The 2006 Girls state meet has come and gone, putting a cap on an amazing season for the ladies. Names like Long, Dacus, Vaughn, Castlin, Reese, Drouin, Hall, Borsare, Goodman and the accomplishments associated with those names will be a part of many a track conversation in years to come. When you look back on it, it's been an amazing year for the girls. One look at the rankings page and it's easy to see that this year's crop of runners, throwers and jumpers has to rank as one of Georgia's best ever. The state meet is the chance for those stars to shine bright and this year, they did exactly that. We begin with Brittany Long out of Therrell High School, who posted the #3 all time mark in the 100m with her 11.54 and followed it up with a 23.99 in the 200m, number 8 on the all time list. Her time ranks her ahead of someone by the name of Gwen Torrence, a name that is vaguely familiar. What an amazing year for Brittany, whose times were so impressive throughout the season and what a year for the girls of Therrell who competed in one of the toughest regions in the state regardless of classification. She also ran a leg on the 4x100 team that posted a 46.58, a time that ranks number 3 all time in the state. Waiting in the wings is a young lady from Newnan Georgia by the name of Cholanda Goodman. Only a freshman, Cholanda posted an 11.91 in the 100m and a 24.19 in the 200m. You think she might bear watching in the future? I think the future of Georgia sprinting is in good hands.
In the hurdles, picking a headliner is a bit of a problem. Kristi Castlin, Caroline Vaughn, Jasmine Dacus, Quaneshia Clekely, or Nicole Okolo…who would you pick? Castlin's time ranks number 2 all time in the state in the 100m hurdles. Jasmine's 42.13 from earlier in the season ranks number 4 all time in the state, Nicole Okolo is a top 5 all time performer based on her performance earlier this season in the 100's, and then there is Caroline Vaughn and Quaneshia Clekely who happen to compete in the toughest region around. Once again, 2 top 10 all time performers in one region along with a strong number 3 in 43.3 by Clekely…it really makes you wish that there was another way to qualify our runners for state but until they find the right formula, all we can do is stand back and admire the determination and hard work of these young ladies that produced such fine results. What a group and maybe the strongest top 5 group in any event in the state.
In the 400 and 800, Porche Byrd, from North Atlanta, showed that change can sometimes be good as she posted the top time in the 400m with her 53.73 at state. Joanna Atkins, of Stephenson, continued the tradition of strong 400m runners out of Stephenson with her 54.62 to go with her 200m in 24.30. Jasmine Dacus, of Westlake, posted a win in the 400m as well to go along with her 300m hurdle race….unbelievable. She then came back and ran on the 4x400 team that placed second to Therrell, giving her 3 races of 300m or better at state, posting impressive times throughout. And then there's the 800m and a young lady by the name of Brittany Hall. If you read the messageboard, you've no doubt heard about the trials and tribulations that Ms. Hall went through on the way to her 2:08.58, a time that ranks her as the best ever in Georgia history. Suffering an injury on Monday, Brittany was able to overcome it somehow find the will power to post a nation leading mark. It's hard to believe that she's only a junior. Impressive stuff and again, one of those stories that people will talk about for years…you can almost imagine what it will sound like, "Do you remember the year that girl from Meadowcreek ran a sub 2:10 on one leg at the state meet? Dangdest thing I've ever seen." Well, that's how I'd tell it anyway.
And then there's the 1600 and 3200 group. Let's start with Harriott Kelly, of Lovett. I remember when she was just a sophomore and her dad had to email me because everyone kept calling her Kelly Harriott! I don't think that will be a problem anymore. The Virginia signee posted an 11:04 to win the state championship and followed up her sub 11 performance from earlier this year. She took a close 2nd to Haley Kolff of Holy Innocents in the 1600m the following night to give region 5-AA two outstanding representatives at state. What an amazing progression for this young lady and best of luck next year in college. But this year, there must be something in the water as break out performances were happening all year. Sure, there's the Emily vs. Emily saga and Jackie Drouin posting jaw dropping times all over the place but then there's Jennifer Barbi, a talented junior out of South Forsyth that posts a sub 11 after a disappointing finish in the 1600m where she was passed in the last straight away. Talk about stepping up to the challenge! She was the fifth Georgia runner to break 11 minutes in the 3200 this season. Then there's Emma Bussard, of Carrollton, whose 20 points helped propel Carrollton to the state title over an amazing Therrell squad. Emma, a sophomore, posted an 11:19 during the season to rank number 8 overall in the 3200 this season. Kudos as well to the Holy Innocents duo of Haley Kolff and Ali McWhirter, members of 5-AA along with Kelly of Lovett, for their 1st place in the 1600 and 2nd place in the 3200. As for the Emily's and the Drouin's…what can be said that hasn't already been said. You young ladies have lifted the bar for the whole state. You've shown athletes that it is possible to run those incredible times and that will last longer than your short four years in high school. Job well done!
