2021 Outdoor Track: Coweta/Fayette Invitational Meet Preview

Mar 19, 2021

Trinity Christian-Sharpsburg award winners at Lion Relays (photo Dan McCauley)

This weekend marks the beginning of the first annual Coweta/Fayette Invitational hosted by Trinity Christian School located in Sharpsburg. The Lions track and field program has grown and improved since MD and head coach Coach JP Weaver assumed the helm a few years ago. Weaver also serves as the secretary of the GATFXCCA (Coaches Association) MileSplit Georgia will be onsite shooting video of every race, and asked Coach Weaver a few particulars about the meet just below, followed by a look at the competition.

Coach JP Weaver (photo Dan McCauley)

How and when did you come up with the idea for a Coweta/Fayette championship meet?

Born and raised in the Sharpsburg area, the sport of track and field in this community is near and dear to my heart. I am a graduate of East Coweta High School located in Sharpsburg, but also the founder of the Fayette Bolts youth track and field program. As a passionate mentor leader, the number of relationships built with coaches and student-athletes is full of lifetime memories. As this vision has been on the bucket list for some time now, this is the effort of many laying down a foundation built on rock. I am so thankful for these coaches all around the two counties who have made this possible. The likes of assistant coaches such as Richard Clark and Al Hale at Fayette County High School, David Petty at McIntosh High School, Rohan and Daniella Stuart right here at Trinity, along with individuals like Steve Sattinger have all laid the groundwork for this to take place, starting back with the Fayette Bolts and Southside Pioneers.

Has there ever been a Coweta/Fayette championship meet?

The vision of starting a new tradition for both Coweta and Fayette County GHSA members is taking a giant leap forward over the weekend! This will be the first annual event. There are future goals to host a separate Coweta Fayette Middle School Championship.

Explain exactly why you are utilizing 2 Finish Lynx cameras at the finish line/areas.

The Spartan B 13mm track surface was finalized to kick off the 2019 season. Based on a very unique setup at Trinity Chrisitan School, we have a primary and secondary finish line. Not seen at many high schools around the state, the 100-meter dash and 100/110-meter hurdles have starting lines located after the primary finish line. This is a great feature as the spectators get to watch the events through the drive phase and down the stretch as the competition heats up for exciting finishes.

How excited your program/school is about hosting this meet?

Words can't express how honored we are to serve as the host for this event! Our kids and coaches are beyond excited about this opportunity that allows our program to welcome teams from both Coweta and Fayette County. In addition, we will be hosting a senior day in the morning, which will take place immediately after the Track Champions Parade. We will also be introducing each school, head coach, and honoring their seniors during the opening ceremonies. A big thank you goes out to the other coaches for allowing us to make this event possible.

Do you anticipate a good fan turnout for the event?

Yes, in total there will be 11 schools (including Trinity) competing on Saturday. There will be 5 schools each representing both Coweta County and Fayette County. Landmark Christian School will be serving as our honorary guest based on strong enrollment numbers representing both counties.

Is there anything else you would like to include about the upcoming meet?

We are expecting a large number of stadium records to be broken on Saturday! We are looking forward to watching kids compete in both field and track events throughout the day.

Order of Events:

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Trinity Christian-Sharpsburg won the HS Boys 4x100 at the Lions Relays (photo Dan McCauley)

Competition Breakdown

Girls Virtual Meet Team Scores:

PLACE		TEAM	POINTS	SPRINTS	RELAYS	DISTANCE	JUMP	THROWS	HURDLES
	1	Sandy Creek	198.5	65	20	18	48	19	28
	2	McIntosh High School	106.5	0	25	50	5	26	0
	3	Fayette County	79	21	20	15	21	0	2
	4	East Coweta	68.5	8	9	13	12	15	11
	5	Trinity Christian - Sharpsburg	54.5	5	9	0	22	4	14
	6	Whitewater High School	53	5	12	13	13	5	4
	7	Landmark Christian School	47	1	14	5	12	0	15
	8	Newnan High School	32	12	7	0	10	0	3
	9	Northgate	15	0	1	3	5	6	0
	10	Our Lady of Mercy	7	0	4	0	1	2	0

Let's take look at the teams and competitors in the new meet. On the girls' side, Sandy Creek is clearly the favorite to win the team title. The Lady Pats' are currently one of the two top-ranked squads in Class 3A along with Westminster. If their top athletes compete on Saturday it's possible they could score almost 200 points. They are strong across the board, and especially in the sprints, jumps, hurdles, and relays. McIntosh is deep in all the distance events and could do well in the relays and throws. Fayette County's speed gives them a leg up on East Coweta, Trinity Christian, and Landmark Christian.

