The 2011 Georgia High School Track & Field championships featured many compelling storylines, ranging from football freak Ray Drew of Thomas County Central winning the discus despite a foot injury to Peachtree Ridge’s sophomore sensation Josh Brickell dominating the 3200 meters to a show of brotherly love in Class A. For Brickell, the title was his second of the three-day championships after he claimed the 5A 1600 meter event as well. Drew meanwhile was trying to set a state record in the discus, an event he hopes to compete in at the University of Georgia. Drew’s fling of 183’ 7.000 was the best toss of any classification.
The biggest drama was saved however for Saturday’s finale. Future UGA wide receiver Justin Scott-Wesley helped Mitchell County claim the 400-meter relay and Scott-Wesley wasn’t done there as the senior won the 100 meter dash with a time of 10.76, and finish second in the 200 meter dash. Mitchell County was able to rally from tenth to finish second. Athens Christian held on to win the Class A crown with 50 team points, a five point win.
In Class AA, Saturday saw Jackson (Atlanta) make an early run at North Oconee with a third in the 400-meter relay and a second place finish in the 400 meter dash. CJ Moore of Buford raced to a win in the 100 meter dash but North Oconee’s Ian Wraga finished second in the 800 meters. Elbert County meanwhile battled to take the lead midway through Saturday’s action with a second place in the 100 meters and a win by Valdon Cooper in the 110 hurdles. Elbert County would post a fifth place finish in the 1600 relay and a fourth in the 300 hurdles. Elbert County beat out North Oconee 57-51.
Carrollton of 3A put a little distance between itself and the rest of the pack early on Saturday with Broderick Snoddy, a future Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket football player anchoring the 400-meter relay squad to a second place finish. Snoddy would finish second in the 100 meters behind Westover’s Reginald Lewis. Tamaric Johnson of Stone Mountain claimed both the 200 meters and 400 meters. Carrollton’s Jonathan Jones helped Carrollton keep the lead with a win in the 110 hurdles before also taking the 300 hurdles. Carrollton’s fourth place finish in the 1600 relay would ice the 3A crown.
Pope was holding on for dear life to its Friday night lead Saturday in 4A as Dunwoody charged at the Greyhounds with a seventh place in the 100 meter dash and a second place in the 800 meters. Clarke Central recorded a second place finish in the 400 meter relay and a second place in the 100 meter dash with Quenshaun Watson starring in both events. Watson finished third in the 200 meters. Jeremy Hughes was also outstanding for Clarke Central. Dequadis Tucker won both the 100 and 200 meters for Carver (Atlanta), earning his team’s only points. Clarke Central (36) would hold off Alcovy (33) and Kell (32) to take the 4A title.
In the highest classification, Peachtree Ridge held a slim lead after day one and was on top following Friday’s action. Saturday saw Lassiter and Mill Creek edge closer early on as Trojan Alexander Reese won the 400-meter dash and 200 meters and Mill Creek picked up a few points with a nice finish in the 400 relay. Akeem Hunt of Newton helped the Rams edge McEachern in the 400 relay. Torri Tillman proved to be the “fastest man in the state” at the highest classification with a win in the 100 meter dash before finishing second in the 200 meters. Brookwood used a win in the 110 hurdles and second and third place finishes in the 800 meters to make its presence felt. South Gwinnett won the 1600 relay, but Peachtree Ridge (62) would outscore Mill Creek (46), Parkview (42), Brookwood (41) and Lassiter (36) for the 5A title.
Earlier on in the week, Peachtree Ridge held the early lead in Class 5A after Matt Morris won the pole vault while Brickell won the 1600 meters and Torri Tillman outjumped Newton football standout Akeem Hunt and Norcross’ Malcolm Davis. Mill Creek was nipping at Peachtree Ridge’s heels after Thursday with Parkview, Lassiter and Norcross in third place. Cobb County had its own standouts after the first day of “Field” activities with Kell’s Jordan Chambers clinching the Class 4A shot put and Hillgrove’s Jabari Hunt-Days winning the 5A shot put. Allatoona’s Scott Lewis won the 3A shot put as Cobb tallied five state titles on Day One. Lassiter’s Cedric Stadom won the 5A discus and Whitefield Academy’s Cameron Thornton won the Class A 1600-meter run. Pope was in the Class 4A lead after the first day.
In a classy gesture, Josiah Jenkins let older brother Josh Jenkins win the Class A 3200 meter event as it was the elder’s final chance at the title. In any case, the one-two finish helped Athens Christian hold the Class A lead after Friday over Darlington, Whitefield Academy and Athens Academy. Wesleyan’s Wes Ayres did manage to set a new record in the pole vault with a height of 14; 7.00”. Jeremy Blue of Schley County also set a record in the discus with a throw of 167’9.000” for Class A.
In Class AA boys, North Oconee led Albany and Elbert County after the second day thanks in large part to Tripp Hurt’s win in the 3200 meter event. Hurt had previously won the 1600-meter run, beating out teammate Ian Wraga for the victory. Albany shared the lead after Thursday. Carrollton had a slight lead over Westover in the boys 3A title picture after the second day of competition. North Hall’s Cody Barger won the 3200 meters just a day after winning the 1600 meters. Barger’s time of 9:07.120 was the best time in the state. James Dwyer of Class 4A Dunwoody recorded the best 1600 meter time at 4:15.380.
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