ROCKINGHAM — A new season of boys’ and girls’ outdoor track and field will start this week for Richmond Senior High School, and with it comes the expectations to have several regional and state qualifiers.
Head coach Reggie Miller will serve as the coach of both the boys’ and girls’ teams this spring, the second straight season he’s fulfilled that responsibility.
The Raiders will have a total of 35 athletes competing in a multitude of events this spring, while the Lady Raiders will bring 26 runners, jumpers and throwers to the competitions.
While Richmond has several talented athletes who Miller expects will contend for states, he said the programs’ success starts at practice.
“My expectations for our teams this season are to have mental toughness, hard work, determination, commitment and to have faith in our abilities,” Miller said. “If we as a team can do this, then success will take care of itself.
“We also need to improve everyday in practice and perform at a high level at our meets.”
Head coach Reggie Miller talks to the boys’ relay team at Monday’s practice. (Kyle Pillar/The Richmond Observer)
The Lady Raiders have several returning athletes this spring, many of whom Miller hopes to have a strong season after competing in regionals and states last spring.
They are Isis Covington and Akeya Harrison (both 100-meter dash), Andrea Ellerbe (200-meter dash), Jay’da Williams (hurdles), Maylyn Wallace (1600-meter), Aniya Tanksley (high jump), Ja’Niya Blue and Jocelyn Hunter (both long jump) and Rayana Shubert (discus).
For the Raiders, impactful returners are Cason Douglas (100-meter), Kelay Lindsey (200-meter), Travion Smith (400-meter), Emerson Wall (long jump) and Trey Thomas (hurdles).
Senior Rayana Shubert prepares to throw the discus at practice, and is a returner who is expected to help the Lady Raiders. (Kyle Pillar/The Richmond Observer)
The key this spring, however, will be the success of numerous relay teams. Not only do they generate a lot of points during meets, the relay teams are also some of the most talented groupings for the Raiders and Lady Raiders.
The boys’ 4×100 relay team consists of Douglas, Javares Stanback, Taye Spencer and Lindsey, while the girls’ 4×100 relay is highlighted by Williams, Harrison, Ellerbe and Covington.
Running the boys’ 4×200 will be Travion Smith, Lindsey, Douglas and Emoni McBride. The Lady Raiders’ 4×200 relay will be run by Ellerbe, Covington, Talayeh Covington and Harrison.
The 4×400 teams will be headed by Smith, Demetrius Everette, Linden Garcia and Nicholas Griggs, along with Hunter, Miccah Wall, Alexia Watson and Tanksley.
Rounding out the relay teams will be the 4×800-meter crews: Nikem Goodwin, Jordan Bostick, James Coicou, Zekai Windley, Sanaji Tillman, Ellan Munn, Amari Gibson and Juliane Wiegand.
Miller said the boys’ 4×400 meter squad “is really going to be a relay team to watch this season.”
Senior Kelay Lindsey receives the baton from fellow senior Javares Stanback during 4×100-meter practice. (Kyle Pillar/The Richmond Observer)
When asked which events he thinks will make runs at qualifying for the NCHSAA state championship meet, Miller listed eight key groups. They were both teams for the relay races, the 100-meter, 200-meter, 400-meter, hurdles and long and triple jumps.
For the Lady Raiders, Miller expects the 1600-meter runners and throwers to also make an impact.
Richmond’s teams will compete in the newly realigned 3A/4A Sandhills Athletic Conference this spring, featuring familiar foe Pinecrest High School, which Miller noted typically has a strong program.
The other 4A school is Hoke County, and the Raiders and Lady Raiders will compete against 3A opponents Lee County, Scotland, Southern Lee and Union Pines. Miller noted he has a pretty good idea of what’s ahead based on the indoor track and field season.
“I think we will do a tremendous job competing in the new conference alignment with the 3A (and 4A) schools,” Miller explained. “During the indoor season, we had a chance to compete with Union Pines, Lee County and Southern Lee, and they are very competitive.
“I believe if we can stay injury free and continue to compete in practice like we are at a track meet, we will get better each practice and we will do fine,” Miller closed.
Richmond will open its season on Wednesday with an SAC meet against Southern Lee High School and host Union Pines. Events will begin at 4 p.m.
