Gabby Smith from St. Francis winning the 2nd fastest heat of the 300m hurdles last year. Can she win the meet overall this year?
2023 Middle School State Meet Preview
The middle school state meet is the middle school state meet. Those who have been know exactly what I am talking about and those who have not been wouldn't believe what others say about it. Middle school state might be the definition of organized chaos with 136 teams and almost 2,000 athletes entered. One thing we do know is that if there is any staff that can handle this size of meet, it is Coach Henson and his staff at Parkview! If you want to see the sport and an authentic, grass roots level, head on over to Parkview HS this weekend for some fun and exciting competition at the Middle School State Championships!
Friday Field Events
Boys Long Jump
In the boys long jump, Bryan Duncan of Washington MS is the class of the field with a PR of 22-10. This mark is almost 3 feet ahead of the next closest competitor and is the only entry above 20-0. Geno Houchins of Mount Pisgah Christian School comes in with a PR of 19-10.2 and will look to grab a podium spot Friday night. Fighting for that third podium spot will be Anterius Rogers of Factory Shoals MS at 19-9.5, Shamon Thrash of Trinity Christian MS at 19-8.5 and Will Rogers of North Hall MS at 19-8.
Girls Triple Jump
Dilynngher Benson of Marietta MS leads the girls triple jump field with a mark of 36-0. This is the best mark in the field by over a foot and a half. The next closest competitor is Reagan May of Greater Atlanta Christian at 34-2. This looks like Benson's competition to lose but don't expect May to just hand it to her. Looking to grab the final podium spot will be Kenedi Clemons of Sapphire-Ruff Riders TC at 33-7.5 and Emma Phillips of Bremen MS at 33-3. These two are the only other athletes entered above 33-0.
Girls High Jump
The girls high jump looks to be a good competition with 6 girls entered at 4-10 or higher. Violet Patton of Jefferson MS leads the field with a PR of 5-2 and a season's best of 5-0. If she can produce this performance Friday night, then a gold medal is in her future. Justine Nevels of South Effingham MS comes in with a PR of 5-0 and a season's best of 4-10 will look to challenge Justine for the top spot. Other athletes entered at 4-10 are Kaliyah Oliver of Carrollton Junior HS, Majesty Ware of Heard County MS, Ciana Hamlin of Coastal Georgia TC and Leona Nugent of Drew Charter Junior Academy.
Boys Shot Put
Eli Akins of Athens Christian leads the boys shot put field with a put of 46-5.5 which leads the field by 9 inches. In the shot put, this is not a big difference so while Eli is the favorite, it is not by much. Daniel Guevera of North Hall MS has a mark of 45-8.5 this season and will look to break the 46-0 barrier for the first time. Friday night at the MS state meet would be a great time to do that. Filling out the race for the podium are John Osgatharp of MacIntyre Park MS at 44-10.5 and Harrison Hickox of Appling County MS at 43-8. While Hickox has only reached 43-8 this season, he has a PR of 45-11 from last year. If he can gfet out to that range this year, he will definitely be in the mix for the win.
Friday Running Events
3200
The girl 3200 looks to be a great battle between 3 athletes who have all run under 11:30 this season. Paige Comstock of Edge Running Club and Liliana Beemer of Evans MS lead the field with PRs od 11:18 and 11:22 respectively. These two battled it out at the Marietta MS Invite with Paige getting the better of Liliana. Looking to grab the final podium spot is Morgan Huggins of The Mount Vernon School who has run 11:24 this season. I can see this race coming down to a final lap kick with all three of these athletes in the mix.
The boys 3200 is led by Edge Running Club teammates Riley Comstock and Sam Comsudes who have both gone under 10:00 this season and are the only athletes in the field to have run under 10:00. It looks like the state title will be going to the Edge Running Club, but we will have to wait to see to which athlete. Riley has the slight edge over Sam with their PRs being 9:50 and 9:56 respectively. The battle for a final podium spot looks to be between Maverick Smith of North Hall at 10:20, Dash Brackin of Fairplay MS at 10:26, Tyler Ebbert of Lovett MS at 10:27 and Lucas Fortenberry of Marietta MS at 10:30. These athletes are separated by only 10 seconds and in the 3200, this means we will likely see a large pack until a couple of laps to go.
*The 100m and 400m prelims are also Friday night but they are previewed under the Saturday running events*
Saturday Field Events
Girls Long Jump
In the girls long jump, there are 4 girls entered above 16-7 with the top 2 entries above 17-0. Janessa Brown of Lightning Spikes Track Club is the top entry at 17-8.5 but has not jumped yet this season. The top seed based on results from this season is Aszlyin Reese of Bay Springs MS who has jumped 17-6.5 which is the only athlete who has jumped further than 17-0 this season. Janie Goldin of Buford MS looks to grab the final podium spot with a PR jump of 16-10. Lyric Turner of Marietta MS and Avanni Henry of Jackrabbit Track and Field will be in the mix as well as both athlete have jumped 16-7.5 and 16-7 respectively.
