Sean Alleyne from Landmark could help them win the team title this year
This week we're going to preview the upcoming track and field seasons for each GHSA Classification. We've got the boys and girls projected team scores and season previews below for class 2A.
Note - The relay team scores are based on last year's performances, so they could vary from what is listed. For a breakdown of the individuals, check out the returners rankings for BOYS and GIRLS
Landmark Christian is in a new classification, but a familiar position. They sit atop the preseason virtual rankings which is a surprise to absolutely nobody who knows anything about their history. They've won ten team titles in track and field and have been contention for a title many more times than that. They are a well balanced team who has a good chance of scoring in every discipline. London Costen is one of their big stars as he's projected to win the 400 and get runner up in the 800. Joshua Harris is in position to win the high jump and Sean Alleyne looks to be a slight favorite to win the pole vault. They also have Ian Tukes as a big threat in both hurdle events and Micah Dennis who is seeded only behind Costen in the 400. With that sort of firepower and balance they should be able to put together a couple of dangerous relay teams too.
Landmark will start off the season as the favorites, but don't be surprised if Athens Academy, Model, or Jeff Davis end up challenging them at state. And I wouldn't count out a program like Eagle's Landing Christian Academy either as they sit lurking with Vidalia a step behind these three teams...for now. Athens Academy appears to be most dangerous with distance runners and relays. Jackson Scruggs and Robbie Dillon are two stars that should both be able to put up big points over multiple events at state which will give AA a boost for sure. They've also got Ryland Marley who could be a key contributor in the hurdles for them. Model isn't just a one man show, but their leading man sure is something special. Simon Schabort will probably attempt to get a clean 30 points again this year as he could try to defend his crown in all 3 distance events. He pulled off that feat last year which is something that's never been done in Georgia history, it was truly something special to see. They've also got points coming from Jeremais Heard in the discus, Jermaine Campbell in the triple jump, and Daniel Jolly in the 100. If those athletes can all pick up a second event and score points, they could be trouble for anybody in 2A. Meanwhile Jeff Davis is relying heavily on throws and hurdles. Kaleb Ryals will look to stay the favorite in the 110m hurdles and pick up more points in the 300 hurdles as will teammate Marcus Gunter. Darius Barge can get them off to a big start by winning both throwing events, as he's favored to do.
In the sprints look for other top performers to be Dontavius Braswell Jr and Derrell McBride in the 100 as well as Jacque Holley in the 200. Eric White Jr. will look to challenge for the win in both the 200 and the 400 and Jaquez White could try to pull off the sweep in the hurdles. Distance appears to be all Schabort, Scruggs, Gillon, and Costen up front on paper.
In the field events expect D'Ontae Fulton and Jalen Belton to challenge Harris for the title in the high jump. Jalon Kilgore, Brandon Beasley, and Sammy Hammett will duke it out in the long jump while Beasley will try to hold onto the top spot in the triple jump against Sekye McCormick and Campbell. Nic Grier and Tucker Parrish will challenge Alleyne for the win in the pole vault while DJ Chester, Grant Lisk, and Heard will attempt to knock off Barge in one or both of the throws.
Well the Landmark boys are decent favorites, but the Landmark girls are HEAVY favorites to win the 2A team title. They have super star level talent and depth, which will be tough for anybody to match this spring. They're led by Taylor Gullatte, Shari Brown, and Nina Story who are all likely to get plenty of points in multiple events. Gullatte could possibly get wins in all three sprint events while Brown will but up front challenging for the win in at least the 1600 and 800 and Story could come away with both hurdle wins. It's extremely unlikely to happen, but it's possible for Landmark to win every single individual running event for a cool 80 points from just these there ladies. Most likely they'll get 50-60 though which could be enough lock up the team title on their own. But they'll also likely score in relays and other events including Sarah Evans Thorne in the pole vault, Turner Guerard in the distance events, and most importantly Malia Campbell who is also one of the top sprinters to provide insurance in case anything goes wrong with one of the other stars on their team.
If something goes wrong for Landmark, the most likely contenders are Savannah Arts, Appling County, and Athens Academy. Savannah Arts will rely heavily on distance events but could sweep them with Margaret Wade and Lyric Olson. Wade is a definite favorite in the 1600 and 3200 while Olson should have only one potential challenger in the 800 (Brown) while also favored for top 3 in the 1600. Appling County is more focused on jumps, sprints, and relays. Cadence Cray and Perry Mitchell will do what they can in the sprints for points while Jade Akins tries to get them points in both hurdle events. Teandra Clemons is their star athlete who is favored to win the high jump and will contend in the long jump. Athens Academy has throwers and distance runners leading the way for them in their point scoring pursuits. Veronika Babbitt could win both throwing events for them which would help get them a fast start and Sarah Harrison is projected to score in all 3 distance events.
Almost all of the star power comes from these teams in the meet projection. But some other contenders include Madeline Cooper in the 100/200, Ellison Chadwick in the 400, Elizabeth Shaylor in the 1600 and 3200, Macada Mcdonald who could win both hurdle events, Halle Carden and Josie Collins in the high jump, Jada Patterson and Naomi Stith in the horizontal jumps, Sophie Scruggs and Aurora Parlotto in the Pole Vault, Shelby Speed and Meredith Campuzano in the discus, and Whitnee Miller in the shot put.
