TRACK & FIELD HOUNDS
COLUMBUS - Before last week’s GHSA Class AAAAA state track meet began in Columbus, common knowledge was that Jones County’s Zion Ragins would once again be among the fastest runners to hit the track.
That expectation was backed up in both the heat and qualifying events with the speedy Ragins running some of the fastest times. Clarke Central’s Shavique Baskus, however, was a tick faster. With Ragins running a time of 10.63 in Saturday’s final, Bascus, who also posted the fast time in Friday’s heat, ran a 10.56, stopping Ragins’ bid to win three 100-yard state championships in a row.
“I was that close, but I gave it the best I could. I made it here and showed what I had,” Ragins said. “I was coming to win, but things happen for a reason.”
Ragins, who won the 200 meters as a freshman and was unable to finish last year’s event due to injury, would come up oh so close to Baskus in the 200 as well on Saturday, his 21.67 giving his second place behind the 21.21 of Baskus.
“Zion is special. Not only is he special in just his athletic ability with the way he runs, but he’s special because of the work that he puts in and the training that he does. But he’s also special because of the person that he is,” said Clay Hodges, who coached the Greyhounds track team this season. “He’s a joy to be around and coach. There were (only a few) words of advice to coaching Zion, and it was ‘don’t mess him up.’ He’s very easy to coach.” Other than Ragins, the Greyhounds other top performer in Columbus was Austin Hanks in the discus. His throw of 150-10 carried home a finish of sixth. That showing, combined with Jaivon Solomon jumping 42-01.50 in the triple jump, helped Jones County to a finish of 11th overall. Dutchtown, who hails from the same region as Jones County, won the boys state title.
For the Lady Hounds, the 4x800 relay team finished 10th with a time of 10:22.78. Runners on the team were Lilly Palmer, Addison Robinson, Camryn Wommack and Landry Fletcher.
