
21.25 Tyrone Carrier, Worthing HS, TX, Sr, state 4A 1st, US#10 returnee
also 21.28 Ronnie Alexander, Belaire HS, LA; 21.37 Withley Williams, Weatherly HS, OK, Sr
400
47.04 Gill Roberts, Millwood HS, OK, Sr, US#10 in 2006 and #4 returnee
47.36 Marcus Boyd, North Crowley HS, TX, Sr, state 5A 4th, US#9 returnee
47.39 Romie Blaylock, Cedar Hill HS, TX, Sr, state 5A 3rd, US#10 returnee
Early 2007 highlights:
Indoors, Rynell Parsons was 3rd in the NIN 60, equaled the 6.73 US soph 60 record (since broken by CO’s Jeremy Rankin) at the U of Houston all comers, and sped 21.62 to win the Arkansas Invite. Last week he clocked an outdoor 10.32 (+1.3, FAT) at the UT-San Antonio Relays. Donald (DJ) Monroe ran 10.48 FAT (nwi) to claim his home invite. Brandon Myers won the Kingwood Invite in 10.59 FAT in mid-February. Bellaire Episcopal TX sr Bryan Miller, 5th at the 2006 US Youth Nationals in 47.82, is off to a fast start with 21.49 and 48.07 efforts. Marcus Boyd captured the NSIC 400 and was 3rd in the 200.
GIRLS
In the 100 meters, 5 of the top 16 US returnees (FAT, wind-legal) are from the South.
Leading contenders (based on 2006):
100
11.26 Bianca Knight, Ridgeland HS, MS, Sr, US#3 in 2006 and #3 returnee
11.46 Erica Alexander, Clear Brook HS, TX, Jr, state 5A 1st, US#6 returnee
11.54 Brittany Carr, Heritage HS, TX, Sr, state 5A 4th, US#9 returnee
11.44w (+2.2) Victoria Jordan, Dunbar HS, TX, Jr, state 4A 2nd, US#5 all-conditions returnee
200
22.94 Bianca Knight, Ridgeland HS, MS, Sr, US#2 and #2 returnee
23.66 Erica Alexander, Clear Brook HS, TX, Jr, state 5A 2nd, US#7 returnee
22.78 Tiffany Townsend, Killeen HS, TX, Sr, state 4A 3rd, US#11 returnee
400
54.48 Bianca Knight, Ridgeland HS, MS, Sr,
54.89 Erica Alexander, Clear Brook HS, TX, Jr
54.94 Whitney Harris, A&M Consolidated HS, TX, Sr, state 5A 2nd
Early 2007 highlights:
Victoria Jordan posted the US#1 indoor 60, a 7.24 all-time junior class record, and added the Nike Indoor Nationals 60 and 200 titles. Meanwhile, fellow Texan Tiffany Townsend took care of business in New York, claiming the NSIC 60 and 200 crowns, and didn’t miss a beat outdoors a week later with an 11.55 (+1.6, FAT) 100 and 54.94 win in the 400 at the UT-San Antonio Relays. Bianca Knight zipped 22.97 in the Simplot 200, a US high school indoor record
DISTANCES
Boys
Leading contenders (based on 2006):
800
1:52.25 Howard Shepard, Skyline HS, Soph, US#15 returnee, USATF and AAU Jr Oly champ after sitting out his school season
1:52.61 Duncan Phillips, A&M Consolidated HS, TX, Sr
1600
4:13.41 Duncan Phillips, A&M Consolidated HS, TX, Sr, state 5A 1st, US#19 returnee (4:10.96 as a soph)
3200
9:05.17 Colby Lowe, Southlake Carroll HS, TX, Jr, state 5A 1st, US#13 returnee
Early 2007 highlights:
Duncan Phillips made the most of his lone indoor meet, kicking home in 4:09.20 to turn back a deep mile field at the Boston Indoor Games. Outdoors, he motored a 1:50.62 800 at Kingwood’s True Team meet and has several strong relay legs to his credit. Fellow 2-time Foot Locker finalist Colby Lowe ran 4:15.6 outdoors in the Birdville Relays 1600. The Woodlands TX sr Alex Neff blasted a virtually solo 9:03.22 at his home Invite on 2/24. Howard Shepard doubled 49.32 and 1:55.69 indoors at the Arkansas Invite.
