Marion County track stars enjoy great runs

This past season several student athletes excelled in track and field competitions.

The Auctioneer, Swamp Fox and Golden Eagle track programs enjoyed a great run, resulting in a SCISA state championship for Pee Dee Academy and state final appearances from a dazzling relay team, led by one of the state’s top sprinters.

Marion’s Chamonte Granger won the 200-meter event in the Class 2A Lower State finals on May 9 at Bishop England High School and finished second in the 100-meter race.

For Granger, the thrill of competition and taking on the fastest runners the state has to offer is an experience that requires focus and a body that is 100 percent healthy. Olympic sprinters, such as the current 100-meter record holder Jamaica’s Usain Bolt, are known for their laid back and relaxed demeanor. However, Granger said he was feeling nervous just a day before the May 16 State Meet at Lower Richland High School.

He went on to finish fourth in the 100-meter final and with a time of 21.89 seconds, Granger earned a third place finish, in what he calls his best event.
Marion’s 4x400 meter relay team did well in the State Finals, also finishing in third place. The team of Lou Clemmons, Brian Gilliard, Jeremy Curry, Rashawn Hemingway and Granger finished in the top three in lower state, as well.

A nagging hamstring injury slowed Granger down during the 2008 season. He qualified for state in the same events as a sophomore and finished in the same position. Redeeming himself and getting back to championship form was the main goal for his senior year.

“This experience has been wonderful,” Granger said, thinking back on his years participating on the program. “It was a pretty successful season. We got better as a team and finished strong,” he said.
Granger said he thanks his coaches Cecil Fore, Tim Perkins, Donnie Watts, Mandi Brown and Leon Sturkey.

“Coach Sturk would be at the fence during the 200 hollering,” Granger joked.

Other members of the Swamp Foxes track team that qualified for State championships are long jump competitor Wesley Davis, shot putter Geneika Brantley, and 1600 m runner Jeremy Curry.

Mullins High School graduate and current Dillon High School track and field coach Wayne Alston has made some strides in his second year as coach along with “20-plus-year vet” Jason Gunter. Alston had 16 girls and 18 boys join his squad this season.

“It's a pretty small number to build a team with,” he said. “But a few of kids have finished strong.”

At lower state, Dillon's girls’ 4x800 meter relay team placed second and the 4x400 meter relay squad also finished second to qualify. Individuals included seventh grader Linzy Boatwright, Rejoice Boatwright and NaSwana Moon. Five out of six female competitors qualified for state, he said. Hurdler Justin Carmichael qualified in two events.

Pee Dee Academy took home the state championship medal in the 4 x 100 meter relay event with C.C. Causey, Mallory Nolan, Jessica Webb, and Robin Bucy. Nolan won the 100-meter, 200 meter and 400 meter events. T.J. Bass and Walker Moore both finished first in the shot put and long jump respectively.

Mullins got a big lift from sprinter Ashley Davis, winner in the 100-meter region final. The Lady Aucs 400-meter relay team of Brea Roberts, Danielle Edwards, Portia Phillips and Davis were strong contenders the entire season. Edwards and Roberts qualified in multiple events.

Sprinter George Page could be another state contender in the 100-meter race next season after a junior year that included a lower state appearance.

Marion High School lower state qualifiers: (4 x 100 meter relay) Amara Sturkey, Jaeda Bennett, Cherita Williams, Key’Essence Foxworth, Jessica Grant, (4 x 800 meter relay) Michayla Hamilton, Shynise Cooper, LaWuasha Williams, Tanisha Gerald, Shakiya Hickson, LaKeena Reed, (Shot put) Geneika Brantley. (4 x 800 meter relay) Ja-Quel McRae, Octavious Moody, Michael Murphy, Broderick Owens, (long jump) Deonte Johnson, Wesley Davis, (Shot put) Aikil Sanders.

Mullins High School lower state qualifiers: (1600 meter relay) Asha Brunson, (110 meter hurdles) Jeremy Legette, (long jump) Ceyquan Ritter, (discus) Antonio Anderson, (high jump) B.J. Crawford, (mile run) Josh James, (800 meter) Jaron Graham, (3200 meter relay) Chas Owens, Ryan Fladger, Sean Dorsey, Tyrell Grice, (400 meter relay) Antron Smith, (1600 meter relay) Isaiah Tannehill.

Marion's Amara Sturkey races down the track in the 4 x 100 meter relay with Mullins sprinter Ashley Davis in hot pursuit.