GEORGIA TRACK AND FIELD STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Where: Memorial Stadium, Jefferson
When: Thursday through Saturday
Cost: $7 each day
Schedule
Thursday (Competition begins at noon): All field events (all classifications); 1,600-meter run final (all classifications)
Friday (Competition begins at noon): Qualifying heats for all running events (AA - AAAAAA); 3,200-meter run final (all classifications)
Saturday (Opening ceremony at 11 a.m.): Finals for all running events (all classifications)
For complete coverage of this event this weekend, see the high school page on ajc.com.
The state’s top athletes will converge on Jefferson on Thursday to compete in the GHSA boys state track and field championships. There will be seven individual and team champions instead of five, as in years past — a by-product of adding Class AAAAAA and splitting Class A into public and private divisions.
Here’s a quick primer for Georgia Olympics XLII:
Class AAAAAA
The skinny: Brookwood will have a tough time repeating and winning its third team title in three years. This year's team competition appears to be a toss-up. Head-to-head battles in the 110-meter hurdles (Lowndes' Devante Watts and Brookwood's Jay Lawson), 1,600 meters (Mill Creek's Tyler Woodrome and Walton's Brian Sullivan) and 400-meter relay (Mill Creek and Grayson) will be worth the price of admission.
Teams in the hunt: North Gwinnett, Mill Creek, McEachern, Hillgrove, Marietta, Kennesaw Mountain, Brookwood.
Other athletes to watch: Richard Delphin, Roswell (discus); Jeremy McDuffie, Shiloh (long jump and triple jump); Demetrius Duggans, Hillgrove (100 and 200 meters); Cory Nichols, McEachern (800 meters).
Class AAAAA
The skinny: The state's second-largest classification is wide open. The 400-meter relay final should be a classic with M.L. King, Cedar Shoals and Creekside. The pole-vault battle — Tray Oates of Allatoona vs. Jeff Jernigan of Lakeside-DeKalb — could produce a state record.
Teams in the hunt: Cedar Shoals, Grovetown, Mays, Northside-Columbus.
Other athletes to watch: Evan Berry, Creekside (100 and 200 meters); Darius Watkins, Grovetown (100 and 200 meters); Derrick White, Lithia Springs (200 and 400 meters); Brad Hort, McIntosh (1,600 meters); Qua Stocks, Woodland-Cartersville (high jump).
Class AAAA
The skinny: Carrollton, one of the state's dominant programs, is going for its fourth consecutive state championship after winning AAA the past three years. Vanderbilt football signee Taurean Ferguson of Jonesboro will try to win the 110 meter- and 300-meter hurdles titles.
Others in the hunt: Sandy Creek, Marist, Carver-Atlanta.
Other athletes to watch: Ryan Clark, Banneker (200 and 400 meters); Roc-M Nesbit, Carver-Atlanta (discus); Kenneth Brinson, Marist (discus); Malik Broughton, Veterans (high jump).
Class AAA
The skinny: With Carrollton moving up a classification, St. Pius appears to be the favorite, led by Daniel Haugh in the discus and shot put. But Elbert County, the 2011 AA champs, will be in the mix with sprinters Tyshon Dye, who signed to play football at Clemson, and Marquice Dye leading the charge. The long-jump battle involving K'Lan Harris of Henry County, Tre Owens of Chapel Hill and Tyler Gibson of Peach County should be fun to watch.
Others in the hunt: Chapel Hill, Appling County, North Oconee, Cedar Grove.
Other athletes to watch: Kevin Johnson, Appling County (110 meter- and 300-meter hurdles); Darius Freeman, Cedar Grove (200 meters); Witt Nix, North Hall (3,200 meters); Quintavious Poole, Washington County (400 meters).
Class AA
The skinny: The state's second smallest class has not had a repeat champion since Charlton County in 2005-06. Last season's champion Putnam County will be hard-pressed to buck the trend. Lamar County, led by its 400-meter relay team that includes football standouts Lance and Lawrence Austin, will vie for the title with Calhoun.
Others in the hunt: Westminster, Fitzgerald, Jefferson, Brooks County, Greater Atlanta Christian.
Other athletes to watch: Christian Drake, Pelham (100 meters); Tyrys Darrisaw, Brooks County (110 meter- and 300-meter hurdles); Sebastian Willer, Calhoun (discus).
Class A-Private
The skinny: Athens Christian is the clear favorite to win its third consecutive team title and its fourth since 2007. The Eagles are paced by twins Josiah and Justin Brooks, along with jumper Demetrius McWhorter and thrower Jordan Pickerel. Our Lady of Mercy will be in the mix, led by junior football standout Christian Coleman, who is a threat to win the long jump and the 100 and 200 meters.
Others in the hunt: Landmark Christian, Eagles Landing Christian Academy, Darlington, Pace Academy.
Other athletes to watch: Kenny Selmon, Pace Academy (110- and 300-meter hurdles); Reilly Friedman, Galloway (3,200 meters); Jalen Myrick, Savannah Christian (100 meters).
Class A-Public
The skinny: With Athens Christian out of the way , the field is wide open for the first public-school team champion. Terrell County looks to be the favorite, led by Jerkerious Scott in the 100 and 200 meters.
Others in the hunt: Twiggs County, Central-Talbotton, Claxton, Jenkins County.
Other athletes to watch: Perfect Robinson, Twiggs County (100 and 200 meters); Raytez Jenkins, Central-Talbotton (400 meters).
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