The weekend of March 11th produced some amazing results from Georgia athletes. Brittany Hall goes 2:09 2 in the 800m for a top 4 finish at NSIC. Nicole Okolo goes 13.83 for the 100m hurdles, the first time I can remember that 14 seconds was broken in the 100m hurdles this early. Southwest Dekalb, Stephenson and Collins Hill are now 1st, 2nd and 3rd all time in the Sprint Medley Relay. Can we get these three teams together and maybe see a sub 4 minute 1600m SMR? On the boys side, St. Pius had an amazing race at the Panther Relays going 3:29:44 in the 1600m Sprint Medley, the 2nd fastest all time in the state of Georgia. Here\'s a name you might have heard before...Antonio McKay, Jr. that is. A 400m runner with quite a pedigree that\'s making a name for himself these days. Keep up the good work gentlemen and congrats on a great race.
In the distance races, Ben Hubers was...well Ben Hubers. 9:19 for the 3200m in the Cobb Gwinnett Challenge running by himself. What an amazing talent and humility to match...a winning combination in anybody\'s book. Jackie Drouin ran 5:01 for the mile at NIN to take 3rd in her heat, an impressive early season time for the Collins Hill phenom. We even had a newcomer on the scene put up some impressive early season times. Freshman Nicole DeMurcurio, of North Gwinnett, doesn\'t appear on the region cross country results and yet she captured 1st place this weekend in the Cobb-Gwinnett challenge 1600m in 5:25 and followed that up with a 11:55 3200 to take 2nd place. Talk about a fresh face...where did this girl come from? Impressive start young lady and it definitely evokes memories of another North Gwinnett freshman that had eerily similar numbers her 1st year. Top props though have to go to Ms. Hall from Meadowcreek. Her 2:09.20 ranks as the 2nd fastest all time in the state of Georgia, an amazing feat this early in the season. We\'re all looking forward to seeing what you can do by May. As for a name to watch out for, remembe Aisha-Maree Fraizer, a young 800m runner out of Marietta who was quite impressive at the Cobb-Gwinnett Challenge this weekend posting a win in 2:20.
In the sprint races, Evander Wells and Justin Christian had an outstanding meet at NSIC. Evander brings home 2nd place with a 6.79 time in the 60m and followed that up with a 21.38 in the 200m. Armanti Hayes and Justin Christian also ran well in the 200 with times of 21.84 and 22.0 respectively. Justin Christian followed that up with a fourth place in the 60m in 6.9. Tim Grier also ran well, finishing 3rd overall in the 60m hurdles in 8.03. Joanna Atkins, of Stephenson, also posted some big numbers, going 24.30 in the 200m.while having posted a 54 and change 400m earlier this year.
Field events also provided us with some remarkable efforts. Jordan Scott...what can you say about this kid that hasn\'t already been said. Part of the 1st ever group of 3 vaulters over 17\' at NIN, while finishing tied for 2nd. If you do nothing else this season, make it a point to come out and watch this young man compete sometime this season. In the throws, the key word here is Machovec pronounced MA-coe-vic. Sister Eve throws 143\'11 to go along with a 40\' shot put while brother Israel goes 175\' in the discus to go with a 57\'1 shot put. Eve\'s 143\'11\" ranks her 7th all time in the state of Georgia...not bad for a sophomore. The amazing part is she can run a 62 400m and triple jump about 34\' as well...talk about multi talented, this young lady is a joy to watch. In the indoor scene, EmilY Bernhardt had quite a weekend winning the weight event at both the NIN and NSIC this past weekend while retaining her number one national ranking. Lauren Chambers, of Kell, also broke her own freshman national record in the weigth, finishing 2nd at NSIC. Amazing job ladies!
Just another ho hum week in Georgia track and field competition. Looking forward to what next week brings. Good luck to all!