By Ronnie Gallagher
rgallagher@salisburypost.com
GRANITE QUARRY — If anyone was happy to see rain yesterday afternoon, it was probably Salisbury’s Philip Tonseth.
Tonseth, one of Rowan’s top long-distance runners, was scratched for Tuesday’s Rowan County track meet because he was needed for the Hornet baseball team.
But the rain was his ally. The meet was called off and rescheduled for today at East Rowan.
East coach Rick Roseman said the rain started about 3:50 p.m., about 10 minutes before the beginning of the meet.
“It started drizzling and never stopped,” Roseman said. “The track was covered.”
While Tonseth is expected to run, some of the other big names won’t.
Fans will be disappointed that Salisbury’s two-time state champion in the 100 and 200 meters, Romar Morris, has been scratched. He is still being hampered by a tweaked hamstring, suffered two weeks ago at Mooresville.
It could open the door for someone like West Rowan’s Tevin Gregory or even East Rowan’s Ben Hancock.
Hancock has been impressive, running a 10.9 100 and a 22.43 200.
Also scratched in the 110 hurdles is West’s Daishion Barger, who suffered a broken hand recently. He is expected to run the 100.
Tonseth’s emergence could help Salisbury score some extra points. Darien Rankin is a favorite in the high jump and long jump but it’s the long jump that might be the most excciting event to watch now that Morris isn’t running. Rankin will have his hands full with North’s Johnny Oglesby and Sam Starks.
East has been strong all season in the throws, especially Sam Sherman, who is coming off an impressive 55-9 throw in the shot last week.
Even without Barger, West’s boys could decide the outcome with their speed, especially in the relays.
Salisbury and North Rowan should put on quite a battle for the the top spot in the girls competition, although Carson has won meets and should make some noise.
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NOTES: The field events at East begin at 4 p.m. with the running events are scheduled to begin at 5. … The forecast is for 67 degrees and partly-cloudy.