Marcellus Moore was a happy camper after his 200m victory
Lexington, KY-
The theme coming into the weekend was 'If you can find a better overall high school track and field meet this weekend in the United States, please let us know.'
It did not disappoint.
When the dust finally settled there were three US #1 marks: boys 60m, boys 200m, and girls 60HH.
More importantly than the massively impressive times was the competitive spirit that the athletes brought to town. In a generation where many of today's are often frowned upon for being aloof, it is still refreshing to see greatness within the physical activity realm.
One of the first finals of the day- the boys 60 dash- was set up by the prelims. The finish sideline of the track was abuzz when Plainfield North junior superstar Marcellus Moore opened things up in the "easiest" 6.80 on record. Local star Langston Jackson of Henry Clay HS dropped 6.75 that brought the crowd to a roar. But what happened next was foretelling. McCluer senior Lance Lang lowered the bar to 6.72. Those top three times were then #3, #4, and #5 times from a raw times perspective. These marks are usually enough to win any non-national championship final. Not here. The stage was set several 90 minutes later. "It was crazy, everyone had a mean face... should I be like that," said Lang prior to the record race. "I was so focused that I still had my earplugs in," he added.
The starter's gun went off and half of the field including Lang had the jump on Moore. Lang separated from the massive group except for Moore who began accelerating and closing the gap. Moore appeared to get the nod but it was too late. Lang had won in a BIG personal best and now meet and field house record US#1 6.62. He broke national record holder, Casey Combest of Owensboro, KY meet time that stood for 20 years at 6.70. Moore also took down the ancient time with his personal best and US#3 6.65. Four of the top five finishers would finish in the top five national leaderboards
The 60HH was also a hot race even without national leader Kurt Powdar of Virginia. The prelim rounds produced some solid times led by Deanthony Coleman's 7.92. He was the only one to break the watermark. The final was met with some nerves because of a false start. The second attempt went off without a hitch as Coleman and Myles Marshall of Georgia separated themselves from the field. They hit the line in a near photo finish but it was Coleman that won 7.79-7.80. Both times elevated them to US #2 and #3.
Moore returned for the 200 on a rampage after the minor setback. 'Baby Holyfield' rocketed out of his blocks without any issues against the national leader Cameron Anthony Miller of Dallas, TX 21.09-21.14. Moore's victory was set up by a great first 80m and he just held on against a closing Justin Robinson of Hazelwood West, MO. This should put the rest as to who is the top overall speedster is until NBNI.
If the 400 was a consolation prize, then it was one of the fastest ones. Two top ten national marks were achieved here. Josiah Taylor of Louisville, KY produced another personal best winning in a US #5 48.12. He held off Jay Pendarvis of Bullis who ran a US #9 48.37.
Texan Carter Cheeseman sought the Bluegrass state for some quality distance action. Cheese entered the mile and 800. First up was the mile where Cheeseman opened the first half in 2:07 enroute to a coast to coast win in 4:14.45. Cheeseman was a non-factor in the 800m placing in the back. The upfront running was controlled by Parker Raymond of Michigan who hit the 400 in 55.xx. He was caught by Miguel Parrilla of Tennessee just before the final straight and won in a personal best and US #4 1:53.41. Pre-meet favorite Aman Thornton of Ohio placed 6th in 1:56.38.