Port Neches-Groves freshman Morgan Campbell.
Photo by Taylor Harvill

After reaching the state cross country championships in her first high school sport, Morgan Campbell decided to kick it up a notch.

A Port Neches-Groves freshman with a strong inner drive to run, Campbell owns the area's fastest girls time in four individual events after one month in the outdoor high school track and field season.

Campbell created a very strong impression in the 3,200-meter run last Friday at the 59th annual Nederland Bulldog Relays. Bulldog Stadium meet officials saw Campbell carve a full 15 seconds off her previous best in the two-mile event – more than 40 seconds faster than her nearest competitor.

Campbell only entered three events at Nederland, winning the 3,200, the 400 meters and running a lap on PN-G’s winning 1,600-meter relay squad. That foursome of Katherine Page, Jardin Cunningham, Makenna Bird and Campbell (on the anchor) also tops the area charts at 4:09.92.

Last week’s meets at Vidor and Nederland created new area-best performances this season in virtually half of the events. Here’s a glimpse at some of the standouts in Southeast Texas.

Caydon Ferrell

This Hamshire-Fannett strong man became the area leader in both the discus throw and shot put events.

A two-way tackle for the Longhorns football team, Ferrell joined Amier Washington of Little Cypress-Mauriceville as the second area thrower to surpass 50 feet in the shot.

Ferrell and the Longhorns competed last week at the Huffman Falcon Relays.

Keandre Jones

Port Arthur Memorial’s defending 5A state high jump champion began his track season at Nederland after a busy playoff-bound basketball campaign. Jones is one of six area athletes to have cleared 6-4 in the event but he likely will go higher.

Jones cleared 6-8 last May in Austin and Titans coach Darrell Granger preferred to have his senior stop at the height in Bulldog Stadium. Keandre likely will compete on his home turf next week when Memorial will host the Titan Relays.

West Brook relays

Coach Renwick Johnson really has the Bruins rolling here. West Brook’s boys and girls command the area best times in five of the six events.

Top sprinter Johnny Banks clocked a 21.96 at Nederland in the open 200 meters. These relay times also figure to produce improvements next week at Port Arthur’s meet.