Jenkins Boys Track & Field are Class A State runners-up

Members of the Eagles' track and field team are, from left, first row: Boyd Sasser, Vincent Bynes, Jamar Holmes, Martivious Morris and Quentin Williams; and second row: Patrick Moody, Coley Clifton, Ralph Smith, Dexter Golphin, James Bramblett, Charles Reynolds, Anthony Coggins and coach Charley Waters. (Photo contributed)

All the Class A schools gathered in Jefferson May 10-12 to compete for the state championship. Jenkins County took a stable full of burners to the track and scored big in the sprints and relays.

Patrick Moody won the state championship in the 100 meter dash (11.12) and finished second in the 200 meter dash (22.81). Jamar Holmes won the state championship in the 400 meter dash (49.33) and finished sixth in the triple jump (41'9"). Anthony Coggins finished eighth in the 110 high hurdles. Martivious Morris finished third in the 400 meter dash (49.55) and third in the 300 meter intermediate hurdles. Brandon Wade finished sixth in the 800 meter run(2:07) and eighth in the 1600 meter run (4:54).

Vincent Bynes finished seventh in the 800 meter run (2:08). James Bramblett finished ninth in the 1600 meter run and seventh in the 3200 meter run. Boyd Sasser, Jamar Holmes, Dexter Golphin and Patrick Moody flew around the track in the 4 x 100 meter relay to win the state championship with a time of 43.18.

The last race of the day was the 4 x 400 meter relay, and the combination of Boyd Sasser, Martivious Morris, Dexter Golphin and Jamar Holmes was too much for the other schools to handle also. They won the state championship with a time of 3:28. The other 4 x 400 team consisting of Ralph Sims, Patrick Moody, Coley Clifton and Vincent Bynes ran a good time in qualifying but missed out on the final field of eight by one second. "The guys knew going in that they were one of the top five schools going to Jefferson. Athens Christian, Our Lady of Mercy, Bremen, Dooly County and Athens Academy were all solid favorites. Also, with Athens Christian being the favorite. The Eagles did not disappoint and did their very best to score as many points as possible," said Coach Charley Waters.

"They scored an impressive 61 points on the final day to finish with 62 overall, but Athens Christian scored 78 points with a lot of depth and quality in the field and on the track. The guys and I are disappointed we didn't bring home the state title but were not disappointed in how we performed and our effort towards trying to win. We accomplished our goal of waking up on Saturday morning with a good chance to win and in the finals you do all you can and the chips will fall. I'm very proud of this team and the folks of Jenkins County can be very proud of them also. They represented your school with class and a lot of great performances in a field of the states best," Waters said.