ROCKINGHAM — There is a lot of talent guiding the Richmond Senior High School boys’ indoor track and field team this winter.
As the team returns for its second season under the direction of head coach John Rich, the Raiders are looking to get a step ahead of their competition.
Led by several returning sprinters and jumpers, Richmond is setting the bar high by wanting to win the Sandhills Athletic Conference championship this year.
Rich, who also serves as a wide receivers coach, noted that indoor track and field is a good crossover for football players. Many of the Raiders on this year’s team play football and participate in the outdoor track and field season in the spring.
Having proven itself as a regional powerhouse in outdoor track and field the past few years, Richmond is hoping to build off that success in just its second boys’ season in recent years.
There are many parallels between the two sports, Rich explained, with indoor track serving as a productive precursor to the spring events.
Of the 36 members on this year’s team, 14 of them return with experience. The Raiders have three returning seniors this winter — Jaliel Green (sprints), Nicholas Griggs (hurdles, jumps) and Tyrene McKenzie (sprints, jumps).
Six juniors are also back to compete — Jordan Bostick (sprints), Adam Brown (sprints), Aaron Coleman (sprints, hurdles), Deshaun Ingram (sprints), Jyneil Scott (sprints) and Travion Smith (sprints, jumps).
Rounding out those familiar with the competition are five sophomores — ZaiAier Chambers (distance), Keonta Pegues (sprints), Chamaure Shaw (sprints, jumps), Christian Surgent (sprints) and Joshua Yarbrough (distance).
Coleman and McKenzie were both state qualifiers last spring for outdoor track and field, and the latter was the lone Raider to qualify for the indoor state championship last year (high jump).
Rich has been impressed with a large influx of talented newcomers this season, many of whom are expected to fulfill roster spots in different events.
Of these student-athletes, Rich explained, the events they will compete in will be determined based on performances in practice leading up to the first meet of the season.
Over half of the team is green to indoor track, among them 10 freshmen — Nyjier Allen, Alijah Flowers, Tion Hines, Jaquan Hunter, Elijah Ingram, Shamir Jones, Jeremy Lindsey, Michael Mack, Jeffery McAuley and Juelz Smith.
A bulk of eight sophomores — Kade Bostic, Dane Cipriani, Evan Hodges, Kaleb Hunt, Daniel Palomera, Jayden Salinas, Elijah Shaw and Timothy Sloan — also add depth. Sloan has cemented himself as the team’s only thrower (shot put).
Two juniors — Jarah Cook and Ahjujuan Ewing — and seniors Demetrius Everette and Antwon McKellar round out the team.
While called indoor track and field, most of the team’s meets will be held outdoors with a few of the bigger meets held indoors. The major difference between indoor track and outdoor track is the distances of some events.
Runners will compete in the 55-meter dash and hurdles, the 300, 500 and 1000-meter dashes, long-distance races of 1600 and 3200 meters, as well as the 4×200, 4×400 and 4×800-meter relays.
Field events include the high jump, long jump and triple jump. Rich said the team is looking to add student-athletes to its distance and throwing events.
SCHEDULE: Below is the complete 2023-24 schedule for the Richmond boys’ indoor track and field team. The majority of meets will be held at Pinecrest or Union Pines high schools.
Dec. 2 Polar Bear Meet @ Pinecrest
Dec. 9 Polar Bear Meet @ Union Pines
Dec. 29 Polar Bear Meet @ Pinecrest
Jan. 6 Polar Bear Meet @ Union Pines
Jan. 16 SAC Championship @ JDL in Winston-Salem
Jan. 27 Polar Bear Meet @ Union Pines
Jan. 31-Feb. 3 Last Chance Meet @ Pinecrest (Date TBD)
Feb. 9 NCHSAA 4A State Championship @ JDL in Winston-Salem
The Richmond Observer will continue its award-winning coverage of the Richmond boys’ indoor track and field team this winter.
A season preview of the Richmond girls’ indoor track and field team will be published later this week.
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