(Posted Oct. 27, 2020)
Eric Owens, a current research assistant at George Washington University's R.W. Turner Lab in Washington, DC is reaching out for help spreading word about a research study they are conducting on Athlete Brain Health and Aging.

They are currently recruiting male participants over the age of 30 who are former D-1 non-contact sport athletes or former D-1 college football players

"We are reaching out to high schools and youth sports programs in the state of North Carolina with the hope of finding programs with former students/athletes that went on to play D-1 collegiate sports. If you have alumni that fit this description we hope that you reach out to them with the information for this study."

"Participation in the study will assist with our understanding of the impact of concussions, sub-concussive head injuries, and sport participation on men's health and well-being. Individuals will be compensated up to $175 for their participation in the complete study."

Study Recruitment Flyer.   Further details/sign-up website: BrainHealthStudy.com

"Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns, or if there is someone else I should contact about this."

Sincerely,
Eric Owens
Research Assistant

--
GW School of Medicine & Health Sciences
2600 Virginia Avenue NW Suite T100
Washington, DC 20037
(202) 994-1728
rwturnerlab@gwu.edu

(Posted Oct. 16, 2020)
Interesting story: Boise State University in Idaho is trying to sell a portable indoor track for $350,000. The 200m banked track apparently spends the majority of its time in storage, instead of being used year-round. [I'm guessing that the building is primarily used for indoor football practice.] The 8-lane 60m Dash/Hurdles straightaway is not included since it was glued down when Boise State hosted the 2012 NCAA Indoor Championships. At least one local former Olympic champion is calling for the track to remain nearby. The track may go to public auction.

Story/Video - KTVB.com

Boise State Indoor Track Facility - BroncoSports.com

Side note: In researching the above I was surprised that NCAA.org did NOT have the 2012 Indoor results. But FloTrack.org did.

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Tristin Van Ord, who ran at Chapel Hill HS and Appalachian State University has been named a Provisional Qualifier for The Marathon Project, December 20, 2020 in Chandler, Arizona. The fields will be limited to 50 Women and 50 men.

Race Website: TheMarathonProject.com | Qualifiers: Women | Men

September 24 Press Release

(Posted Sep. 18, 2020)
Former Granville Central HS/Clemson sprinter Tevin Hester (1st in the 2012 NCHSAA 1A-2A-3A indoor 55, with a new Meet Record of 6.39) has been hired as an assistant coach at the University of Pittsburg.

Hester was 2012 New Balance National Champion in the 55 dash (6.72) and 100 dash (10.50), and was 3rd in the outdoor 200. His best college times were 10.05 and 20.14.

His best high school times of 6.26 (for 55m at 2012 NBIN ranks =#10 NC All-Time), and 6.72 (for 60m, same race, ranks 5th), indoor 200m 21.68 ranks 12th, outdoor 200 21.17w +3.9 ranks =36th on the NC All-Time List.

He also was the 2012 NCHSAA 2A 100m Champion in 10.56 -0.8, with a prelim of 10.51 +3.7.

Pitt Track And Field Hires Tevin Hester As Assistant Coach - PittsburghPanthers.com

2016 Video including Clemson's Tevin Hester - MileSplit

(Posted Sep. 12, 2020)
I recognized several former North Carolina high school track & field athletes on this recent list:

Here's every NC high school grad that made an NFL 53-man roster (9/5) - HighSchoolOT.com

(Posted Aug. 31, 2020)
Swain County HS grad Heath Shuler placed 2nd in the High Jump in the 1991 NCHSAA 1A/2A State Meet, clearing 6-8. Here is the latest news on Shuler:

Heath Shuler enshrined in Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame (8/31) - Citizen-Times.com

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Pfafftown Reagan HS grad Craig Engels ran a season's best 800 in 1:47.10 Saturday in Goteborg, Sweden. Engels placed 7th.

Meet Results - RunnerSpace.com | Recap - DyeStat

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Rising Charlotte Harding HS sophomore Akala Garrett won the 400 in 55.81 Saturday at the South Carolina Trackfest in Columbia. Garrett's best is 55.26, run at the 2019 AAU National Jr. Olympics in Greensboro.

