Total of 14 qualify for sectionals
For a total of 14 Jones County High School track & field athletes, only one step stands between them and qualifying for the May 11 GHSA State Track & Field Championships in Athens.
By way of their showings at last week’s region championship meet, those 14 will compete in the May 2 sectionals, where top finishers advance to the state meet.
In the case of the boys’ portion of the meet, the Greyhounds qualified for sectionals in running events of shorter and longer distances as well as field competitions. The result? A team finish of third that had Jaylan Thomas, head track coach at JCHS, coming away from last week ecstatic for the present and future.
“It lets you know we’re heading in the right direction. We didn’t compete in eight events, and we still got third,” Thomas said. “It’s huge for our program; it’s huge for us. I really don’t know when the last time we finished in the top three was. So that’s huge; we’re going in the right direction. It gives us a boost of confidence.”
Another reason for excitement? Jones County claiming a region title in the 4x800 relay by way of Armani Norris, Gavin Robinson, Ian Borsahole, and Clay Lacy.
Jones County showcased its short-range speed in the 200 and 400 meters, as JR Clark was fourth and Norris was region runner-up. Keith McCrary was also a section qualifier in the discus, taking fourth.
Jones County’s distance runners, however, elevated things to another level at the region meet. Shaun Williams, Clay Lacy, and Ian Borsahole swept the top three positions in the 800 meters. Williams claimed second in the 1600 meters, and he was followed in third and fourth by Luke Thornton and Tyler Marshall. JCHS got another 2-3-4 finish in the 3200 meters thanks to Thornton, Gavin Robinson, and Marshall.
Jones County’s distance runners — already used to running in big moments during cross country season — have helped elevate the effort of those around them, Thomas says.
“When you see runners with a lot of success, when you surround yourself with successful people and coaches, it naturally gravitates. Success is contagious.”
Distance events were very good to the Lady Greyhounds at the region meet, as well. Not only did Tanner Watts finish fourth in the 3200 meters, qualifying for sectionals, but the 4x800 relay team of Mary Barnwell, Jordan Norman-Brown, Watts, and McKenzie Snook also finished fourth. In the discus, Kalayah Lawson was region runner-up.
