Athens Academy Captures 1st GHSA State Track Championship in School History

May 08, 2016

Anna Marian Block easily won the 800m putting a hurt on the field from the gun (photo by Daniel McCauley)

It normally doesn't take a stable of athletes to win a GHSA State Track title, just a few thoroughbreds that rack up heavy points in their individual events and score big relay points.. That include some key contributions, from a few other ladies. Anna Marian Block is a talent, no doubt about it. Every time she touched the track was electric, including her 4x400 leg. Block ran a strategic race winning the 1600 (very pedestrian first lap) but made her move, separating from the pack cruising to Gold in 4:51.28. In the 800 finals she may not have hit her goal of 2:07, but it mattered not as she took off early, and with her great turnover broke the field early, as they all struggled the last lap for places as she clocked a 2:10.82.

Katie Phillips of Athens Academy struck Gold in the 300 hurdles (photo by Daniel McCauley)

Katie Phillips won 5 medals for the Lady Sparties (photo by Daniel McCauley)

Pitching in 22 points was Katie Phillips as she took Gold in the 300h at 45.31 and Silver in the 100h in 15.31 (5th LJ) ACAD has never been accused of being speedy, but 13 points in the relays was HUGE...taking 4th in the 4x100 (50.43) and Silver in the 4x400 (4:04.53) Julia Harisay added 9 points in the throws placing 3rd in the Discus with a mark of 128-4 and 6th in the Shot. Others kicking in a few points were Sydney Williams (tie for 3rd-HJ), Emily Elder was 4th in the 3200, Janie Williams (PV), Frances Herrin (TJ) and Sara Irvine (800m)

T'aja Cameron scored 33 points leading ELCA to 2nd Overall (photo by Daniel McCauley)

ELCA gave it their best, coming up 7 points short this season. T'aja Cameron was on fire (probably Highy Point in A) as she swept the short sprints easily winning in times of 11.74 and 24.32, along with getting Silver in the TJ with a mark of 37-9.50 as well as anchoring ELCA's relay squads to Gold in both events clocking a 48.32 and 4:00.75. Abigail Rogers seized Gold in the Shot with a toss of 42-0 and placed 5th in the Discus. Kayland Thomason ran to Silver in the 400m posting a 58.25.

Landmark Christian placed 3rd as a team with 51.50 points, mainly behind their distance strength (34 points) Leading the attack was Nicole Fegans who took 2nd in the 3200 posting a 10:44 and 3rd in the 1600 (5:00.25) Kathryn Foreman ended her HS career taking 3rd in the 800 (2:20.15) and 4th in the 1600 (5:06.47). Sarah Foreman ran an odd combo of events, winning Bronze in the 3200 (11:23) placing 6th in the 800m. Mary Kellison Thorne added 4.5 points in the HJ and Rachel Morley placed 4th in the Discus and 5th in the 300h (odd combo again)

Athens Christian may be back on the right road to winning another title with a scrappy young squad, as they snatched the final team Podium spot 1.5 points behind Landmark. Leading the Golden Eagles, were Charity Williams placing 2nd in the 300h at 45.83 and 3rd in the 100h in 16.21. ACS picked up 13 more in the relays taking Silver in the 4x100 (50.03) and 4th in the 4x400 (4:16.78) In the HJ, Madison Pickeral won Silver with a bar of 5-0 and Abby Resop claimed 4th in a JD. (6th in Discus) Competing well teamwise and tied for 5th at 40 points each were OLM and FPD, followed by Tallulah Falls 7th at 34.5. Carson Dingler of FPD set a new All-Time mark in the Pole Vault clearing 13-2! Summer Hendley of Savannah Christian doubled in the HJ clearing 5-02 and had a mark of 18-0.50 taking Gold in the LJ.