LHS track travels to Albany
Published 4:31 am Tuesday, December 6, 2005
A crowded field of 20 teams will compete today in Albany at the L.C. Smith/Lady Benson. No matter the competition, though, the Lowndes track program believes it is one of the finest teams in South Georgia.
“We’re not inferior competition for anybody,” Lowndes girls coach Hiram Johnson said.
Still, the level of play will be high thanks to a pair of talented hometown teams. Westover, the defending AAA champion, won the Yellow Jacket Invitational a week ago when Lowndes finished fourth. Two weeks ago, the Vikettes placed second at the Cairo Relays to Monroe, the 2004 runner-up in AAA, while Westover finished third, 26 points behind Lowndes.
“It’s always a good field and that’s the reason we like to run there,” Johnson said of the meet in Albany.
In Thomasville at the Yellow Jacket Invitational, Westover bettered Lowndes by 47 points thanks to 1-2 finishes in the triple jump, 800 meters and the pole vault, which accounted for 54 points. The Vikettes don’t have any vaulters since their pit no longer meets state regulations, but they can hope to catch up ground in the other events.
A pair of seniors have been strong competitors in the 800 and that could help propel Lowndes into the top three where Johnson expects his team to be. Candace McGriff finished in the top five each of the past two Saturdays, including second in Cairo. Classmate Krystle Pope racked up a fourth and a fifth to earn points in the event in both of those races.
McGriff also competes in the triple jump, where she scored in Cairo but got shut out in Thomasville on March 19. The high jump is actually McGriff’s best event has she finished second the past two weeks. Lowndes best competitor in the triple jump has been junior Markeisha Close, who earned six points for a third-place finish in Cairo and four for fourth last week.
The Vikettes can definitely count on points from junior Krystal Thomas. She shattered the school record by more than eight feet at the Yellow Jacket Invitational with a throw of 122 feet, four inches in the discus. She also scored a fourth in the shot put. Johnson also described fellow shot thrower Nakia Mitchell as one of the team’s most improved performers.
Rain on Tuesday pushed Lowndes’ home meet back a day, giving the team more rest and conditioning time.
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On Wednesday, Lowndes’ boys and girls track teams each placed first in meets at LHS.
Lowndes’ girls dominated, scoring 130 points, 90 more than second place Valdosta. Berrien was third (27 points) and Pierce was fourth (19).
For Lowndes, Candace McGriff placed first in the high jump and 800 and third in triple jump. Krystal Thomas was first in discus and shot put. Stephanie Sermons was first in 100, second in long jump, and third in 200. Markeisha Close first in 110 hurdles, second in triple jump, third in high jump. Star Bradley was first in 400, and second in discus and 200. Chanise Hart was first in 200 and second in 100. Zakiya Mitchell was first in 300 hurdles and fourth in 400. Adrienna Melvin was third in the 400 and fourth in long jump. Emily Touchton was second in 1600. Krystal Pope was second in the 800 and fifth in the 400. Nakia Mitchell was second in shot and fifth in discus. Lakita Richardson was second in 300 hurdles. Taccara Bivins was second in 400. Brianna Hyre was third in the 800 and fifth in the 1600. Keia Tillman was third in shot. Sarah Hegener was fifth in the 3200. Lowndes’ 4×100 relay teams finished first and second.
The Vikings earned 134 points. Valdosta was second with 107 points, with Lee County (68 points) third. Berrien and Pierce County tied for fourth.
