Kiely Gayle of Westlake wins the 800m in a photo finish (all photos by Alex Brust)
Westlake's girls have been dominant throughout the 2021 season and capped that off by running away with the team title with a 42 point victory margin over runner-up Buford. The Lions began the finals with 26 points scored in the Long Jump, 4x800 and High Jump. They quickly made their way up the leaderboard, beginning by winning the 4x100 in 46.32. Colleen Branch won the 100m in 11.62 with Imari Johnson 3rd at 11.80. Kiely Gayle won the 800m run posting a 2:13.60, Branch won a bronze medal in the 200m, and Madyson Wilson won the 300h at 42.42. The Lions closed out their scoring by placing 2nd in the 4x400 clocking a 3:54.96 (the Lions also placed 3rd in the 4x800)
Sydney Harris from Buford begins her dominance of the 400m dash
Buford had a very good meet finishing as runner-ups with 52 points. They were led by new star sophomore Sydney Harris who turned in a sizzling 53.72 winning the 400m and took 2nd place in the 200m going 24.29. The Wolves were 2nd in the 4x100 relay at 47.24 and won the 4x400 relay in a swift time of 3:47.67. Buford scored 10 points in the pole vault behind Caroline Snell in 3rd and Callie Snell in 4th.
Sophie Boice of Pope swept the distance races
Pope HS was 3rd overall with 47 points, leading the Greyhounds around the track was Sophie Boice, as she swept the distance races going 5:00.64 and 10:53 in the 3200m. Pope also won the 4x800 relay posting a 9:28.16. Alexander claimed the final team Podium spot led by Adajah Hodge won took Golds in the Long Jump with a mark of 19-07 and 200m going 23.75.
Adaejah Hodge of Alexander (r)
Carrollton captured 3 gold medals, including Payton Phillips in the pole vault with a new state record bar of 13-5.50, Kayla Pinkard took the triple jump at 41-06 and Jada Marsh won the shot put with a heave of 146-09. Meg Coleman from Dalton won the 100 hurdles crown going 14.60
Payton Phillips of Carrollton set a new all-classes state record at 13-5.50
6A Boys
Grant Briscoe of Carrollton also set a new record in the vault clearing 16-02
Carrollton's boys had a very enjoyable relaxing Saturday afternoon as the Trojans rolled up enough points out on the field, and 4x800, along with a few miscues in the finals by the chasers, they were never seriously challenged winning by 23 points over team runner-ups Alexander. Westlake and Dacula filled out the final team podium spots a few points back. Grant Briscoe won the vault setting a new state record at 16-02 and Kareem Nazim took 3rd with a bar of 14-06. Amare Hall lept out to 23-03 winning the long jump, the 4x800 squad won silver clocking an 8:06. On Saturday Carrollton picked a few 4th and 5th place efforts to put them safely out of reach by the 300h race.
Marcus Guidry of Alexander wins the 800m
Alexander scored another team podium spot with 47 points. The Cougars won the 4x800 relay in setting the bar for the future setting a brand new 6A record time of 7:58.36. Marcus Guidry won the 800m run at 1:54.99, Brandon Benton was runner-up in the high jump at 6-06, and Tavis Maloy was second in the 200m dash in 21.71.
Malik Mixon and Bryce Southerland rang up 18 points in the 110h for Westlake.
Westlake was 2 points back with 45 points. The Lions were led by hurdler Malik Mixon who doubled taking the 110h at 14.43 and 300h at 37.23, Bryce Southerland placed 2nd in the 110h in 14.51 and Nyzaveon Thompson took 4th. The Lions closed out the meet by winning the 4x400 relay at 3:17.04
Adam Watkins (file photo)
Dacula edged Buford by 1 point to earn the final team podium spot. The Falcons were led by thrower Adam Watkins who won the discus with a toss of 168-09 and the shot put with a heave of 58-9.50. Ben Butcher won the 3200m run on Friday night in a time of 9:20.08 and took 4th in the 1600m Thursday at 4:20.54.
Isaiah Bond of Buford (lane 4)
Buford electrified the fans early Saturday throwing down a 41.59 winning the 4x100. Isaiah Bond swept the short sprints going 10.51/100m and later 21.19/200m.