Boys Triple Jump
The boys triple jump looks to be a battle between 3 athletes who are entered at 38-10 or better. Lagracion Little of Clarke Central MS is the top entry with a PR jump of 39-1. One inch behind him is Ethan Tisdal of Heard County MS at 39-0. Rounding out the podium spots is Ivelino Herard of Villa Rica MS at 38-10.5. Should these athletes falter, Steve Koonce of W.R. Coile MS and Will Rogers of North Hall MS will be looking to pick up a medal with PRs of 38-5 and 38-2 respectively.
Boys High Jump
The boys high jump Friday night should be a great competition. 4 boys come in to the competition having cleared 5-8 with the 5th competitor clearing 5-7. Giovanni Tuggle of Bear Creek MS, Ethan Tisdal of Heard County MS, Jaylen Samuel of St. Francis MS and Cam Morgan of Fairplay MS all come in having cleared 5-8 this season. Drew Cronan of North Hall MS comes in with a PR of 5-7. After these athletes there are 5 more boys who have cleared 5-6. A podium spot will more than likely require a jump of 5-8 if not higher.
Girls Shot Put
In the girls shot put, there are 3 athletes entered with a mark above 40-0. Naysa Brewer of Jackrabbit Track and Field is the favorite with a PR put of 42-9 which is 10 inches further than the next closest competitor. Aila Courtenay of St. Francis MS is a clear favorite for second with a mark of 41-11. Following her is Kennedy Cason of Landmark Christian with a mark of 40-9.5.
Boys Discus
In the boys discus, it looks like it is Jacob Herndon's competition to lose. The Loganville MS athlete has a PR and season's best of 150-5 which is over 10 feet further than the next closest competitor. Eli Akins of Athens Christian comes in with a mark of 139-4 which puts him comfortable in second. Third seed Bryson Jenkins of Bremen MS has a mark of 138-1 from the middle of March. One athlete that has to be mentioned is Thoreau Lipscomb of Cartersville MS. He has a season's best of 137-2 but has a lifetime PR of 142-10. With his PR, he has to be mentioned and will be in the mix this weekend.
Pole Vault
Avery Ross of Trinity Christian-Sharpsburg comes in as the top seed after clearing 9-4 a couple weeks ago at the GAPPS MS Championships. Alexa Grossman of AIS is the next closest competitor at 9-0 and is the only other athlete in the field who has cleared 9-0 this season. Behind these two are Madeline Sappington of Pace Academy and Caddie Grow of Athens Academy who have both cleared 8-6 this year. Sappington has a PR of 9-6 so if she can find her old form, then she will be in the mix to win this weekend.
Saturday Running Events
1600
The girls 1600 will be a battle of 3200 favorites Paige Comstock of Edge Running Club and Liliana Beemer of Evans MS. Liliana comes in as the favorite after running 5:12 a couple weeks ago. Add to this that she also ran a 2:18 in the 800, shows that she has the speed and strength to get the job done. Paige has run 5:19 this season and has a lifetime PR of 5:14 so I expect her to be up front early. We will have to wait and see if she can hang on late to grab the win. Summer Muxlow of North Hall MS will look to grab a podium spot with a PR of 5:22. She has also run 1:04 for the 400 so if she can be in the mix with a lap to go then she might surprise some people.
In the boys 1600, Riley Comstock of Edge Running Club is the overwhelming favorite. He has run 4:29 this season which is 10 seconds ahead of the next closest competitor and teammate Ruben Ramirez who has run 4:39. Looking to battle it out for a final podium spot will be Jacob Grant of DeSana MS, Vincent Pifer and Zachary Blackwood of Greyhound TC who have run 4:42, 4:44 and 4:45 respectively.
100 hurdles
On paper, it looks like Adrianna Haynes is the clear favorite. She has not run the 100 hurdles this season but has a PR of 14.37 which is over 1 second ahead of the next best athlete in the field. Makayla Clark is definitely more race sharp than Adrianna as she has run four 100 hurdle races this season and has won all of those races with the fastest time being 15.64. Gabby Smith of St. Francis MS is right behind Makayla at 15.69 seconds and will look to grab the final podium spot.
The boys 100 hurdles features 3 boys who have run under 14.60. Jeremiah Burns of Dodge County MS is the class of the field after running 14.10 a few weeks ago at the MGMSSA Region Championships. Zachery Daniels of Villa Rica MS will look to push Jeremiah to the line with a PR of 14.24. Rounding out the final potential podium spot is Ayden Watson of Carrollton Junior HS with a PR of 14.54.
400
The girls 400 is led by 4 girls who are entered under 1:00 with 3 of them running that time this season. The top entry is Sarah Marshall of Greater Atlanta Christian at 56.53 but she has not run that time yet this season. This will be her first 400 of the season so it is hard to know exactly where she is at. But with a PR that quick, she has to be mentioned. London Emery of Landmark Christian comes in with the fastest time run this season at 58.65 and is the slight favorite to bring home the gold medal this weekend. Looking to chase her down is Sydney Sherrod of Greater Atlanta Christian who has run 59.02 this year and Kaelyn Ashley of Carver MS who has run 59.89. The battle for a podium spot will more than likely require a sub 1:00 performance.
