2018 Georgia Meet of Champions Distance Preview
Girls 800
Naima Turbes (photo by Karl Brust)
The girls 800 will have a very competitive field. Leading the way will be Naima Turbes of Westminster. Naima is the state 3A champion with a time of 2:11.21. She will receive a challenge from two state champions, Brenda Ayuk of Alexander, the state 6A champion with a PR of 2:12.10 and Emoni Coleman of Miller Grove, the state 5A champ with a PR of 2:12.51. The field will also have freshmen sensation Lauren Lewis from Langston Hughes, Ani Henderson of Marietta, Jackie Addy ofHoly Innocents and
Kayla Rose of McIntosh. All with sub 2:15 PR's.
Girls 3200
Elizabeth Funderburk (photo by Daniel McCauley)
The girls 3200 will be led by the state's top runner. Elizabeth Funderburk has run 10:22.76 this year and she is looking to try break the state record of 10:16.05. She will be challenged by Beth Donnelly of Tennessee who has run 10:24 this year, so expect a fast race Saturday night. Ellie Hall of Marietta looks to be the closest contender if the two favorites should not have their best days. The field will be rounded out by several girls looking to get under the 11 minute barrier.
Boys 800
Clay Pender (2) and Jonathan Myrthil (photo by Daniel McCauley)
The boys 800 has been very fast the last two years at the MOC. There is no Devin Dixon in the field, but we could see a low 1:50's type of performance. Kameron Schofield of Sequoyah, Jonathan Myrthil from Northside Columbus and Clay Pender from Jefferson HS are the class of the field. All have ran 1:53 this year.
Boys 3200
Jacob McLeod
The 3200 boy's race looks to be a barnburner again this year. The race looks to be a showdown between Jacob McLeod and Kyle Harkabus. Jacob has run 8:52.70 this year and is looking to go under 8:50. Kyle has run the 1600 and 800 most of the year. He won both at 7A state, going 4:13 and 1:52 and looks to go sub 9:00 this weekend. He is a Footlocker finalist, so he shouldn't be counted out. The field also has several outstanding runners competing including: Nicholas Yanek of Milton, James Cragin of Archer, Robert Chappell of Alpharetta, Nick Nyman of Starrs Mill, Adan Rodriguez from Dalton, and Leif Anderson of Marist, all who have gone sub 9:30 in their careers. The race also has the top two freshmen in the state including Kamari Miller of Marietta, coached by the great Jack Coleman and Zack Truitt of Landmark Christian coached by the legendary Bill Thorne. These two have 9:28 and 9:31 this year. The field has several guys trying to go sub 9:30 so we could see several guys under 9:30.
1600s
The 1600's at the Meet of Champions are never as deep as the other distance races. Many of the top athletes will be running the 3200 or 800, saving themselves for the Wingfoot Mile. We still have some good athletes running. On the girls side the field will be led by Lexi Allen-Cherokee, Lindsey Bigger-Landmark, Anna Gallagher-Milton. The boys will be led by Knox Pittman of Marist as well as Robert Chappell of Alpharetta.
The Throws events are shaping up to be the best yet (by Chris Rogers)LenNeth Whitehead (photo by Daniel McCauley)Boys Shot Put will be a battle for second place with LenNeth Whitehead in search of the Meet record and trying to top his 67 foot throw. Second place is no slouch because this will be the first time that we have four throwers over 60 feet and 2 additional throwers at high 59 feet competing together in the same meet.Tanner Duffin (photo by Daniel McCauley)Boys Discus is even more competitive with Tanner Duffin In search of bettering his 189 foot throw at GA State Meet and setting a new meet record. There are two other Throwers that will put pressure on that first place spot. Nick Edwards and Jerimiah Pierce both have the ability to take home the gold. You'll have to watch to see who wins.Soteria RussellGirls Shot Put is a battle to break the three-way tie between Javon Joiner, Morgan Johnson and Sotieria Russell. All three young ladies have thrown over 44 feet and are looking for the right to be called Queen of the ring!Elsie Igberaese (photo gdp.com)
Girls Discus seems to be locked up by Elsie Igberaese after her 142 foot throw at state. But anything can happen, because we have over six girls throwing in the 130s that are all hungry and looking for an upset!
