Seeming like a smaller version of the 2008 Summer Olympics, Marion High School played host to the Class 2A Region 7 track meet.
With seven school teams and more than 150 participants, student athletes challenged one another in a bid to qualify for the lower state championships. Events went strong from morning to the end of the school day.
“This is wonderful, this is what you shoot for during the entire season,” Athletic Director Ron Lanham said. The preparation during the year helps to qualify for the better lane assignments during the region meet. The top four finishers advance to compete for state championship honors.
Marion and Mullins were well represented in the regional track meet with relay teams making a surprisingly strong run. Auctioneer runner, and strong contender in the one mile and two mile race, Christian Phillips will be one of the individuals moving on to the next level. The senior finished in first place in the mile race, and has been on a steady climb since the seventh grade, with region wins from eighth grade through 10th.
“I’m really running against time because I haven’t ran in that many meets so I have to go off my practice and running times,” Phillips said of his preparation. As a junior Phillips finished in sixth place in the state final, and also runs on the cross country team.
Jeremy Leggett qualified in the 110 meter hurdles along with Ashley Davis, who also qualified in the 110 meter hurdles, 100 meter dash, and 4 X 100 relay race. Davis has proven to be a top notch sprinter with a win in the hurdles and second place finish in the 100 meter dash.
The 4 X 100 boys relay team for Marion also got the job done in qualifying. Ra Ra Hemingway, Josh Clark, Jeremy Curry, Kendrick Owens, and Chamonte Grainger form a solid squad. Grainger is a burner and one of the top sprinters for the Foxes team, but a hamstring injury puts a damper on one of the best chances of winning the event. However, Hemingway advanced in the 100 meter dash and 110 meter hurdles, while teammate Josh Clark also qualified in the 100 meter dash.
“For the most part it’s like we’re competing against time, unless people start talking about they’re faster,” Hemingway said of the challenges experienced at the big event. Despite the late injury, Grainger said it has been a successful season, and is thrilled with the times he has been able to run while healthy, taking part in four events. “Our team has still been able to succeed, I’m hoping we take the region again this year,” he said.
Dillon boys and girls runners qualified in the 4 X 800 relay. Anthony McRae is a gifted runner with his sights set on a state championship after qualifying the 400 meter race and with the 4 X 800 relay team. Wildcat Johnathan Wright used his wide receiver ability to stretch the field with a qualifying run in the 200 meter race. Dillon track team coach Wayne Alston said his team has been trying to get in all the practice time he can get to have his team focused.
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Marion High School hosts regional track meet
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Published: April 22, 2008
Published: April 22, 2008
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Anthony Mcrae,
Ashley Davis,
Athletic Director,
Auctioneer Runner,
Chamonte Grainger,
Christian Phillips,
Dillon Track Team Coach,
Gifted Runner,
Grainger,
Injury,
Jeremy Curry,
Jeremy Leggett,
Johnathan Wright,
Josh Clark,
Kendrick Owens,
Late Injury,
Marion,
Marion High School,
Ra Ra Hemingway,
Ron Lanham,
Sports,
Sprinter,
The 2008 Summer Olympics,
Wayne Alston,
Wide Receiver
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