2011 Georgia Middle School State Championships Preview
Over 860 of the state's top middle school track and field competitors are heading to Lilburn, Ga. for the 2011 Georgia MS Track & Field Championships, April 29- April 30 in the “Big Orange Jungle” on the campus of Parkview High School.
The Middle School Championships are a state wide competition which allows grades 6th – 8th entry into a maximum of 4 events ranging from the pole vault to the 3200m. The Georgia MS Track & Field Championships are scored for team championships and individual honors are given to the top female and male performers.
The 2011 Championship meet will feature great competition from several top runners, jumpers, and throwers.
Sprints
Aliyah Abramsleads a blazing field in the girl’s sprints. She is the defending 200m and 400m champ. Challenging her will be teammate, Venida Fagan and newcomer, Mackenzie Dunmore. Leading the way in the 100m is Shiloh’s Airica Palmer. Tinisha Watson and Shania Evans will put Palmer to the test for the 100m crown. Look out for Marielle Lewis, Lauren Rasmus, Heyley Gatewood, and Erika Evans of Sutton MS in the hurdle races.
Kawon Bryantheadlines the boy’s sprint events. Columbia’s 1-2 punch in Denzel Franklin and Antonio Manson will provide a tremendous battle for Kawon. Kevon Grace, Ryan Clark, Jeremy McDuffie, and Jimmy Mocombre will add to an already deep field in the sprints. Taylor Yarbrough, Tabius Padgett, Charlie Woerner, and Octavious Willingham of ACS lead the way in the boy’s hurdles.
Distance
Marielle Lewis of Gazelle TC leads the field in the 800m. The state record is 2:27 and Ms. Lewis has already clocked in a 2:24. Mackenzie Dunmore, Kennedy Simon, and Mackenzie Ellison also have their eyes set on 800m gold. Bleckley County’s Ellen Powell looks to complete a successful season by attempting to capture the 1600m title. She will be faced with tough competition from Christie Sanders, Rachel Sigler, and DeKalb County champ, Jasmir Spearman. Deanna Lewis, Antwonette Thomas, Aubrey Bennett, and Camille Fahrnbauer lead the girls in the 3200m.
Alex Murfeelooks to double in the 1600m and 3200m. He will have to face Cole Thornton, Josh Warren, and Riley Freidman in order to complete his cross country to track and field sweep of the distance events. Josiah Brooks, Drew Sands, and Austin Gray will attempt to break the 2:10 mark while battling for gold in the 800m.
Field Events
In the Long jump, Demetrius Mcwhorter, Christopher McBride, and Kawon Bryant have all jump 19ft and are looking to break the 20ft barrier on Friday. Mcwhorter will be the one to beat in the triple jump as well. Jenkins Scott and Kenneth Brinson lead the shot put competition. Ben Foley looks to break the pole vault state record on Saturday. Quadarrious Dorsey appears to be primed to take home the gold medal in the discus.
In the girl’s Discus, Kamryn Brinson and Savannah Pryor lead all competitors. Chelsea Zoller is the favorite to win the Triple Jump competition. The girl’s Pole Vault will feature Jackie Goodwin and Darcy Smith. Summer Thompson will attempt to leap 16ft in the girls Long Jump and Morgan Taylor looks to dominate the shot put.
Relays
4x100m= Athens Christian, Oak Hill MS, and Holy Innocents will have to deal with the Rate of Motion TC who are entered with a sub 48.00 seed time. Grovetown MS, Columbia MS, and Athens Christian are leading a blazing field in the boy’s 400m relay.
4x400m= Rate of Motion TC leads the field in the mile relay as well. Look for these young ladies to run under 4 minutes. Columbia MS looks to represent DeKalb’s sprint pedigree as they lead the boys relay.
4x800m= The 2010 State Champions, Gazelle TC are back to defend their title. Woodward Academy and Bleckley County will challenge the talented Gazelle squad. On the boy’s side, Woodward Academy boys are set to dominate while Track Phi Track and RS Track Club look for the upset.