SOUTH CAROLINA STATE MEET

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

Make it a three-peat. The Spring Valley boys collected a third-consecutive 5A state title –  a first in program history — at the South Carolina State Track and Field Championships held May 16-18 at Spring Valley High School in Columbia. 

The Vikings were led by South Carolina commit Devan Crumpton’s victory in the 400 of 46.70 seconds, a US#19 time. He finished third in the 200. Teammate Amir Joe won the 110 hurdles (14.9) and the Vikings won the 4x400 and 4x800 relays. 

In the field, West Ashley’s Caleb Hogan, US#12 in the triple jump, won the event in 49-3.75 and was second in the long jump. 

The Blythewood girls also defended their 5A crown tallying 71 points. Peyton Hightower in the 400 (55.15) and Aminah Rhone in the 100 hurdles (14.57) led the way for the team. 

In the field, US#11 triple jumper Alana Braxton of Ashley Ridge won the triple jump (40-10.25) and was second in the long jump. 

In 4A, the Ridge View boys and girls swept the state titles – a first in school history. 

The boys team scored 84 points, edging out Northwestern (79 points). Jordon Gidron led the way with wins in the 100 (10.70) and 200 (21.73) and ran on the winning 4x100 (41.91). 

On the track Mike Balkman of Westwood captured the 400 (48.35) and ran on the winning 4x400 that set a new state record of 3:16.32.

A year after sharing the 4A state title, the Ridge View girls made sure it belonged in one trophy case this spring. The team scored 75 points to win the trophy — 13 more points than runner-up West Florence. 

At Lower Richland High School in Hopkins, the Philip Simmons boys scored 84 to win the 3A title. 

The Seneca girls scored 91 to win the 3A title again as standout sprinter Micayla Collins won the 100 (12.00 seconds), 200 (24.99) and 400 (57.55) titles. 

History was made in 2A as the Fairfield boys and Gray Collegiate each won their first state championships in program history.

The Fairfield Central boys were led by sprinter Jayden Boyd’s victories in the 100 (10.51), 200 (21.34) and the long jump (22-9.75). 

In girls 2A, Gray Collegiate scored 75 points to beat out Bishop England (72 points).

Individually, Fairfield Central’s Sharmelle Holmes, who is committed to Kentucky, set state records in the 100 (11.45) and 200 (23.57). Her 100 time is tied for U.S. #20. She also won the long jump (19-2.75) and ran on the winning 4x100 (48.17).

In the distances, Oceanside Collegiate Academy’s Siobhan Joyce won the 800, 1,600 and 3,200. 

In 1A action, the Southside Christian boys and Whale Branch Early College girls dominated the field both scoring over 100 points to defend the state titles.  

Southside’s Grayson Gibbons led the way for his team with victories in the. 800, 1,600 and 3,200. Southside also swept the throwing events picking up first place in the shot put, discus and javelin. 

Team Champions

Class 5A: Spring Valley boys 99 points; Blythewood girls 86 points - RESULTS

Class 4A: Ridge View boys 84 points; Ridge View girls 75 points - RESULTS

Class 3A: Philip Simmons boys 84 points; Seneca girls 92.5 points - RESULTS

Class 2A: Fairfield Central boys 83 points; Gray Collegiate girls 75 points - RESULTS

Class 1A: Southside Christian boys 162 points; Whale Branch Early College girls 124 points - RESULTS