Bojangles Relays a success again

Ah, spring.

One of the beauties of a high school boys and girls track and field invitational is the “wow” factor is equal for male and female competitors recording head-turning performances. Speed is speed.

Ravenscroft senior Ryen Frazier proved that once again as she recorded this year’s fastest girls 1,600 meters in the nation with a mark of 4 minutes, 43.22 seconds Saturday in the Bojangles Apex Lions Relays.

Among the impressed spectators and competitors at the Apex High track was the boys 1,600-meter winner, Cardinal Gibbons’ Connor Peeples.

“That was pretty crazy,” said Peeples, who clocked 4:21.61. “She’s such a strong runner no matter who you are you can learn from her.”

The nationally traveled Frazier is virtually unbeatable at home, but local rivals welcomed her presence. She brought out the best in the field as three other girls broke the five-minute barrier.

Milia Ellington of Community School of Davidson was second, 4:54.91; Maysa Araba of Carrboro third, 4:55.50; and Elly Henes of Green Hope fourth, 4:56.41. Araba and Henes recorded personal bests.

“It’s fun to run against (Frazier) because she is so consistent at her paces,” said Araba, who is bound for North Carolina. “I tried to hang on to her pace and toward the end gave it everything I had.”

Frazier, who is committed to N.C. State, said she enjoys the chance to record a big performance in a local meet.

“I don’t feel as isolated at a meet like Apex because I know so many of the other girls,” she said. “I know Malia and Elly, and I was happy to see them have a good day.”

Frazier now leads the nation in two outdoor marks. She earlier ran a 10:05.44 in the 3,200. During the indoor season, she recorded three national No. 1s in the 1,600 (4:49.78), mile (4:41.56), 3,000 (9:23.68) and 2 mile (10:02.86).

“I am trusting my training,” Frazier said. “We had to be flexible because of the weather, but my training has been consistent.”

More national girls: Apex senior Sydnei Murphy is flirting with the national lead in the long jump, although she settled for a winning 19-2 1/2 that was just off her season best of 19-2 3/4. The nation’s No. 1 leap is 19-9 1/5 by Samiyah Samuels of Cypress Springs, Tx.

“The goal is 20 feet,” said Murphy, who is bound for Duke. “I just have to put all the pieces together in one jump. I feel good about my training.”

Murphy was a double individual event winner, winning the 100 meters in 12.13. Her presence was all that prevented Broughton’s K’Lynn Beal from an impressive double. She won the triple jump at 39-6, but she had to settle for runner-up in the long jump despite a personal best of 18-9 1/4.

In the pole vault, Apex teammates Anna Eaton (13-0) and Zoe Early (12-6) finished 1-2.

Wilson Hunt’s Nakeisah Jones was a double-winner in the shot put (33-4 ½) and discus (112-0). The shot runner-up was Apex’s Tiffany Finley (33-2 ¾) and the discus runner-up Carrboro’s Alexandra Jones (103-2).

Other boys results: Additional boys gold medalists were Apex’s Drew Pederson in the pole vault (15-0), Garner’s Davon Newton in the high jump (6-2), Sanderson’s Emmanuel Jackson in the 110 high hurdles (14.68) and Wake Forest’s Tyri Beard in the 100 (11.14).

Fayetteville Pine Forest’s Ryan Davis was a double winner in the shot put (57-5) and discus (164-9). Middle Creek’s Terrel Adams was the shot runner-up (56-7) and East Chapel Hill’s Iyin Battle the discus runner-up (163-0).

This story was originally published April 4, 2015 at 7:47 PM with the headline "Bojangles Relays a success again."