Fort Dorchester boys edge Wave

SUMMERVILLE -- Zero. Nada. Zilch.

Two years ago, the Fort Dorchester boys' track team couldn't even score a point in the Azalea-Outback Track and Field Classic.

"I laid on the mat in the high jump pit," said Fort Dorchester coach Fred Hamilton, who was in his first year as coach. "I was thinking this was the worst day in my life."

On Saturday, Hamilton and the Patriots had reason to celebrate. They gained their first Outback title with a 109-99 victory over Summerville on a day that began with pleasant weather, but soon changed to gloomy and chilly conditions. But the weather couldn't keep the Patriots -- or the Summerville girls -- down.

Summerville won the girls title with a 114-90 victory over Wando. The Green Wave girls won their seventh straight Outback title, and eighth in nine years. They have won 13 titles in the 18 years the event has been contested.

But for the Fort boys, it was their first. The Patriots and the Green Wave tied last week at the Sandlapper Track and Field Classic as both teams tallied 98 points.

On Saturday, things fell into place for the Patriots, who clinched the victory with an impressive victory in the 4x400 relay.

The Patriots were off and running with a victory in the 4x100-meter relay, and Miguel Quinn captured gold when he won the 100-meter dash in 11.13. The seminal event of the day was the 200-meter dash, as the Patriots finished 1-2 to score 18 points.

Justin Gilliard edged out Quinn with a time of 22.57, which was .04 faster than Quinn.

Wando's Tim Tyler was the boys track MVP with victories in the 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs with times of 4:37.84 and 10:01.42.

Summerville's Dejon Wilkinson was the field MVP with a 45-2 1/2 effort in the triple jump, which was good for first place. He finished second in the high jump, clearing 6-2.

The Summerville girls topped Wando for the Outback title, and it could be a preview for the battle for the Class AAAA state championship.

The Green Wave girls thrive on the distance events and that gave them the win.

Brianna Blanton defended her Outback title in the 800-meter run, finishing a whopping nine seconds ahead of the pack. Sydney Hazel posted impressive victories the 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs.

The Wave put an exclamation point on their title with a victory in the 1,600 relay.

But keep an eye on the Warriors, especially their 4x800-meter team. They won Saturday's race with a time of 10:04.92, which was more than 23 seconds ahead of the pack. With hard work, the right conditions and a little luck, they could challenge to eclipse Summerville's state record of 9:27.24, which was set in 2007. Blanton was a member of the state record team.

Sprint Queen Semaj Tolliver of Cane Bay was named the girls track MVP after victories in the 100- and 200-meter dashes and second-place finish in the 400 relay.

Ridgeland's Shaquilla Middleton was named the field MVP with a victory in the high jump and a silver medal in the triple jump.