By By Matthew Nascone
Nakita Myles and Desmond Hunter are two names known on the football field for the Northview High School Chiefs, but so far this season, these two athletes have made their presence known on the track and in the field.
Myles and Hunter have each broken a school record for the Chiefs track and field team. In the opening meet of the season in Pine Forest, Fla. Feb. 27, Hunter tossed the shot put 48-8 feet for the school record and first place in the meet and Myles jumped 20-10 feet in the long jump for the record and the gold medal.
"These guys did really well and I was happy for them to now be in the record books," NHS head coach Mark Heaton said.
Heaton said the team has not finished meets at the top, but the goal is to get better and send more individuals to the district competition than last year.
"This will be a better year for us as far as placing kids in the district competition," he said. "We already have two who have already qualified for districts."
The Chiefs have competed twice at Pine Forest, on Feb. 27 and March 6 and Heaton took six members of the team to the Justin Gatlin Invitational in Woodham, Fla. March 3.
At Pine Forest Myles and Deonta Davison set personal bests in the 100-meter dash. Davison came in at 10.9 seconds and Myles was right behind him at 11.0 seconds.
"Nakita and Heavy D are always out there pushing each other and that is what they need to get better," Heaton said. "If they can continue to do that all season I would not be surprised to see at least one of them at sectionals."
The team's next meet is set for March 22 in Brewton against Escambia County High School, host T.R. Miller and several other schools.