Well here we are in March and that means the Georgia track and field season is in full swing. There are a bunch of meets going off over the weekend (assuming no weather cancellations) and Georgia MileSplit will be on site getting coverage for 3 of them with the Eagle's Landing Chick-fil-a Invitational, the Carrollton Invitational, and the Atlanta Games Invitational.
Atlanta Games
This appears to be the big meet of the weekend, and hopefully the weather cooperates. There's quite a bit to get excited about in the sprints and hurdles for this meet. On the boys side you've got Almar Clark, Marcus Robinson, and Devin Ingram as sub 11 coming in as well as Dalen Penson in the 110 hurdles. Steven Brown will also battle Robinson in the 200m. The 300m hurdles might be the race of the meet as you've got Xzavian Blackman battling with Kyshon Kenney and Kenari Tigner as all 3 have been under 40. And the 400m dash with feature Collin Seals as he tries to improve his already fast PR of 47.73 and hold off Christian Thompson and Justin Warner. Warner is also scheduled to double back in the 800 as well and has by far the fastest PR of 1:53, but that's a tough double to pull off. With this much sprint talent expect the relays and field events to be strong as well with Langston Hughes potentially leading the way in the 4x1, 4x2, and 4x4.
On the girls side we've got Sophia Richard who has gone under 12 in the 100 and what could be an awesome battle in the 100m hurdles between Zaniyah Jones, Danayja Harper, and Hannah Cheek who are all well under 15 seconds. In the 200 we have a rare situation where the top 2 seeds are tied on PR coming into the meet as Kiley Mitchell and Kaseiana Meriweather have both run 24.89. However, don't be surprised is Westlake stud Jaden Billings takes this one as she steps up in this one. But the event of the entire weekend could be the girls 300m hurdles at this meet as superstar state record holder Marianna Wright travels to the ATL to battle the best in the state. She will have Harper and Jones from Westlake to push her as they all 3 are capable of running very fast. But. Wright could be attempting this coming off of the 400m which is a very challenging double to do as she will try to win that as well against Mitchell. I hope you stay until the very end for this one as Monroe and Westlake will battle it out in the 4x400m as both teams have gone under 4:00 already this year and could put up a fast time as they battle each other.
Eagle's Landing Chick-fil-a
The other high profile sprint session this weekend will take place over at Eagle's Landing Christian. Zion Ragins is slated to make his season debut at this one and comes in with a PR of 10.40 as he will try to hold off a couple of sprinters who are out to fast start in Dominiq Northington and Xavier Woodard. But don't overlook anybody in this one with 7 total guys at sub 11 and Tyler Stewart, Jerome Harper, and Jaiquavius Hill all set to make their debuts as well while Donovan McCoy has already dipped under 11 so far this year too. most of those guys are doubling back in the 200m as well while Northington will attempt the triple with the 110m hurdles as well. Look for Woodland in the 4x1 and Jonesboro in the 4x2. In the field John Pacely is strong in both throwing events and should have some solid marks if the weather cooperates. On the girls side look for strong performances from Autumn Harrell in the 100, Mattison Rowell and Kori Moore in the 100 hurdles, Qitarah Castlin in the 200, Moore in the 300 hurdles, and Woodland in the 4x100.
Carrollton
The other meet where we will have coverage will be out west as some strong programs face off in a variety of events with a nice blend of talent in sprints, distance, and field events. For boys distance you've got Hagan Russell leading the way with Parker Chase doing the, uh, chasing. Eli Griggs leads Noah Martinson as the top two seeds in the 3200 both right around 9:20. and Omari Sawyer and Elijah Thomas are the top seeds in the 800 at 1:56. Kendrick Price and Cooper Giddens are the top seeds in the 100 and 200 while Bryce Wilson and Navan McCoy lead the way as the top hurdles seeds. Jared Moore is the throwing stud of this meet with his 177-5 in the Discus while Nicholas Crosswhite is over 7 in the high jump and over 25 in the long jump.
For the girls in Carrollton you've got Effie Ward leading the way in the 1600 and Anna Warren set to battle Katie Casto in the 3200. Destiny Jenkins is the only girl who has gone under 12 so far in the 100 and is also the top seed in the 200 by almost a full second while India Thorpe and Madison Maxey are both sub 15 in the 100 hurdles. Thorpe will double back in the 300 hurdles while Lizzy Pardue will show that the girls from GAPPS can still throw down with the GHSA. Ashari Pearson could be very strong in the high jump with a PR of 5-7 while Christianne Akintayo is the top thrower and Victoria Freeland is a strong vaulter.
Other meets
Under the SKG Lights has some talent on Friday night with Chiemezie Enwemadu in the 100/200, Andrew Popp in the Pole Vault, Somdee Satiphone in the triple jump, Elisa Beharry in the 100, Alyssa Willer in the 100/300 hurdles, and Audrey Hotard in the 800.
The East Jackson Eagle Invitational also has some talent with Jacari Huff in the 100/200, Cooper Timberman in the 800, Trez Fouch in the Discus, Wesley Usher in the Pole Vault, Clodagh O'Bryant and Abi Moore in the 1600/800, Sole Bailey in the 100/300 hurdles, Saniya Heard in the Discus/Shot Put, and Amelia Johnson in the Pole Vault.