The North Forsyth High School Men’s Indoor Track squad, which includes five runners capable of running the hurdles to the 1600m, has indeed taken its lumps the past few seasons, including a cringeworthy series of snafus in statewide competitions.
But if the team’s performance this season is any indication, the team may be getting into a winning groove.
In less than two years, the Vikings – led by coaches Michael Smith and Kenneth McClelland – have gone from only having a maximum of two state qualifiers to six.
Star runner Steve Stowe in action.
Junior Steve Stowe has led the team with consistent top finishes. His times place him among the best runners in the state. Four of Stowe’s teammates have also had their share of successes. Senior Marvin Fulwood is in his second season as a hurdler and sprinter and is competing behind Stowe. Juniors Gevontae Hardy and Brandon Gambrell are rising hurdles stars. The quartet has already secured a spot in the 4 x 400m at this month’s state finals in Winston-Salem. The runners also qualified for individual events.
Sophomore Gerrick Harmon is also improving steadily, as is June Lisa Foster, a star on the women’s squad. Foster is running very well in her first ever indoor season. She has already run a state qualifying time in the 55m dash.
“(The runners) are so unselfish,” said Smith. “They put aside their individual goals and say ‘Let’s do this as a team.’ That makes for a strong team, win or lose … Our focus is on just getting better at practice and every time we get on the track. If we continue to do that, then I think this is going to be a great year for North Forsyth Track and Field.”
