SOUTHERN PINES — The Scotland High School track team advanced to the 4A state meet in two events after competing in the 4A Midwest Regional in Southern Pines.
The unseasonably hot weather made for brutal running conditions as the temperature soared to almost 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Participants and spectators did their best to take refuge from the oppressive heat hiding under tents, umbrellas and the little bit of shade from the pine trees.
The Fighting Scots foursome of seniors Trey Dixon and Laron Quick, freshman Jumarius McLean and junior Tyshawn Thomas qualified for state in the 4×100 meter relay. Lady Scots freshman Sanya Lacue qualified in the 300-meter hurdles.
Scotland qualified for 18 of the 36 events that were held on Saturday with the Fighting Scots competing in 18 and the Lady Scots competing in seven.
On the boy’s side, the Fighting Scots competed in shot put, 4×200 meter relay, discus, 4×100 meter relay, high jump, 400-meter dash, long jump, 200-meter dash, triple jump, 4×800 meter relay and 4×400 meter relay.
The Lady Scots events included discus, 4×200 meter relay, 1600 meter, 4×100 meter relay, 300-meter hurdles, long jump, and 3200-meter run.
FIGHTING SCOTS
The 4×100 meter relay team of Dixon, Quick, McLean and Thomas was the only state qualifier on the men’s side. The Scots foursome took third with a time of 42.47 seconds. Richmond won the event with a time of 41.56 seconds followed by East Forsyth in second with a time of 42.21. West Forsyth rounded out the state qualifiers with a time of 42.49 seconds.
The top eight times from Saturday’s preliminaries advanced to the finals. The top four finishers in each of the final events advanced to the state meet.
Scotland senior Brenton Thomas just missed the cut to advance in the triple jump finishing in fifth with a mark of 43 feet 2.75 inches. Pinecrest’s Jaden Gaddy was the final state qualifier in fourth with a mark of 43 feet 9.25 inches.
The Fighting Scots remaining regional competitors finished as follows:
200 meter dash — Tyshawn Thomas, 10th, 23.32 seconds; 400 meter dash — Roy Pegues, 10th, 52.23; 4×200 meter relay — Scotland, 8th, 1:33; 4×400 meter relay — Scotland, 10th, 3:40; 4×800 meter relay — Scotland, 11th, 9:34; long jump — Brenton Thomas, 11th, 20-03.0; shot put — TJ Smith, 9th, 40-08.75; Kendrell Sellers, 10th, 40-05.5; Mohomed Kaba, 14th, 40-02.75.
LADY SCOTS
Lacue took fourth in the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 49.15 seconds was the sole qualifier for the Lady Scots. West Forsyth’s Asia Phillips won the event with a time of 46.87 seconds followed by Gail White in second with a time of 47.14 and West Forsyth’s Alexia Capman took third with a time of 49.08 seconds.
The Lady Scots six other events missed the cut to advance to state. Senior Daizha McMillon was the next closet finisher taking seventh place in the discus with a throw of 83 feet 7 inches. The winning throw of 136 feet 6 inches came from Ragsdale junior Kaitlin McGoogan.
The Lady Scots remaining regional competitors finished as follows:
4×100 meter relay — Scotland, 11th, 51.49 seconds; 4×200 meter relay — Scotland, 11th, 1:56; long jump — Kayla Kirkley, 13th, 14-07.0; 1600 meter — Madison Williams, 12th, 5:53; 3200 meter — Madison Williams, 12th, 13:35.
The Fighting Scots 4×100 meter relay team and Lacue will travel to North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro on Saturday, May 19 for the 4A state track meet. Admission is $10 and parking is $10. Running event preliminaries begin at 10 a.m. and finals begin at 1 p.m. The 4A competitors will race with the 2A competitors.
Amber Hatten-Staley can be reached at 910-506-3170 or ahatten@laurinburgexch.wpenginepowered.com.
