Westlake Lions Sweep AAAAAAA State Titles


Westlake pulled off the ultimate for a HS Track Program, when its Boys and Girls teams ran the gauntlet at 'Valhalla' and came out as State Champs. 

Boys Finals:


Murray and Anderson team up for 18 points in the 110h (photo by Dan McCauley)

Westlake began finals Saturday with 18 points, things began to change with the 4x100, though Parkview made a nice comeback the final leg taking a photo finish win in 41.51 by .03 over Westlake. The Lions scored in many events: Rashaad Pollard was 2nd in the 100m (10.61), killed it in 110h as Murray (13.84) and Anderson (13.92) swept the top 2 spots. Murray came back in the 300h taking 2nd (37.86), and with the title clinched, took 4 victory laps in the 4x400. Murray also won the LJ with a winning leap of 24-5. Torique King had a pair of 6ths in the HJ/LJ and Caleb Dixon tied for 6th in the HJ. 


Parkview is seen here nipping Westlake for 7A 4x100 Gold. (photo by Daniel McCauley)

Parkview made a strong effort during Saturday Finals, winning both Relays beginning with the 4x100 (41.51) and the 4x400 (3:15.79). The Panthers did not win any individual events, but scored in a few events Saturday Finals: Denarius Smith took 3rd in the 100m (10.73), Amir Harris placed 4th (200m), Justin Long (6th). In the 400m, Long took 4th and Harris 5th and Brian Hauch took Silver in the PV (15-0)

Shiloh had a nice meet taking 3rd with 44 points, led by Julian McDuffie's  300h win at  , 2nd in the TJ at 46-3.75, 3rd in the 400m at 47.97. The Generals also place 2nd in the 4x400 and 6th in the 4x100.3rd in the 400m at 47.97. The Generals also place 2nd in the 4x400 and 6th in the 4x100.

Sam Bowers of Milton won the 7A 3200 Thursday evening (photo by Dan McCauley)

Milton took the final Podium spot with 39 points, led by Sam Bowers 3200m win ( 9:16) and 3rd in the 1600 (4:16.41), Michael Malkowski took 2nd in the 1600 at 4:15.63. Matthew Mazzacano took Bronze in the PV with a bar of 14-0 and Davis Smith was 5th in the LJ with a mark of 22-8. 


Elija Godwin takes his first Gold in the 400m edging Brian Herron clocking a 46.40 (photo by Daniel McCauley)

Kyle Harkabus from East Coweta had a brilliant late surge to capture 7A 1600 Gold in 4:15.61 (photo by Daniel McCauley)


Terell Smith of South Gwinnett smoked it down in the 100m clocking a 10.39 (photo by Daniel McCauley)

Ryne Bevan of North Paulding, defended his 800m title posting a 1:53.60 (photo by Chris D'Aquin)


It was another duel between Herron and Godwin in the 200m, with Godwin taking the win at 21.01 (photo by Daniel McCauley)

Parkview 4x400 squad takes Gold. (photo by Daniel McCauley)

7A Girls:


Kennedy Simon leans for the win in the 200m over Sterling Lester of Marietta (photo by Chris D'Aquin)

Kennedy Simon was High Point Winner for 7A Girls (photo by Daniel McCauley)

It was an absolute battle of the Titans for the AAAAAAA Girls team title as previewed. It came down ultimately to the 4x400, as Westlake was protecting a 1 point lead over 2016 6A Champ McEachern and a 2 point lead over Campbell, how could this have closer? But, the Lady Lions had a little more juice left, winning the 4x400 by :05 going 3:47.34. Kennedy Simon had the meet of her life at Berry, tripling in her Individual events beginning with the LJ (which came down to a JD, on her and Alexis Jones' of Campbell's 2nd best mark as both had best marks of 18-11.75) then on Saturday, Simon swept the  200m dash (23.74) and 400m (52.94) The Lions began Saturday taking Silver in the 4x100 (46.69) Also making a difference for Westlake were: Jada Watson with a bar of 5-6 in the HJ, Trinity Willams took 4th in the 100h (14.72), Trinity Flagler 100m (5th- 12.08), Tai Brown 800 (5th-2:16.98) 

Alexis Jones of Campbell swept the Hurdles (photo by Daniel McCauley)

Campbell had a fantastic run in 7A Girls finishing 2nd atop the Podium only 4 points behind Westlake. Alexis Jones was fantastic sweeping both hurdles events in 13.92 and 42.34. She placed 2nd on a JD in the LJ with a mark of 18-11.75. Ashton Lindley took 2nd in the 300h (43.07) and 3rd in the 400m (55.02) The Spartans took Silver in the 4x400 (3:52.32), and Rachel Robertson won a Bronze in the TJ (38-09).

McEachern closed the Girls events by taking Gold in the 4x400. (photo by Daniel McCauley)

McEachern fought hard till the end, coming up 4 points short taking the 3rd team Podium spot. The Lady Indians began their campaign on the field Friday by sweeping the top 2 spots in the TJ behind Victoria Agyin's huge leap of 40-09, followed by team mate Royce Johnson's 39-10.25. Agyin picked up a 6th in the LJ. McEachern got off to a quick start Saturday, taking 4x100 Gold at 46.63. Nilaja Florence took Silver in the 100m at 11.87 (bested by .002) She later kicked up a 4th in the 300h (44.07) Rayna White scored hurdles points as well, taking 2nd in the 100h (14.22) and 7th in the 300h. Tamiya Roberts had a pair of 6ths in the 200/400. 

Mackenzie Ellison of Brookwood won the Girls 800m (photo by Chris D'Aquin)

Brookwood ascended the Podium 4th with 38 points led by Mackenzie Ellison's 800m win (2:14.70) and Bronze in the 1600m at 5:01.97 and  Caitlan Tate's 100m Gold at 11.87 and 5th in the 200m (24.50) The Lady Broncos took 4th in the 4x400 (3:53.10) and Imani Harrison took 6th in the 100h.  

Caitlan Tate of Brookwood outleans Nilaja Florence of McEachern by .002 in the 100m. (photo by Chris D'Aquin)

Elizabeth Funderburk of Colquitt won 3200 Gold for the Packers. (photo by Daniel McCauley)

COMPLETE COVERAGE

COMPLETE RESULTS

PHOTO GALLERIES