* Millbrook's Dillon Leacock scored the nation's top time in the 400mH this weekend at the Rams HS Invitational
Photo Credit: Perry McLeod/NCRunners
- - -
With just one season left of his high school career, Dillon Leacock is seemingly on a mission.
The Millbrook (NC) High School senior took aim at his 400 meter hurdle PR on Saturday at the Rams High School Invitational in Columbia, South Carolina, and once again proceeded to take it down with dramatic effect, capturing a US No. 1 leading time of 53.91 seconds as he dipped below 54 seconds for the fourth time of his career.
His effort was part of an incredible 13 performances inside the nation's top 50 efforts at the meet overall.
But Leacock is surely not finished. While a PR is certainly a great achievement, his 400mH best stands at No. 18 in North Carolina history.
A total of 13 athletes in the state have broken 53 seconds, while four more have gone under 52. Perhaps Leacock has his eyes on those times soon enough.
Only one athlete in North Carolina over the last decade has achieved a feat under 52 seconds, with Southern Durham's Khaleb McRae going 51.47 in 2019 at the AAU Junior Olympic Games.
Clayton's Johnny Dutch owns the state record and a US No. 9 all-time high school effort of 50.07, which he captured in 2007.
But Leacock's performance was one of many on Saturday.
Just as distinguished was Airport's (SC) Jayla Jamison, who dropped a US No. 3 wind-legal 200m time of 23.65 against (SC) Kaniya Johnson (24.19, US No. 17) and then continued on with a US No. 25 effort of 54.89 for 400m.
While Johnson took runner-up honors to Jamison in the 200m, she was without question the most dominant short sprinter, securing a US No. 6 wind-legal 100m performance of 11.74.
Then there was Providence Day School (NC), which touted senior Falon Spearman and saw a breakthrough performance from the veteran.
Spearman captured a 400mH PR of 59.84, which landed at US No. 2 overall. She also secured a finish of 13.98 seconds for US No. 19.
Over in boys action, Ben Lippen's (SC) Prescott Jefferson put his name on the map with a US No. 5 200m time of 21.23 and a similar-effort of 10.59 in the 100m, good for US No. 13.
Catawba Ridge's (SC) Sam Rich battled with Eastside's (SC) Spain Vaughan in the 1,600m, with Rich earning a narrow win in 4:13.17, while Vaughan followed in 4:13.99.
AC Flora's (SC) Robert McCray skied for a high jump clearance of 6-8.
Providence Day also saw quality performance from Bryce Scott, who went 48.54 in the 400m, and Morgan Boonshaft, who secured a 3,200m time of 11:06.01.
Related Links: