Westlake Girls, Carrollton Boys Win Class 6A Titles; Shelton Runs 8:50 for 7A 3,200m Win

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

Spread out over three days and at three different venues across the state, the Georgia High School Track and Field Championships made their much-anticipated return -- May 13-15 -- after a year's absence due to the pandemic. The wait was greeted by the return of familiar champions of the past and some of the nation's top times and performances. 

6A-5A at Carrollton High

Despite a great day from Buford’s Sydney Harris, who ran a US#6 time of 53.67 to win the 400, and placed second in the 200 (24.29), it was a dominating effort from the Westlake girls team to win the 6A state title with 94.5 points to end Buford's bid for a fourth consecutive title. Buford, which moved up from 5A, finished runner-up with 52 points. 

Colleen Branch of Westlake claimed the 100 title (11.62), finished third in the 200 (24.45) and was part of the first-place 4x100 relay (46.32) and second-place 4x400 (3:54.96).

Top 20 ranked sprinter Adaejah Hodge of Alexander won the 200 (23.75) and was second in the 100 (11.67) and went 19-7 to win the long jump title.

US#12 pole vaulter, Payton Phillips of Carrlollton broke a 6A record and her own personal best, clearing 13-5.50. Teammate Kayla Pinkard just missed setting the state record in the triple and she flew 41-6 for US#3 and a state title. 

Pope’s Sophie Boice won the 1,600 (5:00.64), 3,200 (10:53.06) and was part of the winning 4x800 (9:28.16).

In 6A boys action, Grant Briscoe made it a state sweep in the pole vault for Carrollton as he cleared 16-2 for a 6A state record, and led his team to its first title since 2012 and 27th overall.  

On the track, Buford’s Isaiah Bond won the 6A 100 (10.51), 200 (21.19) and ran on the winning 4x100 (41.58). 

Woodward Academy’s Savannah Simms guided her team to a 5A title as she claimed the triple jump crown, soaring 39-2.50 and finished fourth in the 100-and 300-meter hurdles. 

Clarke Central’s Lashanti Williams went 18-10.25 to win the 5A girls long jump title and claimed the 100 in 11.8 and place second in the 200 (24.09).

The 3,200 went down to the wire as St. Pius’ Hannah Schemmel crossed the line in a 5A state record time of 10:25.72, while Blessed Trinity’s Hannah Miniutti was second and also under the state record, clocking 10:26.16. Miniutti won the 1,600 on Thursday in 4:53.67.

Madison Gardner of Banneker won the 400 in 54.94. 

Blessed Trinity claimed the program’s first-ever 5A boys title, picking up big points in the distance events.  Benjamin Rothering won the 3,200 (9:24.64), while teammate Adam Wade was second in 9:27.01. Wade claimed runner-up in the 1,600 (4:19.08), while Rothering was third (4:20.18). 

7A/2A/1A Private - McEachern High, Powder Springs

It was an impressive showing on the track for Harrison’s Sully Shelton, broke the all-time state record in the 3,200 meters, clocking 8:50.85, beating out Marietta's Kamari Miller (8:56.86). Shelton surpassed Jacob McLeod's 8:52.70 from 2018. Shelton and Miller are both ranked in the top 20 nationally. Shelton also won the 1,600 in 4:15.9, edging out Miller (4:18.53). In the 800, it was Harrison’s Parker Buchheit winning in a meet record time of 1:53.95. Shelton was second, also under the record (1:54.24).

In the 400, Will Sumner of Woodstock cloaked a meet record 47.26, and a current US#9 time. Jacari Simpson of Mill Creek won the 110 hurdles in a meet record (14.30).

The team battle came down to the wire as Alpharetta, moving up from 6A, edged out Marietta, 62-60 to win the program’s second straight state title. Alpharetta finished the meet winning the 4x400 relay in a record time of 3:14.69.

In 7A girls, Dunwood’s Janae Profit threw a state record in the shot put of 47-11, currently No. 12 in the nation. She also added a title in discus with a toss of 151-2, just missing the state record. 

On the track, Tamiia Fuller of Peachtree Ridge won the 200 in 23.81. Fuller also claimed the 100 (11.76) and was part of the winning 4x400 (3:49.51), leading her team to a runner-up finish. 

Harrison’s Riley Perlakowski won the 800 in a state record time of 2:08.11 and 1,600 in a meet record of 5:01.60. 

Lowndes County’s Kaylan McConnehead won the triple jump in a current U.S. top 20 mark of 39-10.75.

Walton claimed the team championship with 55 points.

In 2A girls, the Oglethorpe County girls claimed the title with 91 points as Ella Stoudenmire won the 800, and was part of the winning 4x800 and 4x400 relays.

Pace Academy’s Edward Blaha won the 3,200 in 9:24.17 and finished second in the 1,600 (4:20.15) leading his team to a 1A team crown. Teammate John Catherman won the 100 (10.78) and 200 (21.85). 

Washington County’s Malyk Walker set a meet record in the 400 (49.76), while Oglethorpe County’s Michale Fleming ran to a meet record 14.39 in the 110 hurdles. 

The Hebron Academy girls put up 112 points to win the 1A Private title, the first in program history. Ellie Brewer led the way with a first-place finish in the 3,200, second in the 1,600, fifth in the 800 and ran on the runner-up 4x800 relay. Teammate Layton Glisson claimed the 100 (12.61) and 200 (25.60) titles. 

The Landmark Christian boys defended their 1A Private title from 2019, scoring 68 points. Zack Truitt won the 1,600 (4:19.01), 800 (1:56.13) and ran on the winning 4x400 (3:20.31).

Joe Sapone of Holy Innocents Episcopal ran to a 1A Private state record in the 3,200, clocking 9:24.16. Sapone was also part of the winning 4x800 relay (8:05.68).

Joshua Smith set a meet record in the triple jump with a 48-9.50.

4A/3A/1A Public - Hugh Mills Stadium, Albany 

The Marist girls easily claimed the 4A title, scoring 116 points. Johna Grisik won the 1,600 (4:59.88) and 800 (2:14.17) for Marist. 

The Stephenson boys claimed the 4A title, as Bradley Favors won the 200 (21.65) and 400 titles (46.74) and ran on the winning 4x400 (3:19.47).

Colin O'Rielly swept the 1,600 (4:14.46) and 3,200 (9:09.82) titles and finished third in the 800 (1:55.36) for Marist.

In 3A action, the Greater Atlanta Christian girls defended their title from 2019, scoring 128 points as Trinity Rossum led the way, winning the 100 (11.77) and 200 (24.17).

Sandy Creek’s Jania Hodges won the 300 hurdles in a U.S. #13 time of 42.45.

Westminster’s Kelsey Chambers went 38-4 to win the triple jump.

Pike County’s Tayla Moreland went 19-9 to win the long jump.

Westminster’s Matthew Fernando won the 1,600 in 4:14.83, ran on the first-place 4x800 (7:55.84) that set a state record, as Westminster won its first state team title since 2013. Teammate Phillips Moore won the discus and shot put titles.

Mary Persons' Justin Wachtel won the 3,200 in a 3A state record of 9:06.49 and claimed the 800 (1:53.57).

Meon McLeod of Liberty County won the 100 (10.51) and 200 (21.65).

Brandon Martin of Commerce led his team to a 1A Public state title as he won the 3,200 in 9:38.50, 1,600 (4:35.6), and was part of the winning 4x800 relay (8:37.76).

Arilyn Lee swept the discus and shot put for Gordon Lee, teammate Kaylee Brown won the high jump (5-6) and pole vault (11 feet) as Gordon Lee won its second consecutive state title. 

Team Champions

Class 7A - Alpharetta 62 points, Walton girls 55 points - RESULTS

Class 6A - Carrollton boys 70.50 points, Westlake girls 94.50 points - RESULTS

Class 5A - Blessed Trinity boys 52 points, Woodward Academy girls 59.50 points - RESULTS

Class 4A - Stephenson boys 74 points, Marist girls 116 points - RESULTS

Class 3A - Westminster boys 70 points, Greater Atlanta Christian girls 128 points - RESULTS

Class 2A - Pace Academy boys 88.50 points, Oglethorpe County girls 91 points - RESULTS

Class 1A Public - Commerce boys 102 points, Gordon Lee girls 102 points - RESULTS

Class 1A Private - Landmark Christian boys 68 points, Hebron Christian Academy girls 112 points - RESULTS