Regional Royalty: Greene Central, Kinston, North Lenoir and South Lenoir Star at 2A East Track Championships

Greene Central Shines with Record-Breaking Jump, North Lenoir’s Fraser Claims Sprint Crown at 2A East Regionals

KINSTON — Four area schools—Greene Central, Kinston, North Lenoir and South Lenoir—brought heat to the track and heart to the field at the 2025 2A East Regional Track and Field Championships, with several standout performances earning state bids and a few athletes rewriting the record books in the process.

Greene Central Rams: 4th Overall Boys Finish, DJ Delivers History

The Rams delivered one of the most complete performances in the field, placing fourth overall in the boys’ standingswith 61 points.

The biggest moment of the day belonged to Deitrich “DJ” Williams, who soared to a school-record 6-8 in the high jump, winning the event and stamping his ticket to states. Desayah Wall backed him up with a second-place finish at 6-4, solidifying Greene Central’s dominance in the event.

In the sprints, Kameron Vandiford took fourth in the 100 meters (11.11), while freshman Kaz Farrior finished fourth in the 200 meters (22.69). Dejuan Cobb landed on the podium in the long jump, finishing third at 21-3, while Williams added a fourth-place finish in the triple jump at 43-8.25.

In relays, the 4x100 team placed second (42.73), the 4x200 took sixth (1:31.62 – season-best), and the 4x400 finished 12th. Jaylen Chavez rounded out the Rams’ points with a fifth-place finish in shot put (45-10.5).

Kinston Vikings: Sprint Depth and State Speed

Kinston’s boys finished fifth overall with 55 points, anchored by Okie Edwards, who won the 400 meters in 49.40 and placed ninth in the 200 meters (23.00). The Vikings also finished second in the 4x200 relay (1:28.42) and second in the 4x400 (3:25.36), showcasing state-caliber speed in multiple relays.

Darryl Parham had a standout day in the hurdles, finishing second in the 110 hurdles (14.62) and winning the 300 hurdles in 39.75. Kinston also grabbed a third-place finish in the girls’ 4x200 relay (1:46.89) and fourth in the girls’ 4x400 (4:23.78). In field events, Reginald McNeil (6-2) and Riyan Parks (5-10) both contributed points in the boys’ high jump, while Keith Neal threw 41-3 in shot put.

Freshman J’riyana Edwards was a bright spot on the girls’ side, finishing eighth in shot put and placing 15th in discus.

North Lenoir Hawks: Fraser Owns the Sprints

Cassidee Fraser, just a freshman at North Lenoir, dominated the sprints. She won the girls 100 meters in 12.00 and followed it up with a gold in the 200 meters (24.87), before placing third in the 400 meters (59.32)—a triple-medal day that firmly establishes her as a state championship threat.

The Hawks' girls finished ninth in the team standings with 26 points, with all points coming from Fraser’s performances.

In throws, Gracin Reece placed sixth in boys discus (131-4), giving North Lenoir a small but notable showing on the boys’ side (3 points, tied for 22nd).

South Lenoir Blue Devils: Distance Dominance and a Gutsy Relay

South Lenoir’s boys delivered in the distance events, placing ninth overall with 35 points. Hayden Tyndall led the charge, finishing fourth in the 1600 (4:47.79) and third in the 3200 (10:50.45). He was supported by Jack Rouse (7th in 3200), and Jamison Gautier and Harper Vernon, who placed fifth and sixth respectively in the 800 meters.

Kole Burkett also claimed fifth in the 400 meters (51.08), and the Blue Devils’ 4x800 relay took third place (8:41.44), while the 4x400 team placed a strong fourth (3:32.28).

Kendarius Bey ran 23.64 in the 200 and 11.34 in the 100 prelims. In field events, Kara Harper tied for 10th in girls’ discus with a throw of 77-4, while Tameya Hooker placed 10th in the 100 hurdles prelims. Rachel Noble also competed in the 3200 meters for the girls, placing 12th.

The 2A State Championships await next, where Greene Central, Kinston, North Lenoir, and South Lenoir will all be represented by athletes looking to make their mark.