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The562’s coverage of Long Beach Poly is sponsored by Bryson Financial.
It’s looking like a strong year for the Long Beach Poly boys’ track and field team, where the Jackrabbits have depth in a variety of events as well as top-end talent. The reigning CIF-SS Division 1 champions will likely be favorites to repeat this year as well, and have a good shot at bringing home a state championship to end the season.
Their longtime coach, Crystal Irving, is making sure the Jackrabbits don’t get too far ahead of themselves. “Yes we had an amazing year last year but that’s in the past,” she said. “We have to go off of this year, and everyone has a bullseye on their back. Everyone’s going to need to do their part.”
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The headliner for the Jackrabbits is one of the top names in the country, senior Georgia signee Xai Ricks, who is one of the top high school runners in the country in the 400 and the 800, and who Nike named a member of its Elite youth team. The Jackrabbits have tons of NCAA level talent who have passed through their ranks and several Olympians as well. Irving said Ricks has a chance to write his name in the history books.
“He’s right up there, the versatility where he can run from the 100 to the 800 and possibly even the hurdles, he’s just special,” she said.
The question of where Poly will run Ricks when the postseason comes is a large one, statewide. He could run on the team’s 4×100, 4×400, or 4×800 relays, and could run anywhere from the 200 to the 800 at the state meet level as an individual, in addition to potentially pursuing the hurdles.
“It’s his senior year and he’s signed his scholarship, so we’re allowing him to have a lot of say in his postseason,” said Irving.
Ricks is far from the only top-end talent for the Jackrabbits. A few weeks into the season, freshman Ben Harris currently has the top time in the state in the 100 while sophomore Malachi Dawson has the top time in the state in the 200, and the Jackrabbits’ 4×100 and 4×400 are among California’s best as well.
“Both of those young men are amazing sprinters and football players with very bright futures, they really push each other at practice,” said Irving. “Benjamin’s goal is to beat Malachi and anyone else on the team.”
Poly features an embarrassment of riches in the sprints with Harris, Dawson, Caliph Johnson, Jaylen McNeil, and freshman Julius Johnson, who’s on the Jackrabbits’ 4×100 and who will also high jump this year. Poly has plenty of depth in the middle distances as well with returning sophomore standout Noah Smith working his way back from injury, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame transfer Gus Armstrong, and freshman Darieon Shufford.
In the distance races, Poly will look to Archie Byrom, Anthony Hernandez, Luke Deeble, and Shane Gillogly. They also have a young hurdler with a bright future in Lynnox Newton, and a pole vaulter in sophomore Ben Montooth.
Irving and her staff will have some work to do to configure relays and move runners in and out, but that’s a good problem to have.
“We’re excited for the season and to see how our boys team will continue to develop,” said Irving.
