Dragons prepare for Georgia Olympics
BY JUSTIN POOLE
Jefferson High School has seven members of the Dragons’ track team that have qualified to compete in the Georgia Olympics, May 8 through May 10.
The athletes who are moving on to state from Jefferson are Tyler Porter, 13’ in the pole vault; Dexter Morgan, 145’6” in the discus; Wesley Milton, 51.50 in the 400m dash; Elijah Wright, 15.28 in the 110m hurdles; the number one 4 x 400m relay group of Milton, Jeremy Deremer, John Sharpton, and Judson Stewart, 3:32.22.
“The State Qualifiers have enough quality to represent Jefferson well,” said head coach Tim Corbett. “I appreciate the commitment displayed by each individual who made this team a success.”
Overall, the Dragons finished second in the region meet, scoring 102 points, in 14 of 16 events. Athens Christian took first place scoring 138 points.
According to Corbett, the team also had over 25 season best performances.
“We had over 25 season best performances which tells me a few things,” said Corbett. “One, the kids really put forth exceptional effort, two, the kids were able to handle the pressure of competition and three, each of our coaches did a great job getting this bunch to peak at the right time as well as motivate these young people to do their best.”
The season best performers from the Region 8 A meet are: Sharpton, 6’ in the high jump; Milton, 18’9.5” in the long jump, 51.21 in the 400m dash and 2:06.60 in the 800m run; Wright, 40’7” in the triple jump and in the 400m split 51.30; Deremer, 4:51.96 in the 1600m, 2:04.97 in the 800m, and in the 400m Split 53.60; Derrick Perkins, 16.54 in the 110m hurdles and 44.47 in the 300m hurdles; Stewart, 24.00 in the 200m; Travis Surrell, 11:33 in the 3200m; Jonathan Herrington, 11:40 in the 3200m; the number 2 group of Vontae Banks, Perkins, Ronnie Lewis, Dwain Clink, 46.90 in the 4 x 100m relay; the number 2 group of Banks, Lewis, Josh Watkins, DJ Rodriguez, 3:44.20 in the 4 x 400m relay; and the number one group of Milton, Deremer, Stewart, Wright, 3:32.22 in the 4 x 400m Relay.
“I truly enjoyed watching these guys compete and it is rewarding to finish the season with these individual and team performances,” Corbett said. “Track is one of the most measurable sports; one cannot argue with an athletes performance, if it's his personal record.”
The next challenge for the qualifiers will be next week, starting May 8, in Jefferson at the Georgia Olympics.
LADY DRAGONS
The Lady Dragons’ had five qualify to go to state, Marcayla Hester, Erin Knight, Brianna Caudell, Daniella Watson, and Kaylee Lopez all will be going to the state meet Thursday, May 1 through May 3, at the Hugh Mills Stadium in Albany.