Girls
Leading contenders (based on 2006):
800
2:11.50 Brintney Green, Westfield HS, TX, Jr state 5A 2nd
1600
4:51.45c Jillian Rosen, Richardson HS, TX, Sr, 5a 2nd, US#14 returnee
*4.44.47 Nichole Jones, Westfield HS, TX, graduated a year early, state 5A 1st, would have been US#6 returnee
3200
10:38.45 Samantha Means, McKinney North HS, TX, Sr, state 4A 2nd
*10:25.33 Nichole Jones, Westfield HS, TX, graduated a year early, state 5A 1st, would have been US#6 returnee
Early 2007 highlights:
Jillian Rosen, Samantha Means and Bishop Lynch TX sr Kinsey Farren all made Foot Locker Nationals. Rosen ventured indoors just once, clocking 5:00.50 in the Boston Indoor Games mile. Cy Creek TX sr Allison Pye took the outdoor College Park Invite 1600 in 5:00.11.
HURDLES
Boys
Leading contenders (based on 2006):
110H
13.62 Oscar Spurlock, Carter HS, TX, Sr, state 5A 1st, US#4 in 2006 and #3 returnee
13.88 Robert Griffin, Copperas Cove HS, TX, Jr, state 5A 2nd, US#13 in 2006 and #7 returnee
13.73w (+3.2) Darnius Moore, Tatum HS, TX, Sr, state 3A 1st
300H
37.19 Josh Thomas, Cedar Hill HS, TX, Sr, state 5A 4th, US#8 returnee
37.33 Darnius Moore, Tatum HS, TX, Sr, state 3A 1st, US#10 returnee
37.46 Jay Newman, Klein Oak HS, TX, Sr, state 4A 2nd, US#13 returnee
Early 2007 highlights:
Oscar Spurlock ran 7.85 for 5th in the 60 hurdles at Nike Indoor Nationals. Robert Griffin has posted outdoor sub-37 and sub-14 hand-held times.
Girls
Leading contenders (based on 2006):
100H
13.35 April Williams, Skyline HS, TX, Sr, state 5A 1st, US#1 in 2006, April Williams, Nike Outdoor and USATF Jr Oly champ
13.65 Tenaya Jones, Lancaster HS, TX, Sr, state 4A 1st, US#6 returnee
14.18 Karyn LaCour, Humble HS, TX, Sr, state 5a 1st (13.83w)
300H
42.06 April Williams, Skyline HS, TX, Sr, state 5A 1st, US#10 in 2006 and #6 returnee
42.31 Brittany Mason, La Porte HS, TX, Sr, state 5A 2nd, US#10 returnee
Early 2007 highlights:
April Williams picked up indoor wins at LSU, Arkansas and Carl Lewis. Tenaya Jones was close to Williams (same time at Carl Lewis) and finished up with a 6th at Nike Indoors Nationals.
JUMPS
Boys
Leading contenders (based on 2006):
HJ
7-2 Grant Lindsey, Mansfield HS, TX, Sr, state 5A 3rd, US#2 returnee
7-0 Michael Healey, Cinco Ranch HS, TX, Sr, US#4 returnee
6-11 Cortez Harris, Oxford HS, MS, Sr, US#6 returnee
PV
17-2 Spencer McCorkel, Bryant HS, AR, Sr, US#2 returnee
16-9 Maston Wallace, Clear Brook HS, TX, Sr, state 5A 2nd, US#3 returnee
16-3 Joseph Farley, Aledo HS, TX, Sr, state 4A 3rd, US#4 returnee
16-2 Travis Matthews, Magnolia HS, TX, Sr, US#5 returnee
LJ
24-6.75 Terrance Tolliver, Hempstead HS, TX, Sr, state 3A 1st, US#1 returnee
24-4 Whitney Provost, Texas City HS, TX, Sr, state 4A 2nd, US#3 returnee
TJ
49-0.25 Thomas Lang, Brazos HS, TX, Sr, US#3 returnee
48-10 Chris Carter, Hearne HS, TX, Sr, US#4 returnee
48-9.50 Zedric Thomas, New Iberia HS, LA, Sr, US#5 returnee
Early 2007 highlights:
Maston Wallace vaulted to the head of the class with wins at the Reno PV Summit and an all-time indoor US#3 17-5 for Nike Indoor National gold. Spencer McCorkel offered stiff competition with a 17-1 runner-up clearance at NIN, while Joseph Farley’s 16-6 earned silver at Reno. Grant Lindsey finished 2nd in the high jump at NSIC, topping 6-11.75. Zedric Thomas won his indoor state triple jump title with a US#2 49-8, added the NSIC crown, and recorded an outdoor 50-1 (nwi). Sylvan Hills AR sr Jeff Henderson struck state indoor long jump gold with a 24-7.50 US#2 effort, while McComb MS sr Ramon Crockett was US#5 with his 23-10.50 mark at LSU.