Before I close out my take on the running side of things, there is one other group that deserves mention here. Stephenson's 4x400 team and their 3:46.47 showing. They finish the season ranked #2 all time behind the number one ranked team from…Stephenson High School. I wonder if Coach Wallace knows a little bit about the 400m? Southwest Dekalb also posted an eye popping 3:47 at region to rank as the number four team of all time. Both teams were strong all season long and capped off an incredible season in running for Georgia athletes.
The 2006 Girls state meet has come and gone, putting a cap on an amazing season for the ladies. Names like Long, Dacus, Vaughn, Castlin, Reese, Drouin, Hall, Borsare, Goodman and the accomplishments associated with those names will be a part of many a track conversation in years to come. When you look back on it, it's been an amazing year for the girls. One look at the rankings page and it's easy to see that this year's crop of runners, throwers and jumpers has to rank as one of Georgia's best ever. The state meet is the chance for those stars to shine bright and this year, they did exactly that. We begin with Brittany Long out of Therrell High School, who posted the #3 all time mark in the 100m with her 11.54 and followed it up with a 23.99 in the 200m, number 8 on the all time list. Her time ranks her ahead of someone by the name of Gwen Torrence, a name that is vaguely familiar. What an amazing year for Brittany, whose times were so impressive throughout the season and what a year for the girls of Therrell who competed in one of the toughest regions in the state regardless of classification. She also ran a leg on the 4x100 team that posted a 46.58, a time that ranks number 3 all time in the state. Waiting in the wings is a young lady from Newnan Georgia by the name of Cholanda Goodman. Only a freshman, Cholanda posted an 11.91 in the 100m and a 24.19 in the 200m. You think she might bear watching in the future? I think the future of Georgia sprinting is in good hands.
In the hurdles, picking a headliner is a bit of a problem. Kristi Castlin, Caroline Vaughn, Jasmine Dacus, Quaneshia Clekely, or Nicole Okolo…who would you pick? Castlin's time ranks number 2 all time in the state in the 100m hurdles. Jasmine's 42.13 from earlier in the season ranks number 4 all time in the state, Nicole Okolo is a top 5 all time performer based on her performance earlier this season in the 100's, and then there is Caroline Vaughn and Quaneshia Clekely who happen to compete in the toughest region around. Once again, 2 top 10 all time performers in one region along with a strong number 3 in 43.3 by Clekely…it really makes you wish that there was another way to qualify our runners for state but until they find the right formula, all we can do is stand back and admire the determination and hard work of these young ladies that produced such fine results. What a group and maybe the strongest top 5 group in any event in the state.
In the 400 and 800, Porche Byrd, from North Atlanta, showed that change can sometimes be good as she posted the top time in the 400m with her 53.73 at state. Joanna Atkins, of Stephenson, continued the tradition of strong 400m runners out of Stephenson with her 54.62 to go with her 200m in 24.30. Jasmine Dacus, of Westlake, posted a win in the 400m as well to go along with her 300m hurdle race….unbelievable. She then came back and ran on the 4x400 team that placed second to Therrell, giving her 3 races of 300m or better at state, posting impressive times throughout. And then there's the 800m and a young lady by the name of Brittany Hall. If you read the messageboard, you've no doubt heard about the trials and tribulations that Ms. Hall went through on the way to her 2:08.58, a time that ranks her as the best ever in Georgia history. Suffering an injury on Monday, Brittany was able to overcome it somehow find the will power to post a nation leading mark. It's hard to believe that she's only a junior. Impressive stuff and again, one of those stories that people will talk about for years…you can almost imagine what it will sound like, "Do you remember the year that girl from Meadowcreek ran a sub 2:10 on one leg at the state meet? Dangdest thing I've ever seen." Well, that's how I'd tell it anyway.