WILSON — Sunlight turned into dusk.
Dusk faded into night.
As the lights illuminated the Beddingfield High School track, the Spring Creek boys’ indoor track and field team capped a banner season by hoisting their first-ever Neuse Six 2A Conference championship trophy Thursday evening.
James Cabrera and Jalen Johnson combined for five individual titles as the Gators racked up 132 points, including an eye-popping 116 in running events. Eastern Wayne finished a distant second with 86 points, followed by Goldsboro (68), Princeton (41), Beddingfield (36) and North Johnston (26).
“For three years, we have built our program from having 18 total athletes in the 21-22 season to having 45 athletes this season … hard workers progressing towards a common goal, while achieving their individual goals,” SC head coach Ian Combest said. “James Cabrera, Jalen Johnson, Bertin Avilez, Maria Melchor and Janice Lopez lead the way as some of our top performers across a wide number of events, but every single person throughout the entire season contributed nothing shy of an entirely cruciel element of grind and comaraderie that built the Spring Creek track team.
“New athletes experimenting with triple jump and long distance, and veteran athletes doing what they’re best at delivered a well-earned and needed win for the Gators.”
Cabrera secured gold medals in the 1,000-, 1,600- and 3,200-meter events. Johnson placed first in the 300- and 500-meter dashes.
The Gators won the 4×8 relay, and crossed the finish line second in both the 4×2 and 4×4 relays.
Gavin Canale (500m), Edgard Jimenez (1,600m), Alex Mesa Morales (3,200m) and Zachary Macanas (high jump) each wound up third in their respective events.
Fourth-place performances were recorded by Canale (55m hurdles), Jimenez (3,200m), Morales (1,000m), MK Haynes (shot put), James Pearson (1,600m) and Logan Green (triple jump).
On the girls’ side, the Gators’ 4×4 relay earned gold.
Maria Melchor ended up second in both the 55m dash and 300m. Marjorie Aguilar Venezuela (3,200m) and Kandi Lopez (shot put) each returned to “The Swamp” with a silver medal (second place) in their respective events.
The 4×2 and 4×8 relays each finished second.
Da’Niyah Harris collected a bronze medal (third place) in the shot put, while Kymani Beverly was third in the 1000m.
In all, the two talent-rich squads combined for a program-record 39 medals – 13 gold, 20 silver and six bronze. SC’s girls logged 87 points in the six-team meet, good enough for second place behind Beddingfield, which piled up 107 points.
