South Stokes and North Stokes had a strong showing at the NCHSAA 1-A Track and Field Championships last Saturday at N.C. A&T, but neither the Lady Sauras nor the Lady Vikings climbed the women’s team standings.

The Lady Sauras finished tied for 18th with Pender with 15 points, and North Stokes finished in a three-way tie for 36th with two points.

The Lady Sauras earned four places in all, and North Stokes took two. Jodie Lemons led South Stokes with two trips to the podium, but Michaella Phillips garnered the highest standing with a second-place finish in the discus throw.

Phillips set a new personal record by over three feet with a throw of 109-09, but Judith Dillashaw of Avery made a throw of 117-09 to win the event. Phillips had been seeded third coming into the championship meet.

Lemons finished in the top eight in the 1,600-meter run and the 3,200-meter run. Lemons finished seventh in the 1,600-meter run in 5:36.99, just behind Avery’s Kate Griewisch (5:36). South Stanly’s Jade Farlow won the race in 5:19.02.

Lemons was eighth in the 3,200-meter run in 13:01.33. Hendersonville’s Kristen Stout won in 11:39.7.

Stephanie Mitchell earned South Stokes’ other spot at the podium. Mitchell finished fifth in the 800-meter run in 2:31.48. Farlow and Hendersonvile’s Tara Lindeman battled down the homestretch for the win. Lindeman got the edge at the finish line in 2:15.56, while Farlow finished in 2:15.62. Both runners fell at the line after finishing.

South Stokes nearly had another athlete place, but controversy interfered. Chakira Simmons had qualified for the finals in the discus throw by winning the first flight. However, another competitor complained about the size of the throwing circle, which was later judged to be too small. After officials fixed the problem, everyone in the first flight had to throw again, and Simmons did not advance.

Coach Keith Gore said he was proud of the Lady Sauras, and the future is looking bright since Lemons and Mitchell still have three more years to compete.

Likewise, North Stokes had a young team this year, and one of the highlights was freshman Shandellah Martin, who finished eighth in the shot put with a throw of 31-03. Martin had been seeded 16th coming into the meet after a short throw at the regionals, but Coach Rodney King said Martin worked hard to get things right in practice last week.

“Shandellah did a great job in practice before the state meet,” said King. “She had some bad throws at the regional, which seeded her low for the state meet. She had thrown over 33 feet this year and hit 34 feet a couple times in practice.”

King said Martin, who also ran in the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash and on the 4X200 meter relay, has been a spark for the young Lady Vikings.

“She is the best freshman we have had run track in several years,” said King. “She led the team in scoring this year, which we have never had a freshman do that since I have been coaching. She is a very coachable young lady and is welling to work to improve her skills.”

North Stokes’ 4X800 meter relay team also finished eighth in 10:46.28. East Wilkes won the event in 9:57.28.

Taylor York and the Lady Vikings’ 4X200 meter relay team each just missed a trip to the podium. York cleared 4-10 to finish ninth in the high jump. Four athletes cleared five feet, and four others cleared 5-02. South Robeson’s Shaquiela Robinson won on criteria.

The Lady Vikings’ 4X200 meter relay team finished ninth in 1:53.08, just behind South Robeson (1:53.07). Winston-Salem Prep won the race in 1:43.28.

Jania Bogle of Princeton was the women’s MVP after winning the 100-meter dash and the 200-meter dash and finishing second in the long jump.

Results

Team scores: Winston-Salem Prep 63, West Wilkes 49.33, Bishop McGuinness 39, Hendersonville 38, Avery 37.33, Albemarle 32, South Stanly 32, Polk County 31, Swain County 30, Princeton 28, Jordan-Matthews 23, East Columbus 23, East Wilkes 22, Cherokee 22, Pamlico 19, Robbinsville 17, Mount Airy 16, Pender 15, South Stokes 15, Perquimans 13, Topsail 13, Cherryville 12.33, South Robeson 11, James Kenan 11, West Montgomery 10, Southside 9, East Carteret 9, N.C. School of Science and Math 9, Northside 8, Raleigh Charter 7, Hayesville 7, Union 6, Rosewood 5, Lejeune 3, Dixon 3, Williamston 2, Thomasville 2, North Stokes 2, Wallace-Rose Hill 1

Shot put: Amanda Cagle (Cherokee) 37-00, Quiesha Miller (Pa) 34-06.5, Courtney Melvin (East Bladen) 32-04.5, Kelsey Jackson (Cherokee) 31-08.5, Dillashaw (A) 31-06, Mary Baker (S) 31-04.5, Alicia Brewer (N) 31-03.25, Martin (NS) 31-03