Photo by Nevin Watson
10. Will any relay records get broken this spring?
Last year we didn't get any new records in the relays, but we had several teams come very close. We saw plenty of relays land on our top ten all time lists. The closest anybody got for the girls was Brookwood in the 4x200m which was 2nd fastest all time. But Westlake also went #2 all time on the boys side in both the 4x100m and 4x200m. Then Southwest Dekalb went #2 in the 4x400 and Carrollton went #2 in the 4x800. It was a year of almost for the boys, so it'll be interesting to see if that motivates any of these squads to come out here and do it again. Pebblebrook and Buford boys have the most talent on paper in the 100, but don't count out a school like Westlake who gets to use guys like Sidi Njie on the relay as well. Buford's best chance probably comes in the 4x200 though as they've got FOUR returners who have broken 22 while nobody else has more than 2. Pebblebrook and Westlake are also in the mix for this one. And we shouldn't count out Langston Hughes who has the state record holder in the 100m on their team. They put up top ten all time performances in both relays last year and will probably have a strong squad again this year. The 4x200 is by far the easier record to break since it's the newer event to our state meet. I have a good feeling we will see that record broken this year. I don't think anybody has the firepower to break the 4x400 record. But if anybody has a chance at it, it's probably Buford who put up the 3rd fastest time in state history last year and returns a strong group. If one of their 100/200 guys can step up to the 400, then they just might be able to get it. But it's a pretty tough record to get as it's the 14th fastest time in US history.
For the girls it's not a surprise that Westlake is probably the best bet in the 4x100 and 4x200. But I won't count out Woodward or Alexander for any relay records. And Hillgrove has Ryan Davis as their star athlete who could be a difference maker as well. North Cobb also looks to be pretty strong in the 4x200 this year and much like the boys, that record is probably the softest of all of them since it's the new one. I could see this record going down to one or more of these schools at some point this year. But I don't think anybody quite has the firepower to knock off the 4x1 or 4x4 records. The sprint medley relays don't seem to be run as often as they used to now that we added the 4x200 and 4x800. But if any of the already mentioned squads decide to focus on one of those events at one point this year we could see some new top ten performances, and possibly a new state record.
On the distance side the 4x800 is also a fairly new event and you'd think would be the easiest to break. But I'm not sure if anybody has the depth to make it happen this year. Blessed Trinity and Marietta are the ones who look the closest on paper for the girls. While Harrison and West Forsyth look the closest on the boys side. But the team I'll throw out there as maybe having the best chance is Marist boys. They've got a stud in Tommy Latham that can anchor it and two other really good 800 runners. It wouldn't surprise me to see them take their shot at multiple distance records this year, and their best event could be the Distance Medley Relay if they can get a little bit of improvement in the 400. Fortunately you lose the least amount of time on that leg, so I could see them taking a shot at that record. The 4x1600 records are both pretty tough to break, but Marist boys or Marietta girls might be capable of it. And with Westminster having their best boys XC season ever and 3 really good distance guys, they could also try to take that one down.