Eastmoor boys, Northland girls take City League championships
In a familiar story, Eastmoor Academy’s boys and Northland’s girls once again rule the City League in track and field.
Eastmoor dominated the middle distances to capture a seventh straight title — the most since Central won eight from 1927 to 36 — with 125 points. Seeking its first title, Walnut Ridge took runner-up with 115 points.
Northland used its depth to easily record its sixth title since 2004 and 17th overall. Eleven athletes won gold medals in a record 149-point performance. Centennial (90.5 points) was a distant second.
There was some drama in the boys meet. Heading into the penultimate event, the 3,200 meters, Walnut Ridge led Eastmoor Academy 106-99. The Warriors, however, took first and third in that race and closed out with an impressive win in the 1,600 relay (3 minutes, 23.94 seconds).
“You never think you’ve got it won, but I felt completely confident that those 3,200 guys (Chris Chandler and Bushra Bonkiye) would get it done,” Eastmoor coach Jason Lewis said. “The middle distances and distance are the heart of our team. That said, a lot of guys who aren’t going to get their names in the paper stepped up and got us valuable points that helped us win this battle. We knew it was going to go down to the wire.”
In races and relays from 400 meters up, Eastmoor amassed 79 points.
Notching wins for Northland were Iyanna Ross in the 400 (57.51), Drake Kirkland in the 100 hurdles (15.51), Teneeyah Hale in the shot put (32 feet, 8 inches) and Charlea Henley in the long jump (17-4 ½). It marked Henley’s third straight title. More importantly, the Vikings won three out of the four relays.
“I thought we could get 150 points, and if we had won the relay we got second in, we would have,” Northland coach Tom Fast said. “We scored in almost every event, a lot of times with double points.”
While no records were set in the 111th annual meet at the new Africentric oval, impressive showings from freshmen stole the show.
Makiya Montgomery of Beechcroft won the 100 (12.17) and 200 (24.84) and added a second in the 400.
“I know I have natural ability, but I’ve got to admit that I was a little nervous coming out here today being a freshman an all,” Montgomery said. “Coach tried me out in the 400 and it whipped me. I’ve got to learn how to breathe.”
Linden freshman Jatoine Rowell stunned many by winning the 100 (11.16), and yet another frosh, Khalil Branham of Northland took first in the 400 (49.67) and second in the 200.
“Although I’ve had some issues with my starts, I have a lot of faith in my speed,” Rowell said.