With high expectations the Men’s 4×800 Meter Relay from Polk County High took to a track loaded with several teams poised to go sub 8:20 in the NCHSAA 2A State Outdoor Track Championships at NCA&T University Saturday, May 10.  Seeded times for the top four teams from all four regions 8:19, 8:22, 8:24 and Polk at 8:25 with three of the top four times coming in from our West Region.  Top four individuals and teams in each event earn All-State honors and medals. Expecting a battle, Polk lined up its lead-off runner, Sophomore Sean Doyle who would give Polk the early lead after his two lap dash. Second and third runners Eli Hall and Jacob Wolfe would both run personal best 800 meter legs, holding the team within reach of the leaders.  Junior Caleb Brown in his first year of high school track would run a blistering 800 dash under his personal best time for the season to anchor the team to a fourth place finish, behind NCSSM 8:08, North Brunswick 8:12, and Mount Pleasant 8:13. Polk’s 8:14.49 finish gave them the fastest State Championship time for all teams representing the West Region and an astounding New School Record, shattering the pre-season 4×800 school record of 8:38 set back in 1993.
Three members of the 4×800 Relay team (Brown, Hall, Doyle) would join Senior Matthew Darden in the 4×400 Meter Relay placing 12th in 3:37.11.  Darden, Polk’s only male individual and triple qualifier would represent Polk in two other events, placing 13th in 200 Meter in 23.59, and 12th in the 100 Meter in 11.67.
Polk’s only female qualifier, India Godlock placed 12th in the 400 Meter in 1:03.47.
Polk will have all 2014 state competitors returning, except Darden who will run track at Lees McRae.

– article submitted
by Jenny Wolfe