At the end, the Apex girls finished just ahead of runner-up Cary 163-132. Cary's boys returned the favor with a conference-best 143 points, well ahead of second-place Apex (111).

“This is the day the team aspect supplants the individual aspect,” Apex coach Roy Cooper said.

With next week Regionals contestants pretty much solidified, Wednesday was for conference titles and bragging rights.

On the boys' side, Cary finished first with 143 points, Apex second at 111, Fuquay-Varina 106, Athens Drive 87, Green Hope 71, Middle Creek 49, Panther Creek 42, Holly Springs 37, Lee County 12.

For the girls, Apex was first at 163 points, Cary 132, Green Hope 97, Fuquay-Varina 68.5, Panther Creek 63, Lee County 44, Athens Drive 42, Holly Springs 25, Middle Creek 22.5.

Cooper’s best example was using high jump specialist Mary Theresa Montgomery in the triple jump as well as the long jump. An effort more daunting when the high jump and triple jump competed at the same time. Montgomery took second in the high jump earning eight out of possible ten points, but she also earned six points in the triple jump and one point in long jump for a combined 15 points.

“Before, I wanted to get first place in the high jump, but I’m happy I contributed more to the team,” Montgomery said.

Cooper may be more surprised with the result of Alexis Murphy winning the triple jump by a margin of over three feet. Murphy’s mark of 37’ 9.25” was better than Maya Worth’s 34’ 6.50” of Green Hope.

Why was it surprising? It was Murphy’s first time competing in the event. Ever. Redundancy aside, she had only practiced the triple jump for the first time last week. Murphy also won the long jump and 100 and 200 yard dash to earn 40 points and the Tri-Nine Field MVP.

Cooper’s only explanation for Murphy’s surprise performance, “Maybe we’re good teachers, or rather, she’s a good learner,” Cooper said with a smile. One individual who may have helped his team the most was Cary’s Mohamed Abushouk who competed in four events winning them all.

Abushouk, the 3200 meter specialist, also competed in the 3200 relay, 1600 meter run, and 800 meter run. Abushouk paced Cary to a 1-2-3 finish in the 800 with Derrick Hudson finishing second, and Abushouk’s little brother Bakri in third.

“He is an incredible kid,” Cary coach Jerry Dotson said. “Mohamed came to me yesterday and told me he wanted to be in any event we needed him,” Dotson added.

Abushouk stated he felt normal running the 3200, but added, “You can try and forget you’re not tired, but your legs don’t forget.”

Abushouk earned the Tri-Nine Running MVP. Fuquay-Varina’s Shawn Underwood won the Men’s Tri-Nine Field MVP and Athens Drive’s Allie Johnson and Cary’s Deanna Foshee shared the Women’s Tri-Nine Running MVP.

Another notable was Panther Creek’s Cassie Crawford tying her personal record with a 12’6” pole vault. A mark that would have place second in the Men’s pole vault behind Cary’s James Wilson’s 13’0” jump.

Panther Creek’s coach Todd Ferrell believes Crawford can reach the 13-foot height.

“If she gets it in her head, she can do it,” Ferrell said.