GREENSBORO —
Ayden-Grifton's Jarvis Murphy showed up at the state 1-A track and field championships with no shortage of pressure or expectations.
After running the best 400-meter time at the regional a week earlier, Murphy went to North Carolina A&T with a championship-or-bust attitude.
He didn't disappoint.
Murphy improved on his regional time of 50.86 seconds — which was already the top time among 1-A athletes in the state — and scorched his way to Ayden-Grifton's first track championship since 1995 by running a 50.48 on Saturday.
"To be serious, I was nervous," Murphy said. "I knew it was my last race. I have been working hard for so long, and I just knew I had to win it."
Murphy also had a part in the Chargers' 4x400 state runner-up performance. Murphy, Justin Whitaker, Jordan Cayton and Matt Dougherty ran a time of 3:30 in the 1,600 meters to take second.
"My teammates, we've all just pushed one another," Murphy said. "Being at Ayden-Grifton, I can't tell you, it's been fun. Everybody's so close that it's like a family."
The A-G 4x800 team took sixth with a time of 8:33.55.
In the field events, Devoe Mewborn led the Chargers with his fourth-place finish in the discus (138 feet, 6 inches). Edward Wooten took sixth in the shot put (45-7 1/2).
"I just thought the team did phenomenal," A-G coach Jeff Dufour said. "It really was a special day, and it's been a special year."
Overall, the Chargers took sixth at the 1-A state championships. From the squad, Ayden-Grifton graduates 12 seniors.
Cayton will specialize in mid-distance events for the U.S. Military Academy track and field team.
Murphy wants to continue his track career, and is weighing offers from North Carolina-Wilmington and North Carolina Central.
"I want to thank my family and God for my opportunity," Murphy said. "I'm still thinking about it, but I'm leaning toward Central right now."