The boys 400 looks to be one of the more competitive races this weekend. There are 5 boys entered who have all run under 54 seconds this season. Leading the field is Epalahame Tonga-Taylor of Oak Hill MS with a time of 52.11 which makes him almost 1 second ahead of the next closest competitor. Stanley Smart of Coastal Georgia TC comes in seeded second with a time of 52.95 and the only other boy entered under 53 seconds. Looking to fill out the final podium spots are Landyn Buchanan of Legacy Athletics at 53.45, Zion Prescott of Drive Phase Inc at 53.50 and Quenton Ervin of Carver MS at 53.74.
100
The middle school state meet can be somewhat difficult to interpret at some athletes have run many meets in the season and some have run none and this is the case with the girls 100. Melanie Doggett of Major Impact Track Club has the fastest time this season at 11.98. Teammate Somto Igwilo is entered at 11.79 but has not run the event this season. Other athletes looking for a podium spot are Makayla Watts of Lamar County who is entered at 12.05 and Mina Lovelace of Peak Performance South who is entered at 12.20. From what I can tell, neither Makayla or Mina have raced this yet this season.
The boys 100 is the opposite of the girls 100 with the top 5 athletes all having times from this season. Bryan Duncan of Washington MS comes in as the favorite at 11.09. Mondarius Reese of KIPP Atlanta East won the APS Middle Championships in 11.33 and is the second fastest seed. Looking to grab a final podium spot is a close battle between Jordan Christie of Stephenson MS at 11.37, Jeremiah Burns of Dodge County MS at 11.44 and Josiah Gatson of Mill Creek Junior Hawks at 11.44.
800
In the girls 800, Liliana Beemer of Evans MS will look to add a third medal to her weekend tally. She is the top seed in the 800 after running 2:18 a few weeks ago. The next closest competitor is Summer Muxlow of North Hall MS who has run 2:25.90 this season. Madisyn Goddard of Sapphire-Ruff Riders TC is entered at 2:23 and Morgan Means of Drive Phase Inc. is entered at 2:24 but neither athlete has run the 800 this season. With those PRs though, they should definitely be in the mix as they open up their season and prepare for the summer track circuit.
Riley Comstock of Edge Running Club will also look to add a third medal to his weekend tally, with it possibly being a 3rd gold medal. Riley has run 2:02 this season which is 5 seconds faster than the next closest competitor. Vincent Pifer has run 2:07 and will look to hang on to Riley as long as possible. After these 2 athletes there are another 8 athletes entered at 2:08-2:10. A podium spot will most definitely take a 2:08 or faster effort with the top spot coming very close to 2:00.
200
In the girls 200, Olivia Harris of Jackrabbit Track and Field leads the field with a season's best of 24.85. She has a lifetime PR of 24.34 and will look to reach that mark this weekend. Chasing Olivia for the top spot will be Melanie Doggett of Mount Pisgah Christian School and Zion Bullard of Belair MS. They have run 25.43 and 25.44 respectively this season so the battle for second place should be very close.
The boys 200m features 2 athletes who have gone under 23 seconds this season. Bryan Duncan of Washington MS leads the field with a season's best and PR of 22.60 and he is followed closely by Quintez Grimes of Drew Charter Junior Academy at 22.76. These two are the only athletes entered who have gone under 23 seconds so I see this as being the battle for the gold medal. Tepalahame Tonga-Taylor, who is the favorite in the 400, will look to use his strength to challenge for a medal on Saturday. He has a 23.13 wind aided PR to his name with his fastest non wind aided time at 23.64.
300 hurdles
Gabby Smith of St. Francis and Moriah Campbell of Landmark Christian lead the girls 300 hurdle field with times of 47.12 and 47.16 respectively. Sydney Sherrod of Greater Atlanta Christian is the only other athlete who has gone under 48 seconds this season at 47.81. These three athletes look to be the podium favorites this weekend. Carolina Kimmich of AIS has a lifetime PR of 47.94 but has only run 49.82 in her two meets this season. If she can find her old form, then she could be right in the mix Saturday afternoon.
In the boys 300 hurdles, teammates Jaydin Heath-Smith and Jackie Weldon of North Paulding Jr High will look to complete the 1-2 sweep. They have run 42.95 and 43.63 respectively this season which ranks them 1st and 3rd in the field. Looking to break up the sweep will be Quenton Ervin of Carver MS who has run 43.18 this season which is good enough for second in the field. Chasing these 3 down will be Hamza Tavarez-Baker of Carrollton Junior High and Jaylen Samuel of St. Francis MS. Hamza has run 43.71 this season with Jaylen right behind at 43.80, which are also the only other remaining athletes entered under 44 seconds.