Arkansas High’s Tony Noble sets national mark at conference meet

PEARCY, Ark. — Tony Noble recorded a nation-best triple jump for freshmen as the Arkansas High boys’ and girls’ track and field teams finished in the Top 5 at the Class 5A-south Conference Meet on Tuesday at Lake Hamilton High School.

Noble finished with a 46-02.25 in the triple jump, ahead of Razorback teammates Cameron Sanders (4311.00) and Jaquavion Ross (43-09.50). With the jump, he ranks No. 1 in the nation for all freshmen.

The boys program finished third overall with 95.5 points. Hot Springs Lakeside finished first with 178.5, followed by Benton’s 105 points.

On top of his third-place finish in the triple jump, Ross claimed the top prize in the high jump with 6-04.00.

Arkansas High’s Izaih Ivy took third in the boys’ shot put event at 44-03.50.

The team of Jakyrion Sims, Telly Wells, Zephaniah Black, and Javen Davis claimed silver in the 4x200-meter relays with a time of 1:30.95, just shy of El Dorado (1:30.24). In the 4x100-meter relay, Sims, Zeryan Randle, Davis, and Jayden Flowers raced to a first-place finish of 43.54.

The Lady Backs came in fourth overall, with a score of 87.5, trailing Lake Hamilton (177), El Dorado (127.5), and White Hall (96).

Mckenzie Smith (37-01.00) and Addison Gurley (3411.00) gave Arkansas High a first- and second-place finish, respectively, in the girls shot put event. The pair also finished in the top two in discus, with Gurley scoring a best 124-02 and Smith a 118-04.

Arkansas High took third in the girls’ 4x200-meter relay. Nydreyia Kelley, Aasya Lott, Aniyah Black, and Kayden Martin finished with a time of 1:47.12.

The Class 5A state championship will be held in Russellville, Arkansas, on May 2.