By Ronnie Gallagher
rgallagher@salisburypost.com
LANDIS — South Rowan’s girls track team has won county titles. It has won conference titles.
But not until this season have the Raiders won both.
That’s why there is optimism galore as South heads into Saturday’s 3A regional at Marvin Ridge.
Head coach Angie Chrismon will rely on hurdlers, jumpers, shot-putters, relay teams and pole vaulters.
“We’re looking for points and we’re hoping to take a few people to the states,” Chrismon said. “Almost all of ours are in the top eight in their events.”
This has been one of Chrismon’s most enjoyable seasons and it’s because of one of her former Raiders: Makenzie Mullinax, who has gone from former star to assistant coach.
“She has been a remarkable addition to our program,” Chrismon said.
You remember Mullinax. The 2007 South grad was a pole-vaulting machine in high school, setting the county record of 11 feet, 6 inches.
“It’s different,” Mullinax laughed of her coaching gig. “I enjoy coaching.”
One of the first things she told the Raiders about her county record?
“I told them, ‘Y’all can break it.”
That hasn’t happened. And it probably won’t for a while.
Mullinax came to Chrismon asking for an internship as she finished up at Charlotte, the school that gave her a track scholarship. Chrismon asked her if she wanted to be an assistant and Mullinax jumped on board.
Chrismon is glad to have her.
“Mackenzie has been able to critique,” she said.
Mullinax has critiqued some of the best athletes in the North Piedmont Conference. In the NPC meet last week, her pole vaulters finished 2-3 after Carson’s Jesse Troutman.
Senior Hannah Houston won two distance events and junior Talvanisha Lawing won the triple jump and 100 hurdles, while placing second in the 300 hurdles.
Lawing, a junior, moved in from A.L. Brown and has sparkled.
“Talvanisha is a phenomenal athlete,” Chrismon said.
And Chrismon has an assistant who knows what it’s like to be a phenom.
“Makenzie has brought a vast amount of knowledge to the girls and has worked with the boys, too,” Chrismon said.
A future coach?
“It’s something I’d look into,” Mullinax said.
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As far as the boys regional, Berry Academy is a decided favorite.
A popular thing to do nowadays is have a mock draft. At East Rowan, Rick Roseman did a mock draft of how his NPC champion boys might fare Saturday in the 3A regional at Marvin Ridge. It didn’t look good because of Berry.
Berry won the 2A title last year and was moved up to 3A, even though Roseman was told it really is 4A size.
“If things go the way they’re supposed to, they’d have 145 points,” Roseman said, adding his team’s mock draft had the Mustangs with about 45.
“We might have some individual winners,” he said. “But (Berry) has dominated.”
East’s best chance might be in the 800 with Cole Honeycutt, who is undefeated and dominated the NPC track meet last week.