New Bern High runners set the national high school record in the sprint medley relay Friday at the Raleigh Relays at N.C. State.
Running as Track Eastern Carolina, the New Bern boys ran a 3:19.58 against college competition to finish second behind St. Augustine's at 3:19.49.
The New Bern runners were Fuquawn Greene (21.4 seconds in a 200-meter leg), Miles Sparks (21.8, 200) Andrew Hendrix (46.6, 400) and Anthony Hendrix (1:49.8, 800).
The previous co-record holders were Berkeley, Calif., (3:21.1 hand time in 1981) and Hawthorne, Calif. (3:21.15 in 1985).
Track Eastern Carolina also turned in the fastest high school 4x400 (3:12.82) in the country this year -- Anthony Hendrix 47.6, Greene 48.4, Sparks 48.5 and Andrew Hendrix 47.4 -- and the second-fastest 4x200 (1:25.20): Greene 20.8, Sparks 21.6, Anthony Hendrix 21.4 and Andrew Hendrix 21.4.
W-F PLAYERS COMMIT: Wake Forest-Rolesville quarterback Tim Hartman (5 feet 11, 180 pounds) committed to Campbell, and linebacker Taylor Gents (6-0, 205) committed to Guilford last week.
They helped lead the Cougars to a 12-3 record in 2008.
Hartman threw for 1,391 yards.
"Tim did a fantastic job for us," said WF-R coach Earl Smith. "He is one of our fastest players and one of the strongest. Campbell probably will look at him as a defensive player.
"Gents started for us for two years, and Guilford looks like a great fit for him. He knows football and plays with aggressiveness."
OKOYE COMMITS: Stan Okoye, a 6-4 forward at Knightdale High, committed to Virginia Military Institute's fast-paced basketball program.
VMI has led the nation in scoring the past three seasons, and Okoye is expected to fit in well.
"We are a running team, and Stan is versatile," Knightdale coach Battle Watkins said. "He is 6-4, but he can play inside like he was 6-6 or so. ...
"VMI's running style really fits him."
The Keydets (24-8) averaged 93.8 points, scored 100 nine times and beat Kentucky 111-103.
NORTHERN HALL OF FAME: Northern Durham will induct its first Hall of Hame members on May 2 at Willowhaven Country Club in Durham.
The Knights first class includes former football coach Ken Browning (178-35 in 18 years), former PGA golfer John Maginnes, former track coach Mary Walker (two state championships), football standout Dewayne Washington (All-American at N.C. State and NFL player) and football standout Steve Wilson (Howard University coach).
Tickets are $50.
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The Holly Springs High girls softball team and the Middle Creek baseball team will begin best-of-three series on Friday in the N.C. High School Athletic Association championships. 
Nearby 2A prep softball rivals North Johnston and Wilson Beddingfield played the ultimate grudge match Saturday afternoon, double-time style. 
Holly Springs seniors Jenna Firestein and Kristen Krebs knew Saturday’s contest against Fayetteville Jack Britt would be their final home game as members of the Golden Hawks softball team. 
Green Hope’s perfect season is snatched away by Charlotte Hough in the final 12 minutes of the state final at N.C. State’s Dail Soccer Field in a 2-1 finish. 
The Holly Springs Golden Hawks softball team has had an exciting past week of playing close games. On Friday, however, the Hawks fourth close game in a week ended in a 3-2 loss to Britt, as the Buccaneers rallied with two runs in the bottom of the seventh to tie the score and then won in the eighth to even the series at one game apiece. 
The Green Hope High girls soccer team is ranked No. 1 in the country, but won’t reach its goal unless it beats Hough in the N.C. High School Athletic Association 4A championships on Saturday.
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