By Eric Lusk
Sport Editor
elusk@elkintribune.com

Starmount’s boys track team is going to be tough to catch in the Mountain Valley 2A Conference this season.

The Rams remain undefeated heading into this week, winning their latest meet April 1 at home against North Wilkes and Ashe County.

The latest competition one was no contest, with the Starmount boys piling up 113 points. North Wilkes was second with 43 points, while Ashe was third with 29.

The Rams placed first in eight individual events and all four relays.

“My men’s team is looking strong at this point of the season,” coach Kristi Gaddis said.

Starmount has depth and talent in most events, resulting in lots of points.

Reigning conference champion Antonio McClelland continues to rule the jumps. The sophomore won the triple jump, long jump and high jump last week, extending his personal best in the triple by half an inch to 43 feet, 1.5 inches. McClelland also anchored the winning 4x100 meter relay.

Garrett Johnson gave Starmount more points by taking second place in the long jump and triple jump, and earning third in the high jump.

Aaron Combs continues to run successfully in the middle distances. He won the 400 and 800 meters last week, with a comfortable victory margin of 17 seconds in the 800. Combs anchored the first-place 4x400 and 4x800.

Austin Pope, who trains with Combs, placed second in the 400. Pope also ran legs on the 4x400 and 4x800 teams.

“We swept the open 400 with first through fourth places,” Gaddis said. noting Blaine Casstevens, who was third, and Rivera, who was fourth. “Matthew Walker and Bobby Trivette have really stepped up to help out the team in shot and disc. Seniors Rashaun Gaither, Keith Bryant and Shane Bryant have been an essential part of the relays.”

Walker won the discus, with Trivette taking third in the Rams’ meet last week. Trivette and Walker then finished 2-3 in the shot. Other winners on the boys side for Starmount included Justin Triplett (pole vault) and Keith Bryant (200 meters).

Ashe County edged Starmount 79-74.5 in the girls meet. North Wilkes finished third with 24.5 points.

The Lady Rams won seven individual events and one relay.

Julianna Prim, new to track and field, aced the shot put and discus. Meme Brown won the open 400, then anchored the winning 4x400 relay team. Kelli Bonner set a new personal record in the triple jump (29-7.5) on her way to first place. India Martin kept her undefeated streak alive in the 100 meters.

Freshman Olivia Gough had the day’s best high jump (4-8). Danielle Layell won the pole vault, with Starmount taking the top four places.

“We had a commanding lead after the field events, but we  did not have a good running day,” Gaddis said. “ My women’s team still needs some work on hand-offs and starts. Ashe had very strong 4x1 and 4x2 relays with perfect excution.  They are strong team and my  team  is looking forward to meeting Ashe again in three weeks.”