It's time to Vote for the Georgia Track and Field Breakthrough of the Week!
Breakthrough of the Week is meant to highlight performances of athletes who achieved big improvements and stepped things up to a new level.
We will do this once a week and we will have up to 10 nominees for both boys and girls each week
Here's the lineup for this week's vote:
Anjali Smith (Northside Columbus) cleared 5-8 in the high jump at Harris County Wednesday Night #2 on March 25, improving from her previous best of 5-2. The mark ranks #4 in Georgia and #1 among freshmen, and set a school record for Northside Columbus. Smith also recorded personal bests in the 200 meters (26.84, down from 26.90) and 300m hurdles (49.32, down from 49.78) at the same meet.
Kaloni Styles (Coffee) ran 14.27 in the 100m hurdles at the Coffee Insta-Shed Invitational 2026 on March 26, lowering her previous best from 15.01. The time ranks #25 in Georgia and #9 among juniors, and established a school record for Coffee. Styles won the event among 11 competitors.
Jalyn Robinson (Jackson County) clocked 25.08 in the 200 meters at the Pachuta Insurance Track & Field Classic on March 27, improving from 25.98. The senior's time ranks #115 in Georgia and #30 in her class. Robinson also ran a personal best 57.22 in the 400 meters, down from 58.10.
Evie Jackson (North Oconee) cleared 11-6 in the pole vault at the Pachuta Insurance Track & Field Classic on March 27, bettering her previous mark of 11-0. The junior ranks #14 in Georgia and #1 in her class with the height, finishing second among 15 competitors.
Shalonda Myers (Gainesville) ran 12.06 in the 100 meters at the Hall County Track and Field Championships on March 28, improving from 12.31 set in March. The freshman's time ranks #73 in Georgia and #2 among freshmen, placing third in a field of 16.
Anniston Willis (Bainbridge) ran 11:37.37 in the 3200 meters at Harmon's Invitational on March 28, lowering her previous best from 11:52.32. The freshman's time ranks #99 in Georgia and #9 in her class, and set a school record for Bainbridge High School.
Bria Tatum (Buford) clocked 2:21.48 in the 800 meters at the Gwinnett County Varsity Championship on March 28, improving from 2:23.11 set in March. The sophomore ranks #87 in Georgia and #16 in her class, finishing fourth among 39 competitors.
Voting Closes on Sunday at Midnight!
Note - This is not necessarily the most improved performances of the week, but a way to highlight those that may have had their best performance so far among athletes who should be competitive during the championship season.
Once an Athlete wins, they will no longer be nominated for athlete of the week. We will keep a running tally of each week's winner and then after the season have a final vote for athlete of the year.
Past Winners
Week 1: Piper Atwood - Parkview - Improved her PR from 10-0 to 11-1 to win All Comers Series #1
Week 2: Lauren Johnson - Woodward Academy - Improved her Pr in the discus from 97-11 to 107-10 to break 100 for the first time at Westminster Varsity Home Meet
Week 3: Janelle Taylor (Model) ran 2:21.38 in the 800 meters at the Model Six Lane Spectacular on March 5, improving from 2:27.56 set in May 2025. The junior won among 6 competitors and ranks #78 in Georgia and #14 among juniors.
Week 4: Monica Mathis (Northside Columbus) ran 26.62 in the 200 meters at the Rome Relays on March 14, improving from her previous best of 27.03 set in March 2026. The sophomore finished fourth of 35 competitors and won her heat.
Week 5: Lauren Lauer (Houston County, Warner Robins) ran 11:52.87 in the 3200 meters at the International City Relays on March 18, dropping from her previous time of 12:08.56. Lauer won the event among 16 competitors and ranks #143 in Georgia.