Wolves poised for run at state title in track
By Staff, 01/24/17 1:35 PM
PRESCOTT – Prescott High School is poised for another state title this year. This one in track.
Brian Glass, track coach at PHS, said the Wolves should be in the hunt for a state title, which could be the sixth in 10 years. He added the Wolves should also win district for the 11th consecutive year.
As far as competition, Glass said Genoa Central will be tough again this year, especially as the Dragons won state last year. He added Gurdon will be in Prescott’s division this year and is a wild card. Fouke will also be a squad the Wolves can’t afford to overlook.
Looking statewide, Glass said Lake Village, Bald Knob, Paris and Rivercrest will be in the hunt as well for the AAA title.
What helps the Wolves is the number of returners from last year, including five who earned All-State honors: Tyler Rucker, Bralyn Wilson, Ja’Mozyia Williamson, Ryan Johnson and Adrian Block. The first three are seniors this year, while Johnson and Block are sophomores with two more years to help the squad after this season. The Wolves also return the team’s top two scorers from last year: Kadarius Pearson, who earned 132 points, and Deonte Jamison, who earned 103 points. Included in this field are nine who were named All District and 11 All State qualifiers. From top to bottom the Wolves should be solid for track this year.
Pearson and Rucker return for pole vault, with these two being the best PHS had last year, while Block, Pearson and Jordan Glass are back for the high jump event. Wilson and Pearson will again be competing in the long jump, while Johnson, Jamison will be in the triple jump. Jay Marks and Courtland Mixon will be anchoring the discus, while Jaylon Marshal, Hunter Grimes, Kobe Gillard and Chase Subin will be vying for points in the shot.
“We should be strong in field events,” Glass said, adding the Wolves have plenty of speed for the track events.
Jamison, Pearson, Block and C. Johnson will be back for the 110, while Wilson and Pearson will also be in the sprint events. Everyone, Glass said, is back from the distance events from last year. They are: Trey Rucker, Derrick Nolan, Hank Crain and Matt Gill. For the quarter and middle distance events, R. Johnson, Williamson, Darell Lloyd, J. Giles and Ty Gulley will be the team to beat, along with Cam Cox and Trent Davis.
As to the relay events, Carlos Vanhook, B. Wilson return and will provide plenty of speed. All four are back from the 4×400, Wilson, R. Johnson, Block and Williamson, while R. Johnson, Williamson and Ty Gulley are back from the 4×800 squad. Glass said a junior move in, Quontravius Caldwell, should also contribute.
Others who will be working to help the Wolves win another state title in track are: Peyton Chandler, B. Wilson, Desmond Lloyd, Chris Cowling, Derick Thompson, Eric Wingfield, Quantas Gulley, Isiah Wayne and Cade Haynie.
Glass said the Curley Cubs will be going for the team’s 14th consecutive district title, but will have to beat Genoa Central as the primary competition.
The major meets in Prescott this year will be: Senior Wolf Relays on March 9; Junior Cub Relays on March 14; Merchant Relays on March 30; the 7AAA District meet on April 27; and the AAA state meet on May 2.
