JOE CULPEPPER RELAYS
REDWATER, Texas—DeKalb's girls edged out Pleasant Grove 125-112, and Hooks' boys earned the big gold trophy with 177 points at the Joe Culpepper Relay at Dragon Stadium Thursday.
The Lady Hawks' Monique Walker was the top female athlete with 35 points, followed by Daingerfield's Denver Mims' 28-point total.
Seth Mahar of Hooks was the top varsity boys' athlete with 32 points. Teammate Montrell Estell was second with 24.
Pleasant Grove's varsity boys were second with 113.5 points.
Hornet head coach Drew Norwood said his team is responding and progressing.
“The kids are getting better every week,” Norwood said. “They keep pushing themselves. They are trying to improve and compete against the other schools. They are making strides each week.
“Montrell Estell, Jordan Baugh, Ishmael Threadgill and Seth Mahar are doing a great job of leading.”
DeKalb girls head coach Jessica Burgin was a little surprised to have won the relays.
“Our girls have been working hard,” Burgin said. “It feels good, and it was a total group effort. It's a little unexpected, and I am really proud of them.”
Hope Murphy, Janique Thomas, Mikayla Baxley and Tiara Moreland claimed the 4x400 relay for the Lady Bears.
Raven Wrenn took gold in the 100 meter hurdles, while teammate Hailey Dalby earned 10 points for DeKalb as the girls' top pole vaulter.
PG girls won the 4x200 relay and the 4x100 relay. Walker took the gold medal in the high jump and long jump.
Hooks' boys earned the blue ribbon in six events including the 4x200 relay.
Ishmael Threadgill won the shot put for the Hornets, and Montrell Estell took first in the long jump.
Jordan Baugh was the top finisher in the 110 hurdles, while Mahar earned gold in the 300 hurdles for Hooks.
Aaron Harmon finished first with a 4:59.41 in the 1600 meters, and teammate Xavier Benson won the high jump for PG. Tevrin Jackson got gold in the 800 meter race.
The Hawks crossed the line first in the 4x100 relay.
Pleasant Grove won the junior varsity boys division with 224 points, which was 105 points more than second place finisher Daingerfield who had 119. Hooks was third with 112.
Individual first place finishers for the Hawks' jayvee included Sam Hacker, Jayven Daniels, Linton Colvin, Antonio Watkins and Sergio Rodriguez.
Rodriguez tied Hooks' Marquiz Estell for top junior varsity athlete with 28 points each.
The Hawks swept the jayvee relays with wins in the 4x100, 4x200 and 4x400.