DURHAM - The thought of winning a regional track meet was more of a dream for Cary's Darrell Sheppard before Saturday's final race. Then again, there he was, on the track to start the 4-by-400-meter relay.

Sheppard and his teammates were racing mostly against time, as a strong Wakefield team was hoping to take its 4-A Mideast Regional title in the next heat.

Sheppard and the rest of the Imps ran as fast as they could. But Wakefield ran faster in winning the event.

And in a rare finish to a track meet, Cary's time of 3 minutes, 29.33 seconds was enough for seventh place - and two points toward the team's overall total - which resulted in the Imps winning the meet over Wakefield with 70.5 points. The Wolverines finished with 70.

"We've been talking about it the past two weeks that if the whole team could go [to state], it would be amazing," Sheppard said.

Cary almost accomplished its goal as 12 athletes qualified for the 4-A state meet Saturday at N.C. A&T in Greensboro.

Sheppard won the 200 in 22.13 and helped 4-by-200 and 4-by-100 relay teams finish second and fourth, respectively.

"I'm so happy to go to states for the first time," Sheppard said.

Cary coach Jerry Dotson was also impressed with Kway Taylor-Greene. He won the 400 in 49.49.

"He tells his teammates, in his own quiet way, this is what it's going to take to be good, and they have bought into it," Dotson said.

"We [as coaches] can take them to the meet and help get them organized, but when it comes down to it, somebody who they respect is what makes this team tick."

Another surprise in the boys meet was Millbrook winning the 4-by-100 relay. With the addition of Keith Marshall, the No. 1 football recruit in the state, to the lineup last week, the Wildcats won comfortably in 42.29.

Marshall also won the 100 with a 10.52.

"I think when you look at us we don't look as intimidating as other teams because we're one of the smaller teams," said Reggie Angry, who ran the second leg of the race to reach the state meet for the first time.

Wakefield made the last race of the meet competitive after Mitch Mallory won the 3,200. That set up David Riddleberger to anchor and lead the Wolverines in the 4-by-400 relay.

Wakefield's girls were impressive in winning the meet with 148 points.

Olicia Sharp led the Wolverines by winning the 200 (24.47) and finishing second in the 100.

She was also a member of the 4-by-200 relay team that took first place.

The Apex girls finished third with 63 team points, just three behind Millbrook for second. The Cary girls 4-by-800 relay team finished first as did Apex's 4-by-100 relay. Cary's Deanna Foshee won the 800 and 1600.

Fuquay-Varina (61) finished third for the boys competition thanks in large part to shot put and discus titles from Shawn Underwood.

Green Hope's John Mangum won the pole vault, while Holly Springs' Josh McClam won the long jump.