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SPORTS
Brown denied showdown with Hurricane's Martin
Huntington HighÕs Daniel Brown, left, leads the boys 100-meter dash during the Class AAA high school regional track and field meet Thursday, May 14, 2009, at Hurricane High School.
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HURRICANE -- Count Huntington High's Daniel Brown among the surprised spectators Thursday night at the West Virginia Class AAA Region IV meet at Hurricane High School.
Brown, a junior sprinter for the Highlanders, had visions of hooking up with Hurricane's Terrell Martin for some duels in the 100 and 200. However, a knee injury sidelined Martin for the meet, Hurricane coach Mike Sawyer said. That opened the door for Brown in the regional and next week in the state since Martin would've been defending champion in the 200 and 400.
"I was down. I wanted to race him," Brown said after winning the 100 in 11.14 to earn a trip to the state meet next weekend at Laidley Field in Charleston. "I was getting psyched all week."
Brown was the favorite in the 200 and the Highlanders had the team to beat in the 4x100. Brown, C.J. Crawford, Tajh Gaulds and Tyler Hutchison make up the foursome. Brown finished as high-point winner with 28.
"This makes me a little more confident," Brown said. "I know I can do it. I have to stay focused."
Huntington's Xavier Humphrey clearned 6-6 to win the high jump.
Spring Valley's Savannah Rutherford won the 400 in a battle with Danielle Winningham of Cabell Midland and Josie Crouch of Hurricane, who's won the state the past two years. Winningham and Alex Dent of Hurricane shared high-point honors with 24.5.
Defending state champion Hurricane won the girls title with 128 points. Cabell Midland was second with 106 and Winfield third with 96. St. Albans captured the boys title with 114 points. Winfield was second with 104 and Cabell Midland third with 98.
All Class AAA regionals were held Thursday night. Joining Huntington and Hurricane at Region IV were Cabell Midland, Lincoln County, Nitro, Parkersburg, Parkersburg South, Ripley, Spring Valley, St. Albans and Winfield (first year in Class AAA).
The top four finishers in each field event and the top three in each track event advance to the state meet. The final four qualifying spots in the running events are taken from the next four-fastest times at the regionals, regardless of which meet.
Athletes can also qualify for the state meet field events by meeting minimum standards at the regionals. Those AAA standards are: Boys, shot put (46-0), discus (132-0), high jump (6-2), long jump (20-0), pole vault (11-6). Girls - shot put (32-0), discus (95-0), high jump (5-0), long jump (15-0), pole vault (8-6).
