On the track
Eagles win sixth consecutive championship

The Jenkins County High School (JCHS) War Eagles traveled to Southeast Bulloch April 16 and April 18 to take on the best of Region 3-A track and field. Jenkins County had an outstanding showing in the field events scoring about 50 points in five different events.

Coach Charley Waters stated, "The guys did well considering this was the first region meet for some of them. We had two guys qualify for state and a few more scoring big points in this region meet. In the track events we also had a strong showing when you consider we were one strong man down losing Junior sensation, Dexter Golphin, to a muscle pull in the 200 and 400 meter dash. We lost out on some big points in the finals in those events."

JCHS had strong performances from the following team members: Tim Patterson won the triple jump and placed 5th in the high jump. In the discus, Quentin Jenkins won second place and 5th place in the triple jump. In the 3200m race, James Bramblett was first and Remigio Gomez was third. In the 1600m race Brandon Wade was 1st and James Bramblett placed 2nd. Akeem Young, placed third in the high jump. Patrick Moody won 4th in the long jump and Boyd Sasser placed 5th. Michael Pickett was 5th place in the discus throw and Lavonte Lovett placed 5th in the shot put. After the first day of the region finals Jenkins Co. trailed the very tough and talented Claxton Tigers by 10 points. Waters stated, "I felt in the finals we had a chance to come back and score some big points to slowly close the lead held by Claxton. I knew we had a good chance to score a lot of points late and I felt very confident with our guys in the 4 X 400 relay. The 4 x 400 has always been our race and it was on the final day of the region meet. We had some big wins early to close in on Claxton's lead."

Patrick Moody won 1st in the 100m dash and the 200m dash. Tim Patterson won the 400m dash, Charles Reynolds won the 300m intermediate hurdles, Brandon Wade won the 800m race with Brad Amerson placing 6th. Charles Reynolds won the 110m high hurdles and Anthony Coggins placed 4th. JCHS won the 4x100 relay with Boyd Sasser, Quentin Jenkins, Charles Reynolds and Patrick Moody. The second team placed 5th with Tim Patterson, Quentin Williams, Marvin London and Dondre DeJesus.

"Going into the 4x400 relay, we had a mathematical chance to win, but making up 10 points in one race is very unlikely even though we had two strong teams in the race. Our first team was plagued with injuries with two men down. JCHS needed a miracle. Claxton also had two strong teams in the race, and Portal had a very good team in the race. But our boys wanted another region win something fierce, and Jenkins County put on a show leading from the start with both teams and finishing first and second. Claxton placed third, Portal fourth and Claxton #2 coming in fifth place," said Coach Waters.

Members of the first team were Brandon Wade, Charles Reynolds, Patrick Moody and Dag Gay. Members of the second team were Tim Patterson, James Bramblett, Marvin London, and Quentin Williams.

"Our guys did everything they could do within their power. It was unbelievable, truly one of the greatest comebacks as a team you will ever see. It was quite an exciting week. We have battled injuries all year long and still had them at region. When that happens it is very unlikely you can win the region championship as a team, especially with solid competition from teams like Claxton, Portal, Bryan Co., Calvary, and Savannah Country Day. Being named Co- Region champs with Claxton was quite an accomplishment under these circumstances. Claxton has a great team this year, but so do we. I'm so proud of these young guys for battling back and never giving up under some bad conditions. This speaks volumes about their commitment and their will to win," Waters said.

In addition to the outstanding team performances of the meet, senior, Patrick Moody, won the Male Region High Point trophy.

The JCHS War Eagles is preparing for the state meet in Jefferson on May 8-10.