DeKalb International Prep Classic
Saturday, May 27th , 2006 -- George C. Griffin Track -- Georgia Tech University, Atlanta GA
Tim Grier-Trey Charles Showdown Could Highlight DeKalb International Prep Classic
By Steve Underwood
Saturday's DeKalb International Prep Classic in Atlanta GA will be mostly a showcase for Georgia standouts, serving as an opportunity for post-season competition for athletes wanting to extend their spring, or prepare for national and summer meets. But it also has a regional and international flavor, with athletes from other Southern states and even other countries.
At least half a dozen athletes representing Guyana, the British Virgin Islands, Somalia, Netherlands Antilles, and Belgium will be in attendance. They will be joined by competitors from South Carolina, Alabama, Florida, Texas, Mississippi, Maryland, and North Carolina.
Adding a little extra intrigue to the competition will be the fact that Olympic distances like 3000 meters, 1500 meters, and the 400 meter hurdles – events normally not contested in Georgia and most other states – will be on the schedule.
Among the entries are a number of regional and national class stars, including Jordan Scott (GA), Trey Charles (GA), Tim Grier (GA), Chris Bilbrew (AL), Ben Hubers (GA), Emily Reese (GA), LaMarcus Hunter (TX), Brittany Long (GA), Quaneshia Cleckley (GA), Daniel Averso (GA), Daisy Glasser (FL), Israel Machovec (GA), Wesley Wright (GA), and freshmen sensations Justin and Lauren Chambers (GA).
Two of the most intriguing matchups will involve athletes near the top of that list. Georgia’s national class and multi-talented 300H champs, Trey Charles and Tim Grier, will lock up in the 400 hurdles, an event either could be testing himself at for Nike Outdoor. Charles was a triple state titlist in 5-A at the Georgia state meet, running 47.49 400, 36.94 300H and 24-2 long jump (an event he is also doing here, as the top seed). Grier was the 3A champ in the 300H, going 36.74, and was a narrow runner-up in the 110H and LJ.
The 800 will feature Smiths Station AL state champ Chris Bilbrew, who has hit 1:53.20, against McEachern HS (Powder Springs) GA standout Ben Hubers, who is dropping down to the 2-lapper for a speed test after clocking 4:08 and 9:05 for 1600 and 3200 this season.
Most proven nationally among the entries is Jordan Scott, the Oconee County pole vaulter who has cleared 17 feet and was tied for 2nd at Nike Indoor.
The Chambers twins and the Machovecs will give the meet a family flavor. Twins Justin and Lauren Chambers, from Kell HS (Marietta) are two of the most amazing freshmen in the country. Without Charles in the 400, Justin will be one of eight athletes seeded between 48.2 and 48.8, with an excellent chance to win, while Lauren (best known in the hammer and weight) leads shot put entries at 42-8.
Dacula GA’s Eve Machovec, a soph, is seeded right behind Chambers in the shot, at 41-6. Eve’s older brother Israel, a senior, leads the discus throwers at 180-4 and is listed second among shot putters at 60-2 behind Villa Rica’s Wesley Wright.
Chamblee GA soph Emily Reese may not run all three distance events she is the top seed for – the 800, 1500, and 3000 – but she will certainly be favored whenever she steps on the track. The 2005 Foot Locker finalist was at the top of her form at the GA 4A state meet with 3200 (10:33) and 1600 (4:52) wins.
Therrell (Atlanta) GA teammates Brittany Long and Quaneshia Cleckley should be the queens of the sprints. They won the 3-A 100 and 110H, respectively, at the GA state meet, the events which they will do here. They will also team up on a 4x1 relay that could challenge sub-46.
For the boys, the best burner may be Spring Westfield TX hurdler LaMarcus Hunter, who ran 13.99 at the 5A state meet.
Along with Scott, those expected to get up high in the atmosphere include Providence Christian Academy GA high jumper Daniel Averso (6-10) and Episcopal (Jacksonville FL) vaulter Daisy Glasser (12-06.75).