It was a full slate of postseason competition across the area last week, with region meets giving local track and field athletes a chance to stack up against top competition—and several delivered strong performances.
At the Class 2A level, East Clarendon High School turned in a balanced showing, highlighted by a dominant effort from the Lady Wolverines in the distance events.
Shae Lee set the tone in the 800-meter run, winning in 2:29.63, while teammates Courtney McFadden and Kira Owens followed to sweep the top three spots. Lee and Owens carried that momentum into the 1,600 meters, finishing first and second, and Owens added another title in the 3,200 meters with a time of 13:58.49.
East Clarendon’s distance strength also showed up in the relays, where the Lady Wolverines captured the 4x800 title in 11:14.36. The 4x400 team added a runner-up finish, and the 4x100 group placed sixth. McFadden also picked up a fourth-place finish in the 400-meter dash, while Destiny Franklin placed in both the 200 and 400.
In the field events, Cayli Harcrow posted a pair of runner-up finishes, taking second in both the long jump and javelin. Tymani Cooper added a third-place finish in the javelin, while Kierston Woods placed in both the shot put and discus.
On the boys’ side, East Clarendon found the top of the podium in the javelin, where Keshaun Porter claimed the region title with a throw of 35.75 meters. Walker Kirby followed closely behind as the runner-up, giving the Wolverines a strong one-two finish.
Jett Robinson led the distance runners with a second-place finish in the 3,200 meters and also placed in the 1,600, while Misael Molina added a fourth-place finish in the 3,200. The Wolverines also posted solid relay results, finishing third in both the 4x100 and 4x800 and fourth in the 4x400.
In Class 1A, Scott’s Branch High School saw strong performances on both the track and in the field.
For the Lady Eagles, Jernee Ford led the way with a sweep of the throwing events, winning both the discus and shot put. Azari Taylor added a top-five finish in the long jump, while the 4x100 relay team placed fifth. Taraji Logan and RaKy York each posted top-five finishes in their respective events.
The Eagles’ boys made their mark with a strong showing in the sprints and relays. Montrell Session and Nazaiah Richardson went one-two in the 400-meter dash, while Quintin Jackson placed second in both the 100 and 200 meters. Session and Richardson also finished among the top four in the 100, and Jamarey Conyers added a fourth-place finish in the 200.
Fra’Jon Bennett delivered a win in the 800 meters, and the distance group added additional points with top finishes in the 1,600 and 3,200.
Scott’s Branch was especially strong in the relays, winning both the 4x100 and 4x400, while adding a third-place finish in the 4x800.
In the field events, Session picked up a win in the long jump, while Bennett added a third-place finish in the triple jump, rounding out a productive day for the Eagles.
With region meets complete, athletes now turn their focus to qualifying rounds and the push toward the state championships, where several local competitors appear poised to make noise.
