GEORGIA STATE MEET RECAP

Speedy Sophomores Maurice Gleaton (10.14/20.81), Sidi Njie (45.46) Put Country On Notice At State Meet, Which Produces Four National Leaders

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

Standout Maurice Gleaton showed why he’s one of the very best prep sprinters in the country this past weekend at the Georgia State Track and Field Championships.

The speedy sophomore from Langton Hughes broke the all-time Georgia state 100 meters record in the prelims when he ran 10.14 at Barron Stadium in Rome, good for US #3. It surpassed Ryan Clark's 10.18 clocking from 2015.

Gleaton went on to place second in the finals, behind senior Eric Singleton of Alexander (10.35 to 10.37) and then picked up a first-place finish in the 200 (20.81) and was part of the winning 4x100 relay (40.55). His efforts helped guide Langston Hughes to the program’s first state title with 59 points. 

Meanwhile, in the 7A classification, sophomore Sidi Nije of Westlake won the 400 meters in 45.46 in the 400 to break Antonio McKay's 1982 all-time Georgia best time of 45.84. Njie's time is also a US#1 and he also ran on the winning  4x100 (40.31) and 4x200 (1:25.40). 

In the field, Brunswick senior Riyon Rankin cleared 7-3.75, a U.S. #1 mark and third all-time in state history to repeat as the 6A high jump champion.  

New Manchester’s Nicolas Crosswhite, a junior, soared an impressive 49-2 in the triple jump and 23-5 in the long jump to win Class golds. 

In the distance events, Marist sophomore Tommy Lathan won the 6A 3,200 (9:12.92) and 1,600 (4:16.55).

In 6A girls, Alexander’s Alisa Gordon jumped a US#1 in the triple jump (41-9.50) and she climbed to No. 4 all-time in Georgia state history. Gordon also won the long jump (18-10.25). Teammate and senior Victoria Teasley claimed the 100 (11.73) and 200 (24.04), guiding Alexander to a second-place finish with 70 points. Woodward Academy ran away with the 6A crown with 89.50 points. 

7A Powder Springs

At McEachern High, the Westlake boys and girls swept the team title for the first time since 2017. The Westlake boys were powered by Njie's exploits. 

Chris Nelson of South Forsyth beat Njie in an elite 200 final, 20.69 to 20.82. 

Buford ran a US#2 time of 3:11.24 to win the boys 4x400 relay. 

In 7A girls, Marietta freshman Mary Nesmith won the 3,200 (10:51.62), 1,600 (5:02.28), and 800 (2:11.75). 

Buford senior Sydney Harris won the 400 in a US#5 time of 52.83. Harris was also fourth in the 200. 

5A Columbus

It was a dominating performance at Kinnett Stadium as the Dutchtown boys tallied 99 points to run away with the 5A title. Tucker was runner-up with 51 points. 

On the track, Clare Central’s Sayique Bascus won the 100 (10.56) and 200 (21.19). 

The Greater Atlanta Christian girls scored 61 points to win the 5A state title. Senior Nia Wilson led the way winning the 100 (11.51) and was second in the 200 (23.99). Teammate and freshman Ava Kitchings won the long jump by nearly two feet, collecting a PR of 19-7.75. 

4A Albany

In the team race defending champion Southwest DeKalb scored 81 points to hold off Starr’s Mill (77.5 points) to win its 12th all-time state crown. Isaiah Taylor led SW DeKalb with a sensational hurdles double, winning 110-meter hurdles in 13.80 and the 300 hurdles in US#1 35.94. Taylor was also part of an amazing effort in the 4x400 relay, where the team ran a US#1 and all-time Georgia best 3:10.55, taking down a 1987 record.

In perhaps the best distance race in the state this year, the 4A boys 1,600 at Hugh Mills Stadium. Holy Innocent’s Joe Sapone edged out fellow senior Alex Arrambide of East Forsyth, finishing first in 4:04.27, a US#5 time. Arrambide was right behind in 4:06.16, US#9. The two squared off again in the 3,200 as Arrambide took the victory in 9:16.24, a PR, while Capone was second in 9:19.10. 

The Westminster girls easily defended their 4A team title, tallying 124 points.

In the distance events Pace Academy junior Caroline Hood won the 3,200 (10:51.96) and 1,600 (4:53.65).

3A Albany

The Sandy Creek program swept the 3A titles, as the girls claimed their first with 104 points. 

In the girls triple jump, Sandy Creek’s Ryan Lewis won with a mark of 40 feet.

In the mid-distance events, Oconee County’s Cooper Timberman won the 800 (1:54.78) and 1,600 (4:19.96). 

Marianna Wright of Monroe Comprehensive won the 300-meter hurdles in US#3 40.81 in the prelim for one of the top performances of the weekend as she took down one of Kendell William's all-time state bests. She went on to win the event and was also fourth in the 200. She also helped the winning 4x200 and 4x400 relay teams. 

2A Powder Springs

At McEachern High, Landmark claimed the program’s first track title as they held off Athens Academy winning the 4x400 relay and tallying 86.5 points. Athens Academy was second (83 points). 

The 2A boys title was almost a mirror image of the girls, but Athens Academy took the team title, the first for the program with 89.50 points. Landmark Christian was runner-up (86.5 points).

In the distance events, Model’s Simon Schabort won the 1,600 (4:13.66), 3,200 (9:39.38) and was second in the 800 (1:55.28). 

In the field, DJ Chester of Eagle's Landing Christian won the discus with a state-leading mark of 174-10 and claimed the shot pout with a throw of 58-8. 

1A

In 1A Division 1, The Mt. Pisgah Christian boys won the program’s first state title with 70 points, while Athens Christian girls scored 62 points to claim the state title. Michael Fleming of Oglethorpe County won the 110-meter hurdles in 14.14 seconds.

1A Division 2, Montgomery County boys and girls were able to pull off the team title sweep of class 1A Division 2 after scoring 71 points on the girls side and 58 points on the boys side. 

TEAM CHAMPIONS

7A: Westlake boys 60 points; Westlake girls 73.33 points - RESULTS

6A: Langston Hughes boys 59 points; Woodward girls 89.50 points - RESULTS

5A: Dutchtown boys 99 points; Great Atlanta Christian girls 61 points - RESULTS

4A: Southwest DeKalb boys 81 points; Westminster 124 girls 96 points - RESULTS

3A: Sandy Creek boys 86 points; Sandy Creek girls 104 points - RESULTS

2A: Athens Academy boys 89.5 points; Landmark Christian girls 86.50 points - RESULTS

1A D1: Mount Pisgah Christian boys 70 points; Athens Christian girls 62 points - RESULTS

1A D2: Montgomery County boys 58 points; Montgomery County girls 71 points - RESULTS