2021 GHSA 4A State Championship Preview

GHSA State Championships (1A Public, 3A & 4A)
Bruce Taylor

Watch the LIVE-STREAM from ALL Meets:


Stephenson's 4x400 squad at Fleet Feet Friday Night Lights

4A Boys


Bradley Favors of Stephenson

Stephenson has proved themselves very worthy of earning the top spot in the 4A boys team rankings behind star sprinter Bradley Favors who has enjoyed an outstanding season and they made it through a very tough Sectional hosted by North Oconee this past Saturday, which also included contenders Jefferson and Marist. They also killed it in the relays, including the 4x800 which bodes very well for them. If they can avoid miscues the 4A boy's title is theirs.


Malaki Starks of Jefferson runs like a wild freight train

Jefferson is the most balanced team in 4A boys, and if their field events specialists bring their 'A' games and UGA bound Malaki Starks peaks down in Albany the Dragons should be a lock for a runner-up team Podium spot.. They need to score well in the field events (could go 1-2 in the Long Jump) and pick up some distance points to secure a runner-up team spot.

Jordan Fick of North Oconee

North Oconee in any other year would be in the mix to contend for a team title. Multis-athlete Jordan Fick is a threat score over 25 points and the Titans qualified 3 vaulters (including Fick) that can rack up points. 4A XC champ Davis Potts had a late start this season due to injury but will be looking to peak at state.


Collin O'Rielly of Marist (photo by Daniel McCauley)

Marist should score big points in the 800-1600-3200 and 4x800 relay. Thomas County Central has sprint speed to burn, a top hurdler, and will be a contender in the 4x100 and 4x400 relays. On a side note, the wind may have been a slight factor in some of the 100m times. But, it was not gusting very much by the time the 100m dash was contested. (I co-own Fast Feet Timing along with Karl Brust)

Top Athletes to Watch
100m:
Malaki Starks  Jefferson - 10.55
Jace Coleman  Stephenson - 10.58
Tykeem Wallace  Thomas County - 10.62
200m:
Bradley Favors  Stephenson - 21.26
Jace Coleman  Stephenson - 21.45
Tykeem Wallace  Thomas County - 21.51
400m:
Bradley Favors  Stephenson - 47.07
Kason Jones  Monroe-Albany - 48.27
Malik Dennis  Perry - 48.50
800m:
Seth White   Pickens County - 1:54.86
Jaylen Mallett  Marist - 1:57.73
Matthew Schroeder  Jefferson - 1:58.73
1600m:
Colin O'Rielly  Marist - 4:15.74
Luke Gaddis  Chestatee - 4:17.24
Seth White  Pickens County - 4:17.57
3200m:
Luke Gaddis  Chestatee - 9:11.26
Sage Walker  Druid Hills - 9:34.55
Colin O'Rielly  Marist - 9:37.11
110h:
Ethan Phillips  Thomas County - 14.01
Jordan Fick  North Oconee - 14.51
Dexter Ricks, Jr  Baldwin - 14.65
300h:
Jordan Fick  North Oconee - 37.59
Ethan Phillips  Thomas County - 38.55
Dorian Helm  Stephenson - 38.68
4x100:
Stephenson - 41.69
Thomas County - 42.24
GW Carver - 42.41
4x400:
Stephenson - 
Dougherty - 
Fayette County - 
4x800:
Marist - 8:03.91
Stephenson - 8:29.97
North Oconee - 8:32.68
Discus:
Logan Montgomery  Ridgeland - 168-04
Alexander Sheppard  Druid Hills - 161-05
Clay Anderson  Flowery Branch - 157-04
Shot Put:
Logan Montgomery  Ridgeland - 57-03
Kelton Smith  GW Carver - 52.2.50
Andrew Paolozzi  Jefferson - 51- 09
High Jump:
Anthony Miles  Jordan - 6-08
Silas Griffin  NW Whitfield - 6-04
Long Jump:
Malaki Starks  Jefferson - 24-09
Jordan Perry  Jefferson - 22.6.50
Nagrai Tophia  Mays - 22-2.50
Triple Jump:
Davonte Jackson  Luella - 45-04
Isaiah Screen  Stephenson - 44-03
Domonik Henderson  Monroe-Albany - 44-03
Pole Vault:
Jordan Fick  North Oconee - 15-06
Drew Chambers  North Oconee - 13-0
Destin Smith  Central HS - 12-06
4A Girls