Meet Results - TimingInc.com | Recap - DyeStat

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An article on Duke University's new Head Men's & Women's Cross Country Coach, Rhonda Riley:

Head coach Rhonda Riley looks to lead Duke cross country into post-Ogilvie era (8/31) - DukeChronicle.com

2020 Duke Cross Country Preview (8/31) - DukeChronicle.com

(Posted Aug. 28, 2020)
To the Charlotte high school track/xc community:

The Queen City Track club has run a successful summer series of distance practices and technical jumps practices. We are now looking to meet more regularly to help fill the gap of the postponement of the fall season.

I have created a survey to gain understanding of what the Charlotte High school community would like right now from a Track club, it can be found here: https://forms.gle/1aGzehcqyLz3oajs9

I would love to have a conversation with you at some point to understand the challenges you and your program is facing. Let me know if you are available for that.

Daniel Wallis, Assistant Distance Coach, Queens University of Charlotte, wallisd@queens.edu

(Posted Aug. 22, 2020)
Old-timers like me recall Randy Jordan, a 1988 graduate of Warren County HS who won six NCHSAA 3A state titles during his junior and senior years. As a junior Jordan won the 3A 100 in 10.44 (nwi), which bettered the 4A record at the time, and still ranks =28th on the All-Time NC 100 list. At that same state meet he won the 200 in 21.20 (nwi) which still stands as the 3A meet record 33 years later, and is =45th on the All-Time List.

Jordan also won the 3A Long Jump twice ...24-1 (nwi) and 23-10 (nwi). His best high school LJ was 24-8 (nwi), which today ranks =18th on the All-Time List. Jordan was also the winner of the 1988 Gatorade Award for North Carolina in Track & Field.

Here's the latest on Jordan:

Where Are They Now? Randy Jordan - WRALsportsFan.com

Video from 1986 - WRALsportsFan.com

More on Randy Jordan - GoHeels.com

(Posted Aug. 21, 2020)
Having run XC/Track for AppState in the early 70s, working summer jobs in Blowing Rock, and running hundreds of higher-elevation miles on Moses Cone trails, the Blue Ridge Parkway, etc., and escaping North Carolina's brutal summer heat/humidity, I briefly considered buying/renting a house near Blowing Rock where I, and other post-graduate runners could continue to train seriously. (I wisely chose to pursue a Masters Degree at the the University of Oregon.)

Years later, others created something like my dream come true:

[quoting from DyeStat.com article] "Andy Palmer was a coach, running writer, and sports psychologist in Atlanta. He and wife Zika acquired the original 45 acres for the ZAP facility in 2000, and the 8174 square-foot, two-building compound was completed in early 2002. They founded the non-profit ZAP Endurance Foundation with the vision of having Olympic-hopeful athletes live and train there while also using the facility to host running camps for college teams and recreational runners."

Latest news: Despite Selling Facility, ZAP Endurance To Continue Coaching Mission (8/20) - DyeStat.com

Links to previous stories:

February 4 | June 5

(Posted Aug. 4, 2020)
A news item on former Tarboro HS star Todd Gurley:

Gurley celebrates 26th birthday as Falcons' new lead back - WRALsportsFan.com

Gurley was the 2011 NCHSAA 2A Champion in the 110 Hurdles (14.13 -0.4) and anchored Tarboro's 4x100 relay in 2010 that set a 2A meet record of 42.50.

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Not related to NC high school track & field but this story and video is really impressive:

It Took Valarie Allman 10 Years To Earn An American Record - MileSplit.com

(Posted July 23, 2020)
Another story on former Clayton HSstar Keni Harrison:

Recalling Keni Harrison's 2016 World Record - UKathletics.com

(Posted July 21, 2020)
Clayton HS/University of Kentucky grad Keni Harrison became the 7th-fastest woman ever in the 150-meter dash (7/20) Monday at a meet in Fort Worth, Texas. Her time of 16.92 placed 2nd to Briana Rollins-McNeal's 16.41, which broke the 150m World Record of 16.46 previously held by Jamaican great Merlene Ottey.

