Lovett Repeats as AA Track Team Champs, SVA's DeLoach Perfect

Serena Tripodi (l) scored 20 points for Lovett in the Distance races, Stephanie Ward of Darlington (r)-Pic by Daniel McCauley

Lovett enjoyed a large lead heading into Finals with 50 points and the Lions were primed to toss up another 60, guess they will settle with 105 though defending their 2014 AA title. Tripodi did her thing sweeping the distance events the previous 2 days of competition and they added 30 on the Field. It almost wasn't fair as the Lions actually clinched their 2nd consecutive AA title after racing to Silver in the 4x100 (49.35) and Victoria Powell got 2nd (besting the old AA Class record) in the 400m at 54.84. Adding to the assualt were Nicole Teague placing 3rd in the 100m (12.19), Megan McGarrity picked up a 4th in the 800m (2:25), Khadejah Jackson set a new Class State Meet record in the 300h (43.45) and glided to 3rd in the 100h (15.30) and ended the day with 2nd in the 4x400 Relay (4:01) behind team runnerup Wesleyan.

Wesleyan seems to always bring a big contingent of Qualifiers to Albany, and sometimes they over-perform which was the case propelling them to 2nd on the AA Team Podium. The Wolves began the day in stellar position having 29 points having 6 opps to score. Their 4x400 squad flirted with sub 4: racing to the win at 4:00.13. Their 400m dash duo scored 11 points behind Cairo Booker's 3rd (58.90) and Sutton West's 4th (59.25) Kylie Reed raced to 3rd in the 800m (2:24) while Jayla Jones hurdled to 5th in the 300h.

Stephanie Reynolds of GAC was 2nd in the 100 Hurdles (red) and Khadejah Jackson of Lovett 3rd (pic by Daniel McCauley)

GAC had a very good meet placing 3rd with 55 points as Coach Kinser's thinclads (old school Cairo term) came up big. Beginning Finals with 23 points the Spartans began Saturday on a high note winning the 4x100 Relay in 48.12, Kennedy Street placed 5th in the 200m, Stephanie Reynolds won Gold in the 100 Hurdles posting a 15.01 and their 4x400 squad closed out scoring placing 4th (4:09)

Thomasville nabbed the final Team Podium spot with 52 points. Danisha Jones had set the table for success sweeping the Throws Thurday...They began Finals seizing 2nd in the 4x100 Relay (48.56) Sprinter Mahoghony Walter did her best winning a pair of Silvers in the 100/200 dashes with times of 12.04/24.67.Bremen and Gordon Lee placed 5th and 6th in the team standings, Jeff Davis and St.Vincents (separated by a point) were 7th and 8th.

Taylor DeLoach of St.Vincent's was too fast for AA 100 field clocking a 11.80..(pic by Daniel McCauley)

Bremen and Gordon Lee placed 5th and 6th in the team standings, Jeff Davis and St.Vincents (separated by a point) were 7th and 8th. Speaking about SVA, superstud Taylor DeLoach was perfect in her events, sweeping the short sprints winning the 200m in a new Class State Meet record of 24.39 and the 100m in 11.80. In Field Events she was the Top Performer All-Classes in the Long Jump with a mark of 19-11.50..WOW, how superb is that?

Chelsea Zoeller caught and passed Victoria Powell right at the finish line in an exciting climax to the AA 400m (Pic by Daniel McCauley)


Chelsea Zoeller poses by the Perfect Timing 'Digital Scoreboard' lol..(pic by Daniel McCauley)

Chelsea Zoeller and Victoria Powell, shared the top step in a display of good sportsmanship (pic by Daniel McCauley)

In a dramatic finish, Holy Innocent's Chelsea Zoller overtook Lovett's Powell at the line defending her 400m title as both surpassed the old AA Class State Meet records (54.67) Ellen Powell from Bleckley County ran a smart race claiming the 800m title at 2:21.