(via www.ghsa.net) Team Pics of the GHSA Boys State Champions. Pictured above is St.Pius X.
Once Hancock Central hit the track at Jefferson, they began to feel right at home, driving to the A Public title and clinching before the 4x400m relay but added a 4th place finish scoring 62 points besting runnerup Dooly County by 6 points. Sonate' Reynolds was the horse driving the carriage for Hancock winning the 100m, placing 2nd in the 200m and anchoring the 4x100m squad to Gold. Schley County ground out a 3rd place finish at 49 and Claxton outlasted Terrell County by a point taking home 4th overall.
Athens Christian continued to pound away Saturday having chances to score in 7 events, locking up another state title early in the 400m dash with the brothers' Brooks going 1-2. This is the 4th consecutive title for the Golden Eagles who will return the nucleas of their team for 2015. Coach Cummings commented, ACS has been blessed to have great kids that have bought into the program, with many being a part since the 6th grade. Our Lady of Mercy was definitely blessed to have Christian Coleman, as he scored 33.5 points earning 2 'Best Performance' awards in the 100/200m including setting brand new class A Georgia Olympics Records in both events, leading the Bobcats to a great 2nd place team finish. First Presbyterian Day (FPD) picked up points in many events finishing in 3rd place with 60, and Pace Academy led by Kenny Selmon's record setting performances in the Hurdles took 4th at 40.
I must have heard the score wrong after the 300m Hurdles team scores were announced during awards, hearing 'Westminster 67, Lamar County 61', meaning Lamar had to win the 4x400..and hope for Westminster to place 7th/last. But, Lamar actually had a stronger hand trailing by just 1.5 points and their 3rd place finish adding 6 points was more than enough to overtake the Cats' by 2.5 points sealing the 2A title for the Trojans. Lawrence and Lance Austin were key on Saturday scoring 26 points in the Hurdles and 200m as well as being legs on Lamar's relay teams that scored 18.
St.Pius X successfully defended their title scoring 97 points literally 'outdistancing' the Field without winning an event Saturday though Joseph Ferrugia added a silver in the 800m and their 4x400m squad seized a bronze. Coach McClay commented that the Golden Lions this season were blessed with talent and a special group of young men to coach. Cedar Grove had a profitable finals jetting into the runnerup team spot with 59 points and closed their meet by taking Gold in the 4x400m. Speedy Washington County and Elbert County tied for 3rd with 39 each. Quintaveon Poole's double sailing to a 47.30 in the 400m and 21.62 in the 200 was the big highlight in 3A, along with Harper Sigler's bold run in the 800m diving across the line seizing the Gold.
Marist had built a nice lead going into Saturday and needed to take care of business to secure the title early, but a fall in the 800m, threw a slight monkey in the wrench as the War Eagles had to watch with no chances to score in the final 3 events, hoping that Carrollton (who just had an outstanding run at the title Saturday) would not place at least 2nd in the 4x400m. The Trojans fell short by 3.61 seconds as Marist hung on defending their 2013 title. Redan took 3rd at 45 with Banneker 4th a point back.
Mt. Zion Jonesboro scored in every single event Saturday adding a 2nd here, a 3rd there..etc.. and capped it off by finally getting a Gold in the 4x400m relay clocking a 3:16.82 totalling 58 points giving the Bulldogs a much deserved 5A title. Stephenson fought hard till the end scoring 46 securing the runnerup spot with Union Grove a surprising 3rd at 30, with New Machester and Cedar Shoals tying for 4th place at 28. Taylor Huntley of McIntosh came from behind to win the 800m in spectacular fashion defending his title in 1:55.16
Shiloh HS won their first Track title on Saturday afternoon clinching their title early behind the legs of speedy Jeremy McDuffie as he won 4 gold medals leading the Generals march to the Podium. The competition was intense for the runnerup team spot as Brookwood (41) and 3rd place Westlake (40.5) and Rockdale County were right in the mix till their last stride in the 4x400m relay. The 400 and 800m races were epic as both events came down to the wire....
Team Champs were crowned Saturday, with each class having their own path to the title. A full summary of each class is coming beginning late Sunday afternoon, with pics of every winner in each event for all classes. Thursday Field Event participants had to endure blazing hot temps (much like Albany usually is) The 1600 Meter Finals topped off the evening as the sun dropped behind the scoreboard and trees making conditions for fast times possible. Friday, temps cooled, but the action on the Track for 2A-6A prelims was very hot, getting the contenders in position to make runs at titles Saturday. ACS dominated A Private scoring 118 points adding yet another title to their resume. Shiloh, Mt.Zion Jonesboro, Marist, St.Pius X, Lamar County and Hancock Central are your 2014 GHSA Team Champions.
