Jelani Watkins will compete for Eagles Elite in the 60m and 200m
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The Carl Lewis Inv. has always produced some top of the line track and field performances; this weekend won't be any different.
We've highlighted some events and disciplines you will want to pay attention to. Some of the state's and country's top high school talent will be competing in Houston and they will surely turn in some fast times as well as high heights and far distances.
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Girls Sprints
The Carl Lewis Invitational is known for bringing the speed. The girl's field this year will definitely continue that reputation.
Camryn Dickson (Clear Brook) and Christine Mallard (Mansfield Legacy) are two state meet qualifiers from last season who should provide a lot of the sprint highlights on the girl's side.
Dickson was the 2021 UIL 6A state meet third place finisher in the 100m and runner-up in the 200m and Mallard was sixth at the UIL 5A state meet 100m and was also runner-up in the 200m.
Texas A&M commit Dickson already ran 7.67 in the 60m and 24.26 in the 200m for her 2022 track and field season tune up, last weekend. Southern California commit Mallard ran 7.54 in the 60m, 24.36, in the 200m, and 54.69 in the 400m at the FasTrak Coach O Inv. back in December.
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Boys Sprints
Jelani Watkins (Klein Forest) had a great freshman season and capped it off at the UIL 6A state meet in the 200m. He has picked up where he left off indoors as is evident from his Texas A&M performances last week. Watkins ran 6.94 (60m) and 21.50 (200m) last week and will try to lower those marks this weekend.
Isaac Henderson (Shadow Creek) already has two indoor meets under his belt going back to December at the FasTrak Coach O event. Last week, he was lights out by going 6.85 (60m) and 21.90 (200m). He seems to be getting faster each meet.
There will be a lot more power packed into the boys sprints with spriners like DeKalon Taylor, Blake Gibson, and Jackson Owen lining up. You will not want to miss the 60m and 200m races.
Faith Mitchell will compete for St. Agnes in the shot put
Girls Field Events
Faith Mitchell (Houston St. Agnes) is already throwing like a BOSS. The TAPPS 6A shot put and discus champ is the top shot putter in the nation. An A&M win with a 46-1.25 throw and her 46-11 earlier in the season is what has her in the top national spot. She could improve on that this weekend in Houston. Look for Serena Ramirez and Toryn Turpin to help provide some excitement in the ring.
Boys Field Events
Turey Stoudemire (The Woodlands) finished the 2021 season as the UIL 6A state high jump runner-up and with a 6-8 PR. He has already jumped 6-7.75 for an indoor PR and just off his outdoor best. That height and the win at Texas A&M proves he is ready to sky high for his senior year. We could see a new personal best from Stoudemire this weekend.
The boys shot put will get things going this evening and there will be implements flying all over the place and nobody is safe.
Matthew Rueff (Katy Seven Lake) is another UIL 6A state meet runner-up who has intent on grabbing gold this year. He already has the ball rolling with his 60-9.25 win last week in College Station.
He will have his hands full with a host of competitors from last weekend coming back to inch closer to his top toss. Of those competitors are five boys who threw over 50 feet last week. A&M runner-up Cordell Nwokeji (Summer Creek) along with Alberto Orta (Friendswood), Kenneth Burgess (Klein Collins), Evan Thompson (Fort Bend Clements) and Justin Craft (Summer Creek) will all be looking to adjust the throwing pecking order in the always ever-so-tough Houston area throws.
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Malcolm Washington will compete for Summer Creek in the 400m
Boys 400m
Tonight will showcase the boy's 400m event, which could provide some lightning rods.
Malcolm Washington (Summer Creek) had an excellent meet at A&M by going 49.10 and 49.24 in the prelims and finals. He'll get plenty of competition from other top long sprinters like Michael Strange Jr., Chase Roberts, and Dylan Jacobs.
The heat sheets for the Carl Lewis Invitational have been released.
