By Nicole Layton
WILSON — Athletes from three northeastern North Carolina schools turned in strong performances Friday at the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Class 1A East Regional at Wilson Preparatory Academy, with competitors from Washington High School, Mattamuskeet High School and Bear Grass Charter School representing their communities on one of the state’s biggest postseason stages. The regional meet was part of the road to next week’s Class 1A state championships, scheduled for May 14 in Greensboro.
Washington’s lone competitor, sophomore jumper Daziah Rouson, delivered one of the Panthers’ top postseason moments of the spring, placing fifth in the girls long jump with a mark of 13 feet, 9.5 inches. Competing against some of the best athletes in eastern North Carolina, Rouson’s finish capped a season of steady improvement and gave Washington a strong individual showing at regionals.
In Hyde County, Mattamuskeet’s Savanah Whitfield competed in the girls’ shot put, recording a throw of 23 feet, 10 inches to finish 12th overall. Whitfield’s appearance at regionals marked another postseason accomplishment for the Lakers’ track and field program. She’s the Laker featured in the story’s photo.
Meanwhile, Bear Grass Charter School produced the area’s highest finish of the day. Callee Perry sprinted to a fourth-place finish in the girls’ 100-meter dash, crossing the line in 13.16 seconds. Perry’s performance kept Bear Grass in the mix against some of the fastest Class 1A sprinters in the East Region and positioned her among the area’s standout postseason performers.
The regional meet at Wilson Prep brought together top qualifiers from across eastern North Carolina, with athletes competing for placements and potential advancement opportunities in the state championship meet. Regional competition for Class 1A schools was held May 8 as part of the NCHSAA postseason schedule.
For Washington, Mattamuskeet and Bear Grass, the meet showcased the continued growth of small-school track and field programs across northeastern North Carolina, with athletes gaining valuable postseason experience while representing their schools on a regional stage.
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