Craig Webb’s huge day powers championship Owen performance
Warhorses take four first-place finishes in NCHSAA 3A Track & Field State meet
Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
May 16, 2026
Owen senior Craig Webb celebrates one of three state championships, May 14. The distance runner claimed first place in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 meter races, increasing his total of individual state titles in the 2025-26 academic year to six. Courtesy photo
Even before he arrived in Greensboro, May 14, to compete in the 2026 NCHSAA 3A Track & Field State Championship, Owen senior Craig Webb had proven himself adept at responding to big moments. Nearly 3.5 miles and three gold medals later, the distance runner returned to the Swannanoa Valley with the most accomplished individual athletic year in Warhorse history.
Webb, who claimed a cross country championship last fall and two titles in the subsequent indoor track & field season, raced to victory in the 800 meter, 1,600 meter and 3,200 meter events, increasing his career total to six. Joining him on the podium was Owen sophomore Cam McDonald, who emerged as the state champion in the discus throw.
Webb entered the championship meet, hosted at the Marcus T. Johnson Track at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, as the West Regional champion in all three distance running events. He began the academic year with a cross country season in which he finished first in seven of 10 races, including a 16:20.72 performance on Halloween in the championship meet, nearly 28 seconds faster than the second place finisher. He continued his title run through the winter, amassing nine top finishes in the 1,000, 1,600, 3,200 meter races.
While his previous experience in the two longest runs boosted his confidence heading into the outdoor championship meet, Webb was less certain about his strategy for the 800 meter run, in which he finished second, May 9, in the Western Highlands Conference Championship.
“I only competed in two events in the indoor championship, so I wanted to prove to myself that I could run three events in one day, and actually do well in them,” he said. “I finally ran the 800 meter during the outdoor season, and I ended up being reasonably good at it. I actually ended up with the top time in the state, and that made me think I might really be able to compete in all three.”
Webb, with a time of 4:31.03, outpaced Union Academy senior Yariel Rodriguez in the 1,600 meter run in his first race of the day, and with the 800 meter competition approaching, began considering strategies for the event.
“There were definitely nerves, especially considering I’ve never run that race in that setting,” he said. “But, I felt confident in my ability to run it well. I knew my competition, knew their strategies, and really tried to work around that.”
Webb opted to conserve energy on the first of the two-lap race, before employing a well-timed burst on the final approach.
“He is a guy with an extreme amount of confidence,” said Owen track and field head coach Bob Sadlemire, who completed his final season coaching the program. “I don’t think anyone can beat his kick, because he’s so strong and has this huge stride. He is just so comfortable with what he’s doing out there.”
Owen sophomore Cam McDonald topped his personal record by more than 11 feet, May 14, with state championship discus throw of 141 feet, 10 inches. Photo by Fred McCormick
Webb raced to a 1:59.25 finish in the 800 meter event, over 2 seconds faster than Surry Central sophomore Jack Hardy, who placed second. He closed out his day by claiming his third gold medal in the 3,200 meter run, marking his fifth top finish in that event this season, adding to his indoor track total of four.
Not only is Webb’s six individual state championships an Owen record, it is also one that is likely to remain in place for years to come, according to his coach.
“A lot of kids at his level want to just produce great times,” Sadlemire said. “But, what kid goes out and wins six state titles in a single school year? He really has, through natural ability and confidence, pushed himself to where he is.”
It’s an accomplishment that the student-athlete, who will attend University of North Carolina Asheville next fall, is still processing.
“It feels great,” Webb said. “Especially, considering all the great runners that have come through Owen in years past. I hope it helps inspire future generations, like my younger brother at (Owen Middle School) and his teammates.”
Although he completed his high school with a championship sweep, Webb is not taking time to celebrate his most recent performance.
“I have a couple more races coming up, but obviously not for Owen, so I’m training to stay ready for those,” he said.
While Webb’s path to a championship day was clear, heading into the meet, McDonald, who was ranked 11th in the discus throw, possessed an understated confidence that came from relentless preparation for his event. Following a second-place finish in the WHC championship and a fourth-place showing in the West Regionals, the two-sport athlete knew he was capable of surprising the field of competitors.
“I only threw a 123-1 in the regional meet, but I was throwing in the 140s, even 150s, pretty consistently in practice,” McDonald said.
He worked with shot put and discus throwing coach Logan Melton to hone his technique, as he prepared for the state competition.
“I really wasn’t as confident going into regionals as I should’ve been, but once we got to the meet, coach told me, ‘you don’t have anything to lose,’ and all of the work we did really brought my confidence back,” McDonald said. “Honestly, it all kind of came together with one throw.”
Unleashing a personal record with a discus throw of 141 feet and 10 inches, McDonald topped the second place finisher by more than 4 feet.
“When I threw it, I watched it glide through the air, and it was an amazing moment. It was like everything came together, and all the time I put into this just clicked,” he said. “I ran over and hugged my coach, and I can’t really explain it, but it was really a feeling of bliss.”
The two-year varsity football player eclipsed his previous top performance by over 11 feet.
“It really motivates me to really show my teammates that hard work can get you places.” McDonald said. “It sets the bar high for my junior year, and, in both sports, I want to be an example of the kind of effort it will take to keep getting better,.”
While the 4X800 meter Warlassies relay team of Jordan Robertson, Aleah Meyers, Evelyn Brown and Ava Grant finished fifth, with a time of 10:54.83, the 4X200 relay team of Ady Draper Kyasia Jones notched a 9th place showing.
The Warhorses, with only two entries in four state championship events, finished sixth overall.
“With just a few more kids we could’ve won a state title, as a team,” Sadlemire said. “This is my last year, before retirement, and these guys really made it special for me. I felt fortunate to be a part of that.”