6A Boys State Meet Preview

                           

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6A Distance

North Gwinnett’s Andres Littig has posted the fastest 800 meter time this year with a 1:52.93. He will have to run faster than that with a group of 1:54’s chasing after him for the state title. Cory Nicholls of McEachern, Brian Sullivan of Walton, Littig’s teammate Jeramey Hampton, and Mill Creek’s Tyler Woodrome all look to be in the mix. Ahhhhh, but watch out for the ever dangerous Wheeler’s Adel Yoonis, two-time defending state 800 meter champion. He will be fresh and running with something to prove since he was not able to qualify in the 1600. Marcelo Dunning’s (Campbell, 2000) state record of 1:51.75 could be within reach for one of these young men.

If you haven’t ever stuck around for the 1600 meter on Thursday evening at Jefferson, then this would be the perfect time to do so. This might be the deepest field to have ever set foot on the track. Count them, six young men at 4:18 or better and that’s leaving out Adel Yoonis  (4:18) last years state champ who was a casualty of the 5A’s region of death! Mill Creek’s Tyler Woodrome leads the way with his 4:13, followed by Walton’s teammates Brian Sullivan 4:15 and Kenan Framer at 4:16. Drew Kelly of Roswell has lit up the Track with his 4:16 and do not count out Josh Brickell’s 4:17. Milton’s Nathan Riech has a kick as dangerous as anyone on the track with his 4:18. Could we see the boys go six wide as they clear the curve for the last 80 meters? Will Ben Hubers (McEachern 2007) State Record of 4:07.50 be in jeopardy? Saving the best for last on
Thursday night.

This year Peachtree Ridge’s Josh Brickell (9:14) ran away from the competition with his state title in cross-country in the fall and we all expect him to do the same in the 3200. But should he falter there are a whole slew of kids looking for that 3200 meter crown. Last years runner-up Kenan Farmer of Walton (9:27), Kevin Mills of Peachtree Ridge (9:30), Ben Pleak of Marietta (9:33), Jonathan Moses of Collins Hill (9:34), teammates JC Cornett (9:35) and Owen Bailey (9:35) all have PR’s that are within eight seconds of each other and each of these athletes would love to stand on top of that podium Friday night.

6A Sprints-Relays

Hillgrove, Marietta, Mill Creek, McEachern should Q many athletes to the Finals in these events. Hillgrove's explosive speed may propel them to their 1st State team title with Demetrius Duggans a serious threat to double in the 100/200m along with anchoring their 4x100 squad which boasts the top time in the state at 41.62  Dyarius Tucker made national news early in the season in the 300h may challenge for the Gold in both hurdles events with pr's of  14.11/37.29  Trevon Simmons in the 400m could also add big points.  

Mill Creek ran flawlessly at Sectionals in both Relays with a top Q' time of 3:21 in the 4x400 and not too shabby 42.07 in the 4x100m. Michael Cheeks has the top time in 2013 in the 400m at 48.38 and could do some damage in the 200m as well. McEachern has 2 top 1/4 guys in Rajon Wright at 48.68 and Corey Nicholls at 48.75 which translates very well to their 4x400m squad who burned down a 3:18.53  Campbell is hurdle heavy led by the best hurdler this outdoor season in Allan Frye. Frye has top times of 13.81 and an incredible 36.54 in the 300h. Dante Johnson has a time of 38.43 which could give them 16 points in the 300h. Campbell looks to score also in the 4x400 where at Sections they turned in a 3:20.74  

Kennesaw Mountain is loaded in the short sprints and 4x100m led by Devon Putnom's 10.76 and 21.77 and a 4x100m time of 42.19  Terrell Singleton is a threat to score well in the 110h with a pr of 14.37   Marietta will have its opportunities to be in the mix with Kirvonte Benson in the 100/200m at 10.65/21.76 and in the 4x400m.  Shiloh is strong in the 200/400m behind Nicholas Bradley, Grant Swinton, Jeremy McDuffie may contend in the 300h and their 4x400m squad is swift at 3:18.36  Justin Leggett of Camden County is an athlete to watch out for boasting prs of 21.40 in the 200m and 10.68...

6A Field Events

Horizontal

 Kenneth Fisher may be the man to not miss do his thing in the horizontal jumps. Fisher has extraordinary prs of 48-06.50 and 24-00 so make sure you watch him fly Thursday! Preston Williams of Lovejoy (47-9), McDuffie of Shiloh (47-07) will do their best to push Fisher in the 3 hop.  Several LJ'rs have been teasing 23-0 this season including McDuffie, Malik Freeman of of Newton and Marietta's Jordan Marion.

Vertical

The PV will be an extremely close contest as Taylor Wood could bolster Kennesaw Mtn.'s team score as he's the top vaulter in 6A with a clearance of 14-0. Reece Morrow (13-07) and Kutter Smith (13-0) could do some damage for Brookwood. Others that have cleared 13-0 are Ethan Bilkert of Lassiter, Braden Evans of North Cobb and Naquon Shelton of Marietta.   The HJ competition should be intenses as 4 jumpers come in with pr's of 6-08 including Joseph Woodbury of WEstlake, Bailey Vittaoe of Brookwood, Devontre Young of Harrison and Tanner Riddle of North Forsyth. Whose gonna take it up a notch and challenge the 7-0 barrier?  

Throws

Hillgrove will have an excellent chance to pick up some big points on the infield Thursday behind Jaylen Reed as he has pr marks of 161-10 in the Disc and a new pr at Sections on 55-4 in the Shot. Another thrower with the potential to double is Roswell's Richard Delphin with season bests of 168-5 and 52-2.75  Jared Munday of Brookwood has the #2 mark in 6A in the Shot at 53-3.50 and John Patterson of Parkview is a threat to win the Discus w/ a pr of 163-07