By Ryan Bisesi
rbisesi@salisburypost.com
GRANITE QUARRY ó ěHeís a freak of nature,î shouts East Rowanís Evan Hiatt when talking about the day that teammate Ben Hancock had at the Rowan County Meet.
The claim had merit, as Hancock claimed personal bests in winning the 400 and 200 meter runs, helped win a 4×400 relay and took second in the 100.
Hancock, whose 20-year-old brother Gabe committed suicide in January, explained it another way.
ěI felt like my brother was watching over me,î said the future marine. ěI asked him to give me a hand and he came through. It felt good.î
In a day where just about all the athletes on East Rowanís football field had an interesting story to tell, Hancockís was impossible to overlook. He won the 400 for the third straight year and was the meetís sprint MVP, a worthy accolade according to his coach.
ěHe has been so motivated by Gabe going into this season,î East coach Rick Roseman said. ěGabe has inspired Ben to do what he did today.î
Hancockís spirt was matched around the field on Wednesday with a stellar senior crop all showcasing their talents. North Rowanís talent and experience won out in both the boys and girls competitions with the Cavalier boys edging East 156-146 for their first County title since 2006.
Even with the competitive nature of the day, rival athletes stood in admiration of their competitors. North junior Johnny Oglesby pointed over at Salisbury stud Darien Rankin.
ěThat man over there is going to make me compete in the long jump,î Oglesby said with a laugh.
Oglesby, who won the 110 hurdles (39.37) and the 300 hurdles (39.37), later fell to Rankin, the field events MVP, in the long jump (21-7) and high jump (6-6).
Northís Sam Starks, already a 1A state champion on the hardwood, took his second consecutive triple jump title (44-10).
Starks and Oglesby traded firsts in several events, but no petty qualms were invoked. It only equaled a title for the Cavs.
ěItís like when youíre a little kid and you want to be the strongest and fastest in everything,î Starks said. ěItís the same way with us. We try to have fun with it.î
Oglesby was an inch short in the triple jump, finishing second to Starks. Starks and Titus King finished 2-3 behind Oglesby in the 110 hurdles. Demiah Hawkins was runner up to Oglesby, a transfer from Lexington, in the 300 hurdles.
ěSam and Johnny are real competitive,î said North coach Robert Steele, in his 26th year with the Cavaliers. ěBut the good thing about it, even though theyíre in the same events, is theyíre great teammates. Thereís no envy or jealously.î
Rankin was disappointed after not clearing 6-8 in three tries in the high jump, but took solace in the several meets left in his career.
ěI think I could have done it in my sleep,î Rankin said. ěI practiced and practiced, but it wasnít my day.î
Sam Sherman boosted East in the shot put despite three scratches. Shermanís top toss of 53-41/2 missed his personal best of 55-9 thrown last week at South Rowan, but it was good enough for first place.
ěThereís so many miniscule things that you can do wrong to effect your throw,î Sherman said. ěItís just one of those days, but youíve got to bounce back.î
The Mustangs took first by eight seconds in the 4×400 (3:29), while West won the 4×200 (1:31) and 4×100 (43.27).
South Rowanís 4×800 relay broke a county record with an 8:18 finish in the third straight title. Michael York, the final leg of the relay, was distance MVP after capturing the 1600 (4:32) and 3200 (10:22). York led for nearly the duration of both races.
ěItís great to come out here and win county titles in such a hard county to race in,î said the Lenoir-Rhyne signee. ěItís an honor.î