West track runs final home meet, Bojangles events

Published 3:15 pm Monday, April 15, 2019

The West Stanly Colt track teams finished up their regular season with a home meet to recognize seniors on Thursday and at the Bojangles Invitational Friday and Saturday.

Thursday’s Results

The Colts seniors enjoyed being at their home track setting a number of personal records. Collin Cooper ran personal bests for victory in both the 200-meters (23.2) and the 400-meters (52.1).

Pierson McManus ran a 5:42 in the 1600-meters for a personal record win, then ran the 300-meter hurdles for the first time.

Dalton Hatley won both throwing events with a personal record 40-feet, 10-inches -10 in the shot put and a solid throw of 120′ 3” in discus.

Maddie Miller decided to finish up her home career in the 1,600-meters and a season best 6:11, while Noah Almond broke the five-minute barrier for the first time with a 4:57 for third place.

The West men finished with 116 points, followed by Mount (88), Anson (86), Central Academy (61) and East Montgomery (10).

Top three men’s overall finishers included:
100-meters 1) Jordan Poole 11.0
200-meters 1) Collin Cooper 23.2
400-meters 1) Collin Cooper 52.1,
1,600-meters 3) Noah Almond 4:57
3,200-meters 3) Austin Huneycutt 11:43
300-meter hurdles 3) Jake Hinson 45.8
Shot Put 1) Dalton Hatley 40-10, 3) Ashton Kennedy 39-1
Discus 1) Dalton Hatley 120-3, 3) Gavin Hudson 108-4
High Jump 2) Jordan Poole 5-6, Long Jump 2) Cole Carter 18-4.

On the women’s side, the Colts finished with 118 points, followed by Anson (99), Mount Pleasant (92), Central Academy (29) and East Montgomery (9).

Top three overall finishers included:
100-meters 1) Onii Bivens 12.8
200-meters 1) Onii Bivens 27.1
400-meters 1) Onii Bivens 1.01
800-meters 3) Aniston Hann 2:48
1,600-meters 1) Pierson McManus 5:42, 2) Natalie Almond 5:54, 3) Rachel Efird 5:59
3,200-meters 2) Katherine Pollard 2) 14:39, 3) Brooklyn Simpson 14:59
100-meter hurdles 3) Carmen Bishop 18.5
300-meter hurdles 2) Carmen Bishop 52.0
High Jump 1) Carmen Bishop 4-8, 3) Dani Moss 4-6
Long Jump 2) Onii Bivens 15-10

Bojangles Invitational

Fifteen Colts then traveled to Columbia S.C. for the Bojangles Invitational at Spring Valley High School Friday and Saturday. The track classic hosts 150 schools and close to 2,000 of the top athletes from across the southeast.

The Colt men started the action Friday night with a season best 8:37 in the 4×800-meter relay. The team of Arturo Zelaya, Korbin McNeill, Noah Almond, and Leo Martinez are now four seconds off the school record.

West’s women were up next; the foursome of Pierson McManus, Natalie Almond, Rachel Efird and Maddie Miller lowered their time to a best effort of 10:45. The quartet is currently ranked second in the Midwest region.

West’s men were scheduled to run the 3,200-meter race Friday night but weather caused the event to be moved to Saturday morning. Freshman James Shue ran a person record of 11:22 with Daniel Brattain racing to 11:40.

Senior Pierson McManus ran a strong 3,200-meter race. McManus was ranked 13th out of 30 in her heat, but ran negative mile splits of 6:05, 6:03 lowering her best time to 12:08, while winning the heat. The new personal record left her only one second off her sister Lefler’s school record. Fellow senior Brooklyn Simpson ran a 13:27.

Collin Cooper followed up his senior day with two great invitational races. He ran a 23.6 in the 200 and a 52.2 second finish in the 400.

The Colts were also solid in the mile race with Korbin McNeill racing to 4:58 and Arturo Zelaya to 5:07. On the women’s side Pierson McManus ran a 5:49 and Natalie Almond finished in 5:53.

West closed out the track events with the 800 meter run. Maddie Miller ran a season best 2:35, while Rachel Efird ran a personal best 2:39. Leo Martinez ran a personal record of 2:06, while Noah Almond was slowed by injury to 2:24.

The Colts had three throwers with Dalton Hatley throwing the discus 128-0, while Ashton Kennedy threw the discus 101′ 6” and the shot put 38′ 9”. Carter Miller tossed the shot put 36′ 11”.

West Stanly will compete in the Stanly County Schools event Tuesday at South Stanly.

About Charles Curcio

Charles Curcio has served as the sports editor of the Stanly News & Press for more than 16 years and has written numerous news and feature storeis as well. He was awarded the NCHSAA Tim Stevens Media Representative of the Year and named CNHI Sports Editor of the Year in 2014. He has also won an award from Boone Newspapers, and has won four North Carolina Press Association awards.

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