Westlake fell short of winning the 6A title, but closed strong having the fastest 4x400m performance of the Georgia Olympics Finals clocking a 3:16.06
Sandy Creek always has speedy relay squads and Saturday blew out the dust going 41.27 winning the 4x100m race earning the 'Best Performance Award' taking the Gold in the 4A division. The 4x100m win helped the 'Pats' to a 9th place team finish .
Jeramey Hampton from North Gwinnett HS rocked the house in the hottest 800m race of the Georgia Olympics putting it another gear down the homestretch, running down and passing Brookwood's Josh Ingalls just before the line clocking a 1:51.84. Ingalls was .02 back...What a fantastic race!
Jeremy McDuffie from Shiloh was flawless doubling in the 6A hurdles and winning TJ Gold leading the Generals to a much deserved state title.
Darius Watkins from Grovetown HS had an awesome day closing out his HS career sweeping the 5A 100/200 meter dashes
Quintaveon Poole from Washington County was the top 400m man in the state, defending his title and improved his pr to 47.30 in the finals making the top 10 USA MileSplit elite list after his performance. (I cut off the .30 in the scoreboard pic like a dummy)
Selmon destroyed the field in both hurdles events, setting new class records in first the 110 hurdles in 13.96 and later the 300 hurdle race in 37.21 leading Pace Academy to a 4th place team finish with 40 points.
Christian Coleman from Our Lady of Mercy set at least 2 new Individual A records in the short sprints including a 10.38 in the 100m and 21.12 in the 200 meters. He also anchored OLM's 4x100m team to a new record in 41.88.
6A- Kenan Farmer put on a show Thurs nite in the 1600, could he sweep the 6A distance events by taking the 3200m? Or could we get thru this race unscathed with another scattered T'storm raising it's dark purple head with balatas spiking several thousand feet above?
5A- Poteet was impressive and strong in the 1600 going 4:15, could he double in the 3200? Logan left no doubt to who the man in 5A is, grabbing the lead early with the pack tucking in behind splitting lap 1 around 1:06.
St.Pius X ace Austin Sprague was a big favorite to close out his HS career by winning the 3200m, would he go for a low time? Austin posted a 9:17 defending his title.
Daniel Navarro was bested in the 1600m, but don't hold your breath on that happening in the 3200m, as he controlled the race from start to finish winning the Gold medal in 9:23 for Marist.
Various Pics by ACS Hurdles Coach Mike Fowler from Thursday
2)A- Westminster had the upper hand in this race with Graham Huff and Charlie McKnight. A downpour ensued for 10 minutes between 1A Private and 2A races, but the skies cleared within minutes and 2A was back on the Track. Huff ran a smart race taking control with 700m left and and took the win in 9:53
A Private- Reilly Friedman of Galloway used a lot of energy chasing Keough in the 1600 Thursday nite and the ? is will he have enough left in the tank to best Shane Sullivan from Mt Pisgah. And did he ever as Friedman broke off the line and never looked back defending his title clocking a 9:31
1A Public- This race was going to be a rubber match between 1600m Champ Dylan Smith from Gordon lee and Jenkins County harrier Mark Brannen.
I was shooting video of the 1600 meter races and can't wait for you guys to watch it. Keenan Farmer had an amazing race for Walton, taking over the lead after lap 2 and at the gun lap and poured it on pulling away for win in 4:11. I' m adding video for each race in a few minutes which should tell the story much better than I could describe the races in print.
Day 1 of the2014 Georgia Olympics had some outstanding performances achieved by athletes from all classes. It was definitely 'Hot as Georgia Asphalt' in Jefferson earlier today, confounding climatologists statewide as it seemed weatherwise we all were down in Albany without the gnats, lol. Daniel Haugh from St.Pius X thrilled the fans and his fellow throwers alike winning the 3A Discus with his 1st attempt in 194-5. A few of the highlites ga.milesplit shot pics for are included in this brief article..
Kenan Farmer of Walton must have decided that he just wasn't going to settle for anything less than a Gold medal in this race. Many others had faster pr's, but Farmer (and just maybe Coach Gower saw an opportunity) As always, this was the 'Big Boy's race', Brookwood's duo split the 1st lap near 1:04. Farmer bided his time, slowly moving into 4th with 950 meters left., but snaked his way into the lead a few meters before the 800 mark splitting 2:10 and began to press the pace. The top 5 began to settle a bit with 500 meters left, anticipating a mad 400m kick coming up. At the gun lap, it was as if Farmer was shot out of a cannon, throwing that 'Hurst' shifter down to 3rd gear and speeding away for the Gold medal...in 4:11.47beating Josh Ingalls of Brookwood in 4:12.82. Tyler Woodrome of Mill Creek placed 3rd in 4:13 and Will Henderson from Parkview was 4th in 4:14.
This had all the makings of being a showdown betwixt Poteet from Kell and Bowles from Lakeside Evans, but soon became Logan Poteet's masterpiece as he just dominated the race from start to finish clocking a 4:15. Poteet took it out early never looking back posting a 4:15. Corey Jones from Richmond hung tough for 2nd in 4:19, Josh Salter of Northview was a surprising 3rd at 4:21
Surprise, Surprise, Surprise as USMC Gomer Pyle used to exclaim, as Andrew Coggins waited for the perfect moment, executing his race strategy to perfection seizing the 1600m title besting Marist's strong tandem of Navarro and Thurston taking the Gold medal in 4A at 4:19. Navarro led the first 2 laps with positions 2-5 interchanging spots. Bowie of Lagrange surged, but settled into 6th. Coggins began to make a run at Navarro with 200m to go, swinging wide around the final curve and sprinted away for the Gold.
Austin Sprague has dominated the 3A didtance scene the past 3 years, but allowed the 1600m finals to be interesting as he yo-yo'd between 1st and 3rd for 1500 meters before passing teamate Andrew 'Nasty' taking the win in 4:18. Anastasiades took the Silver medal in 4:22. Munns of Blessed Trinity showed some guts taking the lead with 600 meters to go, but McClay's Navy battened down the hatches regrouping making it a Lions' sweep.
Jordan Flowers from WEstminster was the defending champ, but Sam Geha of Benedictine Military gave the outgoing Flowers all he could handle. 4 runners separated after lap 2 including Flowers, Dhillon, Kettle and Geha..Flowers and Geha broke away the last lap with Jordan taking the win defending his title in 4:21, Geha was a close 2nd in 4:22.
It was Jenkins County's Mark Brannen's last chance to win a 1600m title and he took advantage runing a smart race and on the final lap created separation from Dylan Lee to win the title in 4:52. 3 athletes jumped out to early leads (typical for some rural schools) but the contenders closed the gap beginning with the 3rd lap and the real race unfolded from there.
For all intents and purposes, the A Public Sectionals (except for the 1600/3200 races) were a dress rehearsal or 'Prelims' for these schools as athletes had to go all out to get a ticket to Jefferson. . Many of these schools will travel far and have to stay 2 nites in the vicinity of Jefferson if they have athletes in events Thursday and Saturday. Dooly County may have a slight advantage, especially Saturday with their team speed.
Athens Christian is in great position to defend their title and it will take the likes of 'David slaying Goliath' to knock them off. 24 scoring chances in every event but the 100m and in 9 events have (2) scoring ops. Our Lady of Mercy has the best chance to push them come Saturday with super-stud Christian Coleman. First Presbyterian Day from Macon, Eagles Landing Christian and Pace Academy with national talent hurdler Kenny Selmon are all podium contenders.
Once one removes Westminster's (3rd/4th) distance runners out of the picture...Lamar County has to be considered one of the favorites coming out of Sectionals as they are loaded in the sprints, hurdles and relays. Fitzgerald's squad almost mirrors Lamar's and they should have some great races and field event battles as both are contenders for a team title. Westminster will be looking good after Friday, but will need to hang on to their seats finals Saturday. Host Jefferson, GAC and Calhoun are all in the picture.
St. Pius may be the most overwhelming favorite to repeat as team champs at the Georgia Olympics this week. If you take out all their (3rd/4th) distance runners from the virtual meet I ran its still possible the Golden Lions may ring up 100 points. Cedar Grove is strong in the relays, sprints and Washington County has their share of athletes that can score big points. Henry County, Central, North Hall and Elbert County will be battling for a Podium spot.