5A- Collins Hill works their "mojo" again to perfection.
Coach Hudson has to be pleased as his relaxed demeanor throughout the meet was evident (except for when his Lady Eagles were on the Track) and his instructions and encouragement were followed to the "T" as Collins Hill's big guns came through in fine fashion maxing out in every event possible winning their 3rd consecutive 5A Track title. On day 1 and 2 the duo of Amanda Winslow and Allyson McGinty racked up 28 big points in only 2 events. Winslow set a State meet record in the 1600 surpassing former Eagle great Jackie Drouin(Columbia University) with a super time of 4:48.35. On Thursday, Winslow and McGinty went 1,2 in the 3200 in times of 10:45.22 and 10:59.40. Symone Glover jump started CH's scoring with a 5th place effort in the 400m in 57.11. Imani Ellis was true to form in the 100h and placed 2nd in 14.40 adding 8 more points. As the rain began to increase Nicky Akande took the stage and took charge on lap 1 leading at the bell lap by almost 20 meters and ran the next 200m very strong not giving up any ground cruising to victory in 2:16.00. The Lady Eagles however were not finished at this point with Ellis taking home another runnerup finish in the 300h in 42.80 sealing the title. Most fitting was how Collins Hill finished off the meet aggressively taking 2nd in the 4x400 in 3:55.28. Redan hung tough all day falling just a little short with 52 points and won the 4x400 in 3:51.13. Kennisha Holden was at her best and led the Lady Raiders quest for State meet bounty winning the 400m in 55.06, and the 300h in 42.80 as well as helping both 4x100 and 4x400 teams to 1st place finishes!
Chalonda Goodman from Newnan was just on another planet from her competition in the 100m and 200m as she rolled to victory in 11.45 and 23.69 and anchored the Cougars relay teams to a 3rd place team finish in 5A overall. It was a thing of beauty to watch her run and hear the talk about her from the coaches volunteering on the track. Chalonda has a gear she can drop into that no one else has and when she hits stride it makes a coach wonder what potential she has in the 400m on the collegiate and perhaps world level for 2012.....
In the field events there were a few athletes that have set the standard for excellence for our youth athletes...Lauren Chambers from Kell is like a bomb exploding in the Shot Put. She is very relaxed and agile and packs it all into 1 punch on her release in the ring and set a new "State Meet" record in 46-5.75(although her pr Outdoor is 48-5!) Kimber Shealy may not have hit it big in the State meet(10-6) but she will leave a legacy with a pr of 12-5 in the Girls Pole Vault. Wow, imagine girls vaulting 10 years ago....This is an event that has exponentially grown since its inception in GA and the sky is the limit it seems. Canesha Edwards from Newnan flew through the air winning the TJ in a mark of 18-11.5 dominating the competition. Christie Leverette of Marietta may pulled off the upset of the day in winning the HJ in 5-6. Making the South GA folks proud was Shabreka Carter from Tift County with a toss of 126-00 in the Discus.