CHAPEL HILL - The lead changed four times in the 4-by-800 girls relay race at the N.C. High School Athletic Association 4A Indoor Track Championship on Saturday. But the final lead change is all that matters.

Luckily for Green Hope, that put the pressure on junior Maura McDonnell.

After Broughton pulled out to a 100-meter lead on the third leg, McDonnell ran a brilliant anchor leg and brought the Falcons from third place to first place. Green Hope's relay won the state title and set a new state record (9:25.85).

"I was a little surprised I was in third. I really wasn't ready for that I guess," McDonnell said.

Green Hope, Broughton and Southeast Raleigh all led during the first leg.

"I just concentrated on keeping my head down and just running," said McDonnell. "Once I passed the first one, I was OK. Then I had my teammates (Lauren Colberg, Erica Amatori and Sarah Alexander) rooting me on, and that's all I needed to push me through."

Green Hope's state record was the area highlight from the day's events at the Eddie Pope Field House on the UNC-Chapel Hill campus, but far from the only notable performance.

McDonnell also finished second in the 1,000-meter run. Her teammate Amatori was second in the 1,600-meter run and third in the 3,200-meter run.

Also representing from Green Hope was runner-up pole vaulter Rayna Yvars.

Apex's Alexis Murphy finished second in the 55-meter dash.

On the boys side, Fuquay-Varina's Brian Davis was the only individual champ, winning his first state title by running the 500-meter in 1:05.21.

Cary's Bakri Abushouk was second in the 1,600-meter run.