Aaron Coleman and Tyrene McKenzie: The Official Richmond County Male Student-Athletes of the Week

ROCKINGHAM — As part of a special edition to close out the 2023-24 school year, senior Tyrene McKenzie and junior Aaron Coleman have been named the Official Richmond County Male Student-Athletes of the Week presented by Rockingham NC Self Storage.

The last two student-athletes at Richmond Senior High School still competing during the spring sports season, Coleman and McKenzie had successful outings at the NCHSAA 4A Mideast regional meet and are headed to the state championship.

Both multi-year returners to the 4A state championship event, McKenzie received his third career recognition and second this season. For Coleman, it’s his second career nod.

Athletic Profile: Aaron Coleman

Year: Junior

Spring sport: Track and field

Events: 110-meter hurdles

Varsity experience: 3 seasons

Other sports: Indoor track and field

Athletic Profile: Tyrene McKenzie

Year: Senior

Spring sport: Track and field

Events: High, long and triple jumps

Varsity experience: 3 seasons

Other sports: Indoor track and field

“CLASSROOM CREDITS” WITH AARON COLEMAN AND TYRENE McKENZIE

Participating in athletics during two of the three sports seasons throughout the school year, both Coleman and McKenzie stay busy in the classroom and on the track.

Graduation is quickly approaching for McKenzie, as he and the class of 2024 will celebrate June 7 at Raider Stadium.

To close out his high school career in the classroom, he’s enrolled in Career Management, Entrepreneurship I, Math, Public Safety I and Weight Training this semester.

“After graduation, I would like to go to community college,” McKenzie shared. “I’m still making up my mind, but I really like carpentry. I’ve taken carpentry classes at Richmond and have really liked it.

“My favorite memory this season was during a home meet and I jumped 6-4 in the high jump to set a new personal record.”

With still another year to go before walking across the stage, Coleman is winding down his junior academic year with four courses — Biology, Civic Literacy Honors, Math 3 and Spanish II.

“My favorite class this semester has been Civics,” Coleman said. “I like to learn about the past and I’ve always enjoyed history classes. Ms. Donham is a cool teacher.

“One academic goal I’d like to achieve during my senior year is to continue to get better grades and raise my overall GPA.”

“HEADING TO STATES” WITH AARON COLEMAN AND TYRENE McKENZIE

At the 4A Mideast regional meet last Saturday at Pinecrest High School, Coleman was perfect in his bid for states, while McKenzie qualified for two of his three events.

The top four finishers in each event advanced to the state championship meet.

After winning his qualifying heat with a season-best time of 14.61 seconds to advance to the finals in the 110-meter hurdles, Coleman faced the other top seven runners from the region.

Not letting a lingering hamstring injury slow him down, Coleman powered his way to a third-place finish. He crossed the finish line in 14.95 seconds in the finals.

With that finish, Coleman punched his ticket to his third consecutive state championship meet.

McKenzie, who was a high jump qualifier as a junior, competed in the long, high and triple jump events at regionals. He repeated as a high jump qualifier and added the triple jump to his states resume.

In his best finish of the day, McKenzie jumped a new personal record distance of 44 feet, 4 inches in the triple jump, placing third overall in the region.

Earlier in the day, McKenzie cleared the bar at 6 feet, 2 inches in the high jump and placed fourth (based on his number of attempts). That height was two inches shy of his personal record.

The two Raiders will compete in the 4A state championship meet at North Carolina A&T State University Friday.

“RAPID RESPONSE” VIDEO WITH AARON COLEMAN AND TYRENE McKENZIE

The Richmond Observer will publish its Official Richmond County Female Student-Athletes of the Week later.