7A State Meet Recap
Girls: Lowndes rolls to Class 7A Title
Lowndes had too many studs for anyone else to handle. Thanks to a total of 83 points (33 by way of the jumps, 25 in the relays, 20 in the sprints, and 5 in the hurdles), they were able to put everyone else away with ease.
Kaniya Johnson's 11.26 in the 100m finals and 23.20 in the 200m finals not only won her state championships, but they were also the National #3 and #7 (respectively). Tack on victories in the 4x100m, 4x400m, both 1st and 2nd in the high jump, and 1st in the triple jump? You have a recipe for a truly dominant performance by the Lowndes Vikettes.
Individually, we had some strong performances. Samantha McGarity of Harrison won the 3200m convincingly while also breaking 11:00 and then turned around and broke 5:00 in the heat to win the 1600m. Zionn Rice of Campbell won both the 100m and 300m Hurdles. Cherokee's Skylar Harrelson was a 4 event scorer, going 1st in the Long Jump, 2nd in the Triple Jump, 4th in the 200m, and 5th in the 100m showing both power and speed.
Boys: A little closer than expected, but Marietta wins yet another State Title.
Marietta had a near-perfect Sectionals Meet that was only blemished by their 4x800m squad, but the Blue Devils got it done in critical events to stay 9 clear of runner-up Brookwood. Marietta scored points in all events except the hurdles with an incredible balance of 19 in Relays, 17 in Distance, 16 in Jumps, 8 in Throws, and 6 in Sprints.
Marietta saw huge success from 800m champion Malachi Sanders, their champion 4x400m relay, and runner-up finishes in the Triple Jump (Boubacar Ndome), Discus (Max Herman), and their 4x200m Relay.
Runner-up Brookwood relied heavily on the hurdling trio of Makai Williams (1st, 110m Hurdles), Joshua Crum (1st 300m Hurdles, 2nd 110m Hurdles), and Bryce Dopson (2nd, 300m Hurdles) to put up an astounding 36 points which, if only up to them, would've tied West Forsyth for 6th.
Individually, Mr. Super Stud Will Sumner smashed the state record in the 400m running 45.78 and also anchored the now #4 all-time 4x800m team as that squad ran 7:47. Campbell's 1:25.28 in the 4x200m is now #2 all-time in GA and currently the #13 fastest in the country.
