Middle School Track: Gordon Lee boys, Heritage girls capture GL Invitational titles

The final dress rehearsal before the start of the NGAC track championships this week was held Thursday night in Chickamauga during the annual Gordon Lee Invitational.

To no one’s surprise, the Gordon Lee boys ran away with the title, amassing 143 points after winning nine of 12 events.

The Heritage boys placed second with 94 points as they held off hard-charging Ringgold (88.5). Chattanooga Valley (56) was fourth, followed by LaFayette (46), Lakeview (21), Rossville (12.5) and Saddle Ridge (11).

Griffin Collins was a triple-winner for the Trojans as he won the high jump (5-2), the 100 (12.09) and the 200 (25.44). Brady Jacobs won the long jump (18-3). Jake Lee won the 1600 (5:12). Kameron Oliver won the 400 (59.19) and Garrison Dendy won the 800 (2:15.17). Gordon Lee’s relay teams in the 4x100 (49.22) and the 4x400 (4:08) also finished first.

Jacobs, Lee and Dendy also set new school records in their wins.

Other boys’ winners included Heritage’s Jonathan Washburn in the shot put (37-8 1/2), Chattanooga Valley’s Jeremiah Turner in the discus (103-5) and Ringgold’s Gabe Elmore in the 100 hurdles (14.31).

On the girls’ side, it was Heritage who earned the first-place trophy with 118.5 points. Chattanooga Valley (90.5) staved off both Gordon Lee (85) and Ringgold (80.5) to earn the runner-up spot, while the rest of the standings were filled out by Saddle Ridge (41), LaFayette (32.5), Lakeview (18) and Rossville (0).

Allison Craft won the 1600 (6:06) for the Lady Generals, while her Heritage teammate Kaylan Davis took first in the 800 (2:39.14). Jenna Morgan won the high jump (4-8) for CVMS.

Addison Sturdivant won two events for Gordon Lee as she raced to victory in the 100 hurdles (17.19) and the 400 (1:04.50). Other winners for the Lady Trojans included Arilyn Lee in the discus (88-0) the 4x400 team (4:38).

Autumn Green won twice for Ringgold, sweeping the 100 (13.44) and the 200 (28.20), while Jersey McCann took first in the long jump (14-1/2). The 4x100 team (55.60) also captured a win.

The other win was turned in by Saddle Ridge’s Madi Ashley in the shot put (26-6).

Gordon Lee also saw a girls’ school-record set in the 800 as Ansley Dendy finished second in a time of 2:39.36.

Heritage will host the NGAC championships on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week.