Ruby Little of Marist (photo by Daniel McCauley)

Marist is easily the favorite to win the girls 4A team title as the War Eagles are going to dominate the 800, 1600, 3200, and 4x800 relay. They also are a threat to win the 4x400 and score well in the 4x100. After the 800m finals, they should be able to relax and enjoy the rest of the meet until the awards ceremony.


Johna Grisik of Marist

They are primarily powered by the great cross country team, including freshman Ruby Little, Johna Grisik, and Kate Selover. There have a plethora of athletes that can score a few points in the field events which will add up making a difference. Jefferson has the athletes to be able to push themselves towards a runner-up team finish led by distance ace Katherine Law, although she will have a full plate to deal with with the Marist girls. It's key that they score well in the field events to make this happen. Arabia Mountain, Fayette County, Druid Hills, and Thomas County are evenly matched and will be waiting in the wings to move up the scoreboard during Saturday finals.

Top Athletes to Watch

100m:
Saana Frederick  Druid Hills - 11.88
Angelica Frederick  Miller Grove - 12.06
Rasunek Tyler-Thompson  Miller Grove - 12.14
200m:
Amara Nwajagu  Fayette County - 24.86
Saana Frederick  Druid Hills - 24.97
Angelica Frederick  Miller Grove - 24.97
400m:
Shani Simon  Arabia Mountain - 56.91
Amara Nwajagu  Fayette County - 56.99
Faith Hill  Miller Grove - 58.50
800m:
Johna Grisik  Marist - 2:13.51
Katherine Law  Jefferson - 2:18.36
Ruby Litte  Marist - 2:19.87
3200m:
Katherine Law  Jefferson - 11:07.10
Ruby Little  Marist - 11:17.25
Anna James  Thomas County - 11:22.54
100h:
Jasmine Harmon  Fayette County - 14.21
Santiona Freeman  Mays - 14.98
Candace Taylor  Arabia Mountain - 15.06
300h:
Faith Hill  Miller Grove - 45.15
Josie Loggins  Jefferson - 45.94
Jada David  Cedar Shoals - 46.10
4x100:
Fayette County - 48.04
Druid Hills - 48.12
Miller Grove - 48.20
4x400:
Fayette County - 3:57.88
Arabia Mountain - 3:58.81
Marist - 4:00.90 
4x800:
Marist - 9:34.17
Druid Hills - 10:06.44
North Oconee - 10:10.14
Discus:
Emya Munford  Hampton HS - 127-11
Kalayah Clark  Thomas County - 123-0
Lacorria Gervin  Monroe-Albany - 111-01
Shot Put:
Alexis McGruder  Flowery Branch - 36-03
Emya Munford  Hampton HS - 36-2.50
Makayla Register  West Larens - 36-02
High Jump:
Jazmine Walker  Baldwin - 5-06
Long Jump:
Imani Morre  Fayette County - 19-2.75
Jada Pittman  Jefferson - 18-0
Candace Taylor  Arabia Mountain - 17-11
Triple Jump:
Imani Moore  Fayette County - 39-0
Jada David  Cedar Shoals - 38-0
Danaya Wray 2Short  Cedar Shoals - 36-04
Pole Vault:
Rhiannon Held  North Oconee - 12-11
Ella Kulniszewski  Jefferson - 10-0
Hannah Thigpen  Flowery Branch - 10-0
Olivia Kulniszewski  Jefferson - 10-0