Sandy Creek Girls (photo Dan McCauley)

Top Female Athletes in each Event:

100 Meter Dash

PLACE	ATHLETE	GRADE	TEAM	TIME	POINTS
1	Bobbi Olive	2024	Sandy Creek	12.35	10
2	Ryan Lewis	2023	Sandy Creek	12.51	8

200 Meter Dash

PLACE	ATHLETE	GRADE	TEAM	TIME	POINTS
1	Gabriella Grissom	2022	Sandy Creek	25.23	10
2	Bobbi Olive	2024	Sandy Creek	25.46	8

400 Meter Dash

PLACE	ATHLETE	GRADE	TEAM	TIME	POINTS
1	Gabriella Grissom	2022	Sandy Creek	56.17	10
2	Isis Symone Grant	2023	Sandy Creek	57.94	8

800 Meter Run

PLACE	ATHLETE	GRADE	TEAM	TIME	POINTS
1	Gabriella Grissom	2022	Sandy Creek	2:13.09	10
2	Isis Symone Grant	2023	Sandy Creek	2:20.87	8
3	Emily McBride	2021	McIntosh High School	2:24.40	6
4	Sydney Bohles	2022	Fayette County	2:25.11	5

1600 Meter Run

PLACE	ATHLETE	GRADE	TEAM	TIME	POINTS
1	Emily McBride	2021	McIntosh High School	5:27.10	10
2	Taylor Tarpley	2024	McIntosh High School	5:28.39	8

3200 Meter Run

PLACE	ATHLETE	GRADE	TEAM	TIME	POINTS
1	Taylor Tarpley	2024	McIntosh High School	11:54.09	10
2	Leah Pfaff	2022	East Coweta	12:13.82	8
3	Hannah Moore	2021	McIntosh High School	12:15.03	6

100 Meter Hurdles

PLACE	ATHLETE	GRADE	TEAM	TIME	POINTS
1	Amira Hackett	2021	Sandy Creek	16.78	10
2	Marshawn Belton	2022	East Coweta	17.27	8

300 Meter Hurdles

PLACE	ATHLETE	GRADE	TEAM	TIME	POINTS
1	Nathalia Rowe	2021	Sandy Creek	49.04	10
2	Bryce Hackworth	2022	Trinity Christian - Sharpsburg	49.51	8
3	Amira Hackett	2021	Sandy Creek	50.55	6
4	Faith Alleyne	2021	Landmark Christian School	50.87	5

4x100 Meter Relay

PLACE	TEAM	TIME	POINTS
1	Sandy Creek	47.80	10
2	Fayette County	49.84	8

4x400 Meter Relay

PLACE	TEAM	TIME	POINTS
1	Sandy Creek	3:58.60	10
2	Fayette County	4:16.78	8

4x800 Meter Relay

PLACE	TEAM	TIME	POINTS
1	McIntosh High School	10:20.63	10

High Jump

PLACE	ATHLETE	GRADE	TEAM	MARK	POINTS
1	Kaylen Madrey	2021	Newnan High School	5-6

Long Jump

PLACE	ATHLETE	GRADE	TEAM	MARK	POINTS
1	Chelsea Davis	2022	Sandy Creek	17-11	10
2	Imani Moore	2021	Fayette County	17-2.5	8

Triple Jump

PLACE	ATHLETE	GRADE	TEAM	MARK	POINTS
1	Ryan Lewis	2023	Sandy Creek	36-7	10
2	Imani Moore	2021	Fayette County	36-2	8
3	Chelsea Davis	2022	Sandy Creek	35-6	6

Pole Vault

PLACE	ATHLETE	GRADE	TEAM	MARK	POINTS
1	Bryce Hackworth	2022	Trinity Christian - Sharpsburg	9-6	10

Shot Put

PLACE	ATHLETE	GRADE	TEAM	MARK	POINTS
1	Emma Bellantoni	2022	McIntosh High School	31-10	10
2	Janae Walker	2023	Sandy Creek	28-9	8

Discus

PLACE	ATHLETE	GRADE	TEAM	MARK	POINTS
1	Hannah Kunkle	2022	East Coweta	106-1	10
2	Janae Walker	2023	Sandy Creek	93-4

Boys Virtual Meet Scores:

PLACE		TEAM	POINTS	SPRINTS	RELAYS	DISTANCE	JUMP	THROWS	HURDLES
	1	Whitewater High School	146	42	23	29	21	0	31
	2	Landmark Christian School	125.5	23	16	30	45	6	5
	3	East Coweta	119.5	12	25	29	29	10	14
	4	Sandy Creek	80.5	24	11	0	20	10	15
	5	Northgate	58	0	20	14	6	18	0
	6	Trinity Christian - Sharpsburg	52	4	4	0	20	17	7

The boys' meet could end up coming down to the 4x400 relay if all schools compete at full strength. Whitewater, Landmark Christian, and East Coweta are going to be in the mix for the team title and some hardware to take back home with them. 5A Whitewater could pile up the points in the sprints/jumps, hurdles, and distance events. However, currently Landmark Christian is on top of the boy's A Private team power rankings, and Zack Truitt could go 'Iron Man' and try to triple in the distance events at State. Look for East Coweta to do well in the distance events, jumps, and relays.

Zack Truitt of Landmark Christian (photo Dan McCauley)

Top Male Athletes in each Event: