In 2013, there was not one defending team champion to take the podium at
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| Photo by Sonny Kennedy |
the Georgia girls track and field state meet. In fact, Westlake's four-year gap between its last state title in 2009 was the shortest time period between any of the seven schools' last state championships. There is depth of state contenders in this year's field and impressive newcomers that could once again fashion a historic weekend in Albany.
In Class AAAAAA, North Cobb senior Shanel Burr placed first in Sectional A with a 14.14 in the 100-meter hurdles. A total of five runners out of the Sectional A 100-meter hurdles bested Sectional B's fastest time, which was a 14.89 by Kendra Purifoye of Peachtree Ridge.
In the 100-meter dash, keep an eye out for the young guns. Rockdale County's Candace Hill paced the field with a 11.51 and freshmen Caitlan Tate (Brookwood) and Shania Evans (McEachern) each finished with top-five times. Hill is a multi-event competitor who also posted the fastest time in her class with a 23.34 in the 200-meter dash.
In Class AAAAA, Miller Grove senior Tiffany Flynn is one of the top individuals to watch. Flynn scorched the field with a 13.98 in the 100-meter hurdles and won the sectional by a comfortable 1.15 seconds. Flynn's impressive performance in the 100-meter was followed up by an incredible leap in the long jump finals. The Mississippi State signee stuck a 19-05.75. Flynn won the triple jump at sectionals with a 41-03.50 over the next best jump of 39-10.25 by Forest Park's Bria Matthews.
Defending Class AAAA-champion Marist will use its prowess in the distance races to bid for its second-ever girls state title. The War Eagles posted a one-two finish in the 1,600-meter run at Sectionals. Junior Morgan Ilse paced the field with a 5:02.41 and was followed by freshman teammate Kendall Nelson's second-place time of 5:20.51. This duo took first and second in the 3,200-meter run as well with Morgan clocking an 11:48.13 and Nelson crossing the finish line in 11:57.61.
Jackson freshman Courtney Jackson edged the field in the 100-meter hurdles at the Class AAA sectionals with a 14.73. Jones also took a fifth-place finish in the high jump and a fifth-place finish in the 300-meter hurdles, and will have a busy weekend in her state meet debut. Defending Class AAA-champion Cedar Grove houses one of the best discus throwers in the state. Senior Daimer Gordon threw a 124.800 at sectionals, beating second-place North Hall's Harper Seymour (118.0800) by nearly seven feet.
TO BE CONTINUED TOMORROW...
