2021 GHSA 4A State Championship Preview

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

Bruce Taylor

May 12, 2021

Watch the LIVE-STREAM from ALL Meets:

1A Private/2A/7ALINK: https://accounts.milesplit.com/live/26848

1A Public/3A/4ALINK: https://accounts.milesplit.com/live/26846

5A/6A/Wheelchair LINK: https://accounts.milesplit.com/live/26844

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

Watch the LIVE-STREAM from ALL Meets:

1A Private/2A/7ALINK: https://accounts.milesplit.com/live/26848

1A Public/3A/4ALINK: https://accounts.milesplit.com/live/26846

5A/6A/Wheelchair LINK: https://accounts.milesplit.com/live/26844

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