All-Time Women's 150m List - AthleticsWeekly.com(scroll to bottom)

Recap: Fort Worth meet - RunBlogRun.com

(Posted July 20, 2020)
Fans of the Shot Put may enjoy the video (2 min. 48 sec.) on this page:

Huge 22.91 (75-2) PR for Crouser - RunBlogRun.com

(Posted July 12, 2020)
Fans of high school track & field records and stats will enjoy this interview:

DyeStat editor Doug Binder interviews track historian and records-keeper Jack Pfeifer - DyeStat.com

(Posted July 7, 2020)
A good article on former Charlotte Providence Day/University of Southern Cal star Anna Cockrell:

USC's Anna Cockrell finds her voice outside the facade of perfection - OCregister.com

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No mention of cross country (or track & field) but football coaches and A.D.s tossed around some interesting ideas at a meeting in Asheville yesterday:

High school football in the spring? - Citizen-Times.com

..And a related story:

Spring sports in the fall? 'I don't care as long as my kids get to play.' - Citizen-Times.com

Earlier story (7/2):

Football pays the bills for many other sports - Citizen-Times.com

(Posted July 2, 2020)
Former Burlington Cummings HS/South Carolina star Isaiah Moore and Scott Houston (Northwest Guilford HS/UNC/Indiana) are two of 39 recipients of $5,000 development grants from the USATF Foundation.

USA Track & Field Foundation awards Elite Athlete Development Grants to 39 Athletes - USATFFoundation.org

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Today I learned that former North Forsyth HS coach Scott Brent passed away June 23rd at age 80:

Obituary: North Forsyth Coach Scott Brent - JournalNow.com

'He led by example': Scott Brent was a father figure to some and a mentor to many in the Forsyth County running community (6/24) - JournalNow.com

(Posted July 1, 2020)
Former Hickory HS/NC State star Ryan Hill appears to be back in excellent shape. Hill ran a 13:15.28 for 4th place in the 5000m Tuesday night at the Bowerman Track Club meet in Portland, Oregon.

Fast Times At Special Nike Bowerman Track Club Meet Last Night - DyeStat | Meet Results - AthleticTiming.net

More on Ryan Hill

(Posted Jun. 19, 2020)
The latest on former Morganton Freedom HS student-athlete Robert Johnson:

Coach Johnson isn't sure when he'll move into his office at Hayward Field (6/18) - OregonLive.com

Johnson placed 2nd (47-8.25) in the Triple Jump at the 1991 NCHSAA 4-A Outdoor Championships. At Appalachian State he received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1996, and was a two-time triple jump All-American (1995, '96), NCAA high jump qualifier (1996) and school high jump record holder (7-1 3/4). Johnson later served as an assistant coach there for 6 years (1997-2003), coached 28 individual Southern Conference champions and 14 NCAA qualifiers before moving on as an assistant coach at UCLA for two years. He served as an assistant and associate head coach at the University of Oregon from 2005 to 2012, and in the summer of 2012 was elevated to head coach of the Oregon track & field and cross country programs.

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Update (Jun. 30, 2020):
GoDucks.com posted an article with a nice photo of Johnson in front of the Bill Bowerman statue in Hayward Field, and a letter to track & field fans.

Letter from University of Oregon Coach Robert Johnson

Hayward Field Renovation - University of Oregon website

(Posted Jun. 10, 2020)
A good article on pacer-light technology:

How Wavelight technology has opened up new possibilities in athletics - WorldAthletics.org

(Posted Jun. 5, 2020)
I found time today to re-watch and enjoy a 5-part video documentary that was released the week after the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials (February 29th in Atlanta) on ZAP Endurance - a team of post-collegiate runners living and training together in the North Carolina Mountains.

ZAP Endurance (formally known as ZAP Fitness) has been located since 2001 near Blowing Rock, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and Moses Cone Park.

Appearing in this documentary ("Chasing Tokyo") is one former NC high school runner, Tristin Van Ord, who ran at Chapel Hill HS and Appalachian State University.

Circling Back to the Mountains by Tristin Van Ord, 11-25-19.

App State Alum Tristin Van Ord Competes at U.S. Olympic Trials (3/3) - AppStateSports.com

(Posted Mar. 30, 2020)
NOT an NC-related story, but an interesting interview with a California high school/college great miler from the 70s & 80s:

Catching up with...Steve Scott, Master of the Sub-4 Mile - MileSplit

(Posted Mar. 27, 2020)
Former Appalachian State University coach Ben Thomas has been named the USTFCCCA National Men's Assistant Coach of the Year:

Thomas Named Nation's Top Assistant Coach - GoDucks.com

2020 NCAA Division I Indoor Track & Field National Awards (scroll down) - USTFCCCA.org

Thomas Named USTFCCCA National Finalist - GoDucks.com

More on Ben Thomas - GoDucks.com

(Posted Feb. 21, 2020)
Another story where former Pfafftown Reagan HS star Craig Engels appears:

Catching up quick with Nike coach Pete Julian - RunBlogRun.com

(Posted Feb. 20, 2020)
Former Pfafftown Reagan HS star Craig Engels appears in this story:

Bringing Olympic-Level Runners To Life in "Tracklandia" - OregonLive.com

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This story doesn't pertain to NC high school sports in any way, but is a good story on a 45-year old who may have a chance at making the 2020 US Olympic Team:

Lagat Eyes Record Sixth Olympic Team - DyeStat

(Posted Feb. 13, 2020)
An update on St. Augustine's University's Track & Field coach George Williams:

Legendary St. Aug's Athletic Director, Track & Field coach recalls near-death crash in Qatar - abc11.com

Photo & More   Profile - SaintAugFalcons.com

Having run XC/Track for AppState in the early 70s, working summer jobs in Blowing Rock, and running hundreds of higher-elevation miles on Moses Cone trails, the Parkway, etc., this looks like a great chance to escape the July heat/humidity and to learn from experienced pro runners and coaches.

ZAP Endurance High School Cross Country Camp

(Posted Jan. 29, 2020)
The latest on former Reagan HS runner Craig Engels:

Craig Engels Is Off And Running In 2020 As Only He Can - FloTrack.org

(Posted Jan. 28, 2020)
Jason Dowdy is among six to be inducted into the Union Pines HS Athletic Hall of Fame Friday. Dowdy still holds the school record in the Pole Vault (13-0).

Fomer Track & Field Coach M.D. Guthrie will also be inducted. He coached Union Pines girls' track & field teams to five consecutive conference championships.

Union Pines Announces Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2020 - thePilot.com

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Here's a good article on UNC's Head Coach Chris Miltenberg, written by Pat James of GoHeels.com:

In It For The Long Haul

(Posted Jan. 27, 2020)
South View HS grad Philip Hall, now a redshirt senior at NC State, set a new school record (2:25.08) in the 1000m last Friday at the Hokie Invitational at Virginia Tech.

School Record Falls On 1st Day at Hokie Invitational - GoPack.com

Results: Men | Women - TFRRS.org

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Keni Harrison (Clayton HS/University of Kentucky) benefitted from Albequerque, New Mexico's elevation to record the fastest 60mH time in the world this year -- 7.81

Story - DyeStat.com

(Posted Jan. 26, 2020)
William Cooper, a 1981 graduate of East Forsyth HS is one of eight new members that were inducted into the school's Athletics Hall of Fame.

East Forsyth to induct eight former standouts to its athletics hall of fame - JournalNow.com

(Posted Jan. 20, 2020)
Charlotte Olympic HS grad Khayla Dawson, now an Indiana University senior, became the women's national college leader in the shot put last weekend at the Vanderbilt Invitational in Nashville, Tennessee. Her mark was 57-3.75.

Current NCAA Div. I Leaders: Women's Shot Put - USTFCCCA.org

Vanderbilt Inv. Report - IUhoosers.com

Khayla Dawson Big Ten Track & Field Athlete of Week - IUhoosers.com

(Posted Jan. 17, 2020)
High School Today celebrates 100 issues. The January issue is out and marks a significant milestone for the publication that started in 2007.

High School Today - NFHS.org

(Posted Jan. 16, 2020)
Northwest Guilford HS grad Scott Houston is scheduled to compete Friday at the UCS Spirit National Pole Vault Summit in Reno, Nevada.

While in high school (2008) Houston cleared 16-10 indoors ... which is still NC's all-time best indoors or out.

World Outdoor finalists scheduled to open indoor seasons participating in elite competition Friday at annual event in Reno - DyeStat

Coverage Page - DyeStat

Meet Info | Articles - MileSplit

(Posted Jan. 14, 2020)
Track & Field News has named "The Decade's Top 10 High School Boys" and there is one from North Carolina on the list.

(Hint: A sprinter from Cherryville who set a National HS Record of 10.00, and also ran HS times of 20.03w and 20.04w.)

The Decade's Top 10 High School Boys (may require a paid subscription)

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Something that may be of interest to coaches, parents and athletes:

Running Issues With Elizabeth Carey - DyeStat.com

Follow-up articles:
Why It's Not OK To Miss a Period (1/27)
RED-S ... Be On The Lookout For Signs And Risks (2/10)
Seven Nutrition Tips For Athletes (2/24)
How To Take Care Of Yourself When Track Is Canceled And Other Global Crises Strike (3/22)