GC has multiple State qualifiers thanks to Sectionals’ efforts
Several Gordon Central athletes competed in Class AA B Sectionals on Saturday and many of them made the most of being on their home track.
The Warriors and Lady Warriors combined for 13 State-qualifying performances combined. Megan Hudson led the way with a firstplace finish in the discus with a throw of 11905, and the senior also qualified in the shot put by taking second with a 35-02.
For the boys, Race Hudson had the top finish as he won his heat of the 300 meter hurdles and finished with the second fastest time in the event overall with a 41.28.
Other Lady Warriors who punched tickets to the State Meet along with Hudson were Claudia Cox who finished second in the pole vault (7-06) and seventh in the 100 meter hurdles (18.42), Kailyn Thomas who was fifth in the shot put (32-00.50) and Cameron Luna who placed eighth in the 400 meter dash (1:03.65).
Along with Hudson’s strong finish, Lee Ullman also finished in the top three in his event with a 12-00 in the pole vault to extend his season. Other State qualifiers were: Luke Beavers in the high jump (T-seventh, J5-10), Bryce Bussert in the 1600 meter ( fifth, 4:51.39), Logan Swaim in the pole vault (sixth, 11-00), and Morgan Swaim in the 400 meter dash (52.34) and 800 meter (2:07.52).
The qualifiers will now have close to two weeks to prepare for the Class AA State Meet which will be held at Hugh Mills Stadium in Albany May 11-13. Class A Public and Class AAA will also be held there.
In other Sectionals action on Saturday:
Calhoun, Sonoraville qualify several for State
Calhoun and Sonoraville each had multiple athletes make the trip to Class AAA B Sectionals at Pace Academy on Saturday, and several left with a bid to State.
The Calhoun boys led the way with eight State- qualifying performances. Their top finish came from Jack Rhea who placed second in the pole vault with a 14-06. Esvin Garcia qualified in the 800 meter (fifth, 2:04.75) and 1600 meter (seventh, 4:42.95), and the 4x400 meter relay team placed fifth with a time of 3:25.29.
Other Calhoun boys qualifiers included: Drew Rutledge in the 400 meter dash (sixth, 50.81), CJ Fuller in the shot put (sixth, 46-11.50), William Long in the discus (13409) and Jevard Williams in the 110 meter hurdles (16.27).
The Sonoraville girls had four State qualifiers thanks to their performances at Pace Academy. Rozlyn Rule and Kelly Rule finished fifth and sixth in the pole vault, respectively, each with successful attempts of 8-00.
Maliyah Parks finished seventh in the triple jump (33-11.50), and Sarah Carroll was eighth in the 200 meter dash (27.15).
The Sonoraville boys had a trio of State qualifiers led by Nathan Ortiz with his third-place finish in the pole vault (1206). Ortiz also was sixth in the 110 meter hurdles (15.85). Tristan Key also qualified by placing sixth in the long jump (21-02).
The Calhoun girls have a pair of qualifiers that will make the trip to State, including Ashlyn Barnes in the high jump (third, 5-02) and Alexis Nalley in the shot put (32-10).
The qualifiers will prepare for the Class AAA State Meet May 11-13 which will be held at Hugh Mills Stadium in Albany along with the Class A Public and Class AA Meets.