Talented freshmen emerge again
A number of freshmen made huge impacts on their teams last season. The list includes sprinters Candace Hill of Rockdale County and T’aja Cameron of Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy, pole vaulter Carson Dingler of First Presbyterian Day, and distance specialist Helen Williams of Atlanta International School, all of whom won state titles. Also, there was Rashaad Pollard of Westlake, who took third in the 100 meters in Class AAAAAA, Andrew Singh of Walton, who was fifth in the 3,200 meters, and Jeremiah Holloman of Newton who was fifth in the triple jump.
Here is a look at some ninth graders who have made an impact in their rookie campaigns:
Rainey Anderson, Westlake. The hurdler is currently ranked No. 11 in the 300-meter hurdles (38.83) and No. 12 in the 110-meter hurdles (14.52).
Anna Marian Block, Athens Academy. Perhaps the most versatile distance runner in the state, she is ranked No. 2 in the 800 meters (2:11.90), No. 4 in the 1,600 meters (4:57.70), and No. 11 in the 3,200 meters (11:04.00).
Daloria Boone, Baldwin. Boone is currently the No. 1 long jumper in Georgia with a mark of 20-feet, 4-inches. She is the only athlete to eclipse the 20-foot mark.
Elija Godwin, Alcovy. Godwin is No. 7 in the 200 meters (21.61) and No. 12 in the triple jump with a leap of 46-2.
Hunter Robinson, Harrison. Robinson is already one of the state's most versatile sprinters. She has the top time in the 400 meters (54.30) and is No. 12 in the 100 meters (11.99) and No. 14 in the 200 (24.65).
Kennedy Simon, Westlake. She is ranked No. 3 in the 400 (54.40) and No. 4 in the 300-meter hurdles (43.88). The battle for the state's top 400 meter sprinter between Simon, Robinson and McEachern junior Mackenzie Dunmore at next month's state championship meet is expected to be a classic.
Terrell Smith, South Gwinnett. Smith is currently No. 7 in the 100 (10.64).
Shoates signs with ETSU
Westlake senior Nyambi Shoates, a key member of the Lions’ two-time state championship teams, has announced that she will sign with East Tennessee State, a member of the Southern Conference. Shoates is currently ranked No. 9 in the 200 meters in Class AAAAAA and is a member of the Lions’ 400-meter relay team, which has the No. 2 time in the state. She was also recruited by UNC Wilmington, Western Illinois, Tennessee Tech and defending Southern Conference champion Western Carolina.
