Woodward Academy Wins 3A Title in a Battle of 6-AAA Rivals
Woodward began the day tied at 30 points with North Oconee, with rival St.Pius X a point back and Blessed Trinity a few places back with 19. SE Bulloch and North Oconee were about shot, with Maynard Jackson still in it who began their finals run by winning the 4x100m relay in 48.59 (the fastest time of the day thus far) Central Carrollton was a step back taking 2nd in 48.65, and Peach County 3rd in 48.82. Woodward added 4 huge team points placing 5th.
Kendsey Chappelear has been coming down to Albany since her freshman year in 2011 where she failed to qualify for Finals. But. each year she showed improvement qualifying in 2012 placing 6th, 4th in 2013. She worked on her speed this Spring and it paid dividends as Chappelear held stride the final 60 meters and won the state title in 57.38. Kendsey later won the Silver in the 200m. Myia Dorsey took 2nd in 57.50 lifting St.Pius X into the lead clocking a 57.50. Tyneisha Quarterman of Carver-Columbus was 3rd in 58.38.
After an early season hamstring? pull at the Eagle Invitational, Maia Caldwell-Booker of West Hall made her way back into racing shape and won the Gold in the 100m dash in 12.20. Keondria Simmons of Peach was a step back in 12.21, Bree Teasley of Frankin County began her day placing 3rd in 12.35. Maynard Jackson, Blessed Trinity and Woodward all scored in the event.
Bailey Willett from Blessed Trinity got out of the gate early and built a lead of up to 60 meters before splitting lap 1 in the 800m race and cruised around the mondo oval giving the Titans 10 big points posting the fastest time of the day thus far in 2:14.21. It was a titanic battle down the stretch for the remaining places with Kristen Mitchell of White County outleaning by .003 Rachel Pyden of St.Pius X (2:26.03) Hannah Sidhu seized an important 4th place for Woodward.
Bree Teasley of Franklin had been ranked at the top of the 3A ladder in the 200m this Spring and ended her season taking the Gold in 24.87 with teamate Chappelear seizing the Silver in 25.23. Myia Dorsey kept St.Pius in contention for a team tiltle placing 3rd in 25.28.
Erica Evans gave Woodward 16 points winning the 300h in 44.78, and took home a Bronze medal in the 100h clocking a 14.78. Erin Marsh of Buford placed 2nd in the 300h at 45.31 followed by Pierce County's Alexus Shaw in 46.02. Courtney Jones of Maynard Jackson had her highs and lows in the Hurdles events. Jones won the 100h by .001 over Dominique Sullivan of Decatur in 14.61, then while in contention for the 300h crown, hit a hurdle and tumbled.
With the state title on the line for Pius and Woodward, Blessed Trinity was having none of that and Bailey Willett ran an amazing anchor leg catching and passing Decatur just before the finish taking the Gold in 3:59.95