Haughton sprinter Micah Larkins will follow in Bucs’ great Joe Delaney’s footsteps to Northwestern State, but on Friday, Larkins passed up Delaney in one aspect.
His 10.31 in the 100 meter dash broke Delaney’s school record of 10.37 that’s stood for at least 35 years.
“I feel real honored because Haughton has produced so many good athletes, and I especially feel honored because it’s a Joe Delaney record,” said an out-of-breath Larkins at the Northwood Invitational. “He’s probably the best athlete to ever come through our school, so I just thank God.
“I said before I started that I was going to run a 10.3, and I just felt really good in practice all week.”
Going into this week, Lakeside’s Chris Lewis held the best mark in the state this season with a 10.39.
Larkins also held the state’s best 200 meter mark with a 21.44, and he took first place at the Northwood meet with a 21.50.
Larkins’ efforts, which included being part of a 4X100 relay win, led a balanced Haughton boys’ attack as the Bucs won nine events en route to the meet win. Haughton (155 points) held off a challenge from Parkway (125), Evangel (106) and Northwood (106).
Jumper Jacorius Jeter won both the triple jump (44 feet, 10.5 inches) and the long jump (22 feet, 2 inches) to pace the Bucs’ field events.
Jeter, who will join Larkins at Northwestern State, said Friday was only his second long jump attempt since his freshman season.
“I’m mainly a triple jumper, but the coaches wanted to try me out at long jump,” Jeter said. “The technique is basically the same, but you have to keep in mind the differences.
“It’s more about setting a goal and being in the right mindset. I’m going to (NSU) for triple jump, but I’m open to doing anything they want.”
Other Bucs to win events include Cody Hinson (pole vault, 12 feet, 9 inches); Josh Lister (110 hurdles, 14.66), Zachary Smith (800, 20.07) and Antonio Woodfork (300 hurdles, 41.28).
On the girls side, Parkway (169 points) relied on its dominant distance running to top second-place Haughton (139 points) and third-place Evangel (64 points).
The Lady Panthers won five events, but a lot of high finishes helped Parkway edge a Haughton team that won seven events.
Sara Funderburk won the 800 (2:30.38), Jessica McGuffee took the 1600 (5:44.40), Cassidy Cummings won the 3200 (12:35.50), Brooke Stigall took javelin (97 feet, 11.5 inches) and the 4X400 relay team of McGuffee, Shania Perez, Destiny McGaffey and Funderburk ran a 4:26.10.
The Haughton girls owned the field events with Brittany Robinette taking triple jump (31 feet, 9.75 inches) and high jump (4 feet, 8 inches); Mattie McCoy winning discus (108 feet, 6 inches), Mikayla Barber taking pole vault (8 feet) and Inez Green winning shot put (37 feet, 5 inches).
Evangel’s L’Muriel Thrower won the 100 meter (12.97) and was part of the Lady Eagles 4X200 relay team (1:53.60).
“I’ve been improving a lot and have come a long way,” Thrower said. “You just have to be committed in practice and be coachable.
“I pray before every race, lift my hands up, and God does the rest.”
Other girls winners included Southwood’s Jazzine Jackson (long jump, 15.125 inches); Southwood’s Courtney Pettit (100 hurdles, 17.57), Haughton’s 4X100 team (52.00), Haughton’s Larissa Wells (400, 1:03.40); Northwood’s K.J. Harper (300 hurdles, 54.13) and Evangel’s Shakara Taylor (200, 27.16).
Back to the boys, Northwood’s Dylan Oliver grabbed the 1600 (4:43.76) and the 3200 (10:34) for the Falcons.
Evangel’s Chris Bradley won the shot put (48 feet, 4 inches) and the discus (137 feet, 7 inches).
Other boys winners included Northwood’s Jerrick Peterson (javelin, 158 feet); Parkway’s Ray Cole (high jump, 6 feet, 2 inches); Parkway’s 4X200 relay (1:30.7); Northwood’s Jumonte Jones (400, 52.66) and Evangel’s 4X400 relay (3:27.37).