Girls
Leading contenders (based on 2006):
HJ
5-10 Brittani Carter, Marshall HS, TX, Sr, state 5A 3rd, US#5 in 2006 and #4 returnee
5-9 Audrey Svane, Pilot Point HS, TX, Sr state 3A 1st, US#8 returnee
5-9 Morgan Mayse, Athens HS, TX, Sr, state 4A 1st, US#8 returnee
PV
13-3 Rachel Laurent, Vandebilt Catholic HS, LA, Jr, US#3 in 2006 and #3 returnee
13-0 Stephanie Foreman, Lake Hamilton HS, AR, US#5 returnee
12-9 Shade Weygandt, Mansfield HS, TX, Soph, state 5A 1st, US#9 returnee, US freshman outdoor record
12-6 Jessica Doyle, Hays HS, TX, Sr, state 5a 3rd, US#14 returnee
12-6 Katelyn Rodrigue, Dominican HS, LA, Sr, US#14 returnee
12-6 Shelby Kennard, Rockwall HS, TX, Soph, US#14 returnee
LJ
19-11.75 LaRoya Johnson, Elsik HS, TX, Jr, US#4 returnee
19-2.75 Whitney Gipson, Birdville HS, TX, state 4A 3rd, US#11 returnee
TJ
39-9 Samantha Hamilton, Ellison HS, TX, Sr, state 4A 2nd, US#10 returnee
39-3.75 Uzunma Udeh, Ruston HS, LA
39-3 Clarissa Andrews, Rockwall HS, TX, Sr
Early 2007 highlights:
Rachel Laurent took the Nike Indoor National pole vault crown with a first-attempt 13-2.50. Shade Weygandt broke the US soph class record with a 13-6 clearance for 2nd at the Reno PV Summit (and US#2) and added NIN silver. Stephanie Foreman ended up US#4 with her 13-0.25 state winner. Brittani Carter soared over US#3 indoors 5-10 at LSU. Warren TX jr Kia Wansley has three outdoor 40-footers (nwi) in the triple jump.
THROWS
Boys
Leading contenders (based on 2006):
SP
60-3 Geoffrey Tabor, Ardmore HS, OK, Jr, US#16 returnee
59-9 Cameron Tabor, Norman HS, OK, soph, US#22 returnee
DT
200-5 Geoffrey Tabor, Ardmore HS, OK, Jr, US#1 returnee (#2 all-time US soph)
JT
196-6 Lucas Oakley, Ruston HS, LA, Sr, US#13 returnee
196-3 Kyle Kent, Northwood HS, LA, Sr, US#14 returnee
Early 2007 highlights:
Geoffrey Tabor heaved the shot 61-2 indoors, and added an early outdoor 63-2 as well as 190-2 in the discus. His cousin, Cameron Tabor, tossed a PR 60-10.5 at his outdoor home invite.
Girls
Leading contenders (based on 2006):
SP
45-4 Charlissa Foster, Cameron Yoe HS, TX, Sr, state 3a 2nd
45-3 Amanda Van Dyke, Connally HS, TX, Jr, state 4a 1st
45-1.50 Jasmine Hughey, Kaufman, TX, Sr, state 3a 1st
DT
160-4 Kylie Spurgeon, Owasso HS, OK, US#3 in 2006 and #2 returnee
154-9 Ashley Woods, West Oso HS, TX, Sr, state 3A 3rd, US#11 in 2006 and #9 returnee
153-0 Paige Newby, Colorado City HS, TX, Sr, US#10 returnee, 4th in 2005 World Youth Championship in Morocco
JT
145-1 Emalie Humphreys, Laredo HS, TX, Sr, US#11 returnee
143-7 Laura Asimakis, Friendswood HS, TX, Sr, US#15 returnee
Early 2007 highlights:
Midwest City OK sr Tia Moore threw 43-8.50 indoors and DeSoto TX soph Skylar White has a 43-11 outdoor mark.
RELAYS
Boys
Outlook:
4x100
It’s hard to say which teams will emerge, but the South dominated in 2006 with 13 of the US top 14 (12 from TX) and 24 of the top 31 FAT times, all 41.40 and better.
4x200
Deep in 2006, 12 of US top 14 (11 from TX), all 1:26.02 and better.
4x400
Had 5 of the 17 US schools under 3:15 last year.
Early 2007 highlights:
Outdoors, Angleton TX has clocked 41.12 for 4x100 and 1:26.62 for the 4x200 relay, while DeSoto TX ripped a 3:15.50 for the 4x400. Expect things to heat up this weekend (March 23-24) at the Texas Southern Relays in Houston.
Girls
Outlook:
4x100
The South had 6 of the 11 US schools that broke 46.50 in 2006.
4x200
Had 6 of the US top 10, and 17 of the US top 30 last year.
4x400
Had 10 of the 33 US schools that broke 3:50 in 2006.
Early 2007 highlights:
Familiar names lead the outdoor lists, with Skyline TX at 46.67, Lancaster TX at 1:38.00 and Marshall TX running 3:46.36. The Texas Southern Relays in Houston should yield some great times this weekend.
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