Ransby leads the pack at West
Apr. 3—GAMEWELL — Nigel Ransby is the fastest guy around, and the West Caldwell junior isn't ashamed of his blazing speed.
"I'm starting to peak about right now," Ransby said on Monday morning, taking a break from weight training. "I think I should be able to take it home. Not to be cocky, but don't think it will really be a challenge."
Ransby is referrling to Wednesday's Caldwell County track & field championship meet at Hibriten, where he faces runners from larger schools as opposed to the Class 2A CVAC competition he has dominated to this point.
Ransby reached the state meet in Greensboro a year ago in the 200-meter dash as well as anchor leg for 4X200 relay. This spring he is the man to beat whenever he hits the track in the 100, 200, 4X100 relay or 4X200.
""Obviously, he is a big part of the success those two teams are having this season," West coach Neil Ramsey said. "He is a junior, so we do have expectations for this year and his senior season."
Ransby's personal best is 11.1 seconds in the 100 and 22.7 in the 200.
"I try to PR (personal record) every meet," Ransby said. "But I haven't been able to PR lately, because I don't have anybody that's pushing me.."
The 2A West Region meet is at East Burke next month, followed by the state event at North Carolina A&T.
"I'm thinking a state championship," Ransby said. "I'm trying to win the state this year, but I want to go to nationals, and run again."
Don't mistake him for a brash youngster. He radiates modesty.
"He is an outstanding young man in the classroom and on the track," Ramsey said. "He always the team first."
Ransby is quick to point out his support group.
"I want to thank Jesus Christ, and my Dad," Ransby said. "He ran track since he was in high school. He coached me on the basics, on how to form run and get out of the blocks good.
"And the other coaches, pushing me, to be the best I can in practice. Not letting me get down, and keeping me humble."
He also knows he now competes with a mark on his back.
"There's a lot of guys this year that's at my neck that I beat last year," Ransby said. "They want me. They want to take my spot at states. "
He explains how his approach on the track must change when May rolls around.
"There's a lot of competition," Ransby said. "There's a lot of guys out there that are you, or better, that only do track — strictly track. I'm a two-sport athlete ... you got kids down there that run it the whole year."
Ransby was a member of West's basketball team, which advanced three rounds in the state playoffs.
And he's team player in coaching his teammates on the relays.
"They're going good," Ransby said. "I've got a bunch of young guys on it, so they've got to get use to the technique of getting the baton and handing it off. But other than that, it's going good."
With his breaking the tape on a consistent basis comes the assumption from the community that he is unbeatable.
"I didn't do as good my sophomore year as I thought I was going to do," Ransby said. "There's a lot of expectations, like with the school. They expect me every year to get better and better. Hopefully I'll place this year."
His coach stresses that Ransby doesn't boast — he lets his winning do the talking. After the state meet comes the nationals, also in Greensboro, in June.
Ransby reached that stage last summer in the 200 and 4X200.
"He is a quiet kid," Ransby said, "who leads by example — instead of verbally."
