ALBANY — As expected, Athens Christian and Southwest DeKalb are leading the pack in their respective classifications at the girls track and field state championships.
The event was delayed several minutes Friday night by a severe thunderstorm late in the proceedings.
Entering Saturday’s finals, Athens Christian holds a substantial lead over Wesleyan, 41-22, in Class A, and Southwest DeKalb, going for its fourth title in a row, leads in Class AAAA.
Athens Christian has been paced by junior Destiny Jenkins, who won the 1,600 meters, and Savannah Spranger, who finished second in the discus. For Southwest DeKalb, Morgan Snow won the triple jump while Adrienne Johnson finished seventh, and Demetria Dickens and Kenya Wheeler placed sixth and eighth, respectively, in the discus.
In Class AAA, St. Pius holds the lead over favored Monroe, 53-42. For St. Pius, Erin Osment and Devon Dabney placed first and second, respectively, in the 3,200 meters. Shelby Ashe won the shot put and placed second in the discus, behind Monroe’s Alex Childs.
But Monroe is expected to close the gap in Saturday’s running finals. On Friday, Monroe’s Mimi Land swept all three jumping events, the long, high and triple jumps.
In Class AA, favorite Wesleyan is in front of North Oconee, 26-23, entering the finals. Olivia Hunt won the high jump for Wesleyan, while Sahara Fletcher won the 3,200 meters. North Oconee’s Olivia Pigg won the 1,600 meters while Sydney Rodkey was second in the pole vault.
In Class AAAAA, Kennesaw Mountain and Brookwood are tied at 22. Kennesaw Mountain has been led by thrower Dana Levy, who was first in the discus and second in the shot put. Brookwood’s Caroline Kissel and QuanDra Shanks placed second and third, respectively, in the 1,600 meters, while Brittany Brown placed second in the pole vault.
Favorite Westlake sits in eighth place, but looks to make a move today. The Lions’ bright spot Friday was senior Ashley Johnson, who set a state record in the shot put with a throw of 47 feet, 3 1/2 inches.
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