Published Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:32 PM
Updated Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:33 PM
From left, Clayton Thornton, Josh Taylor and Sebastian Tillman will compete with the Green Wave 4x800 relay team this weekend as it tries to bring home a state title.
Athletes to contend for championships
Track and field athletes from Summerville and Fort Dorchester high schools will compete for state titles today and tomorrow.
During the Lowerstate qualifying meet May 3, the Green Wave qualified athletes to compete in 11 events (7 boys and 4 girls) during this weekend’s Class 4-A/3-A state championship meet. The Patriots qualified athletes in six events, all on the girls’ side.
Summerville track coach Steve Wilson says those who qualified seem to be peeking just at the right time.
“I’m excited about the quality of these athletes,” Wilson said. “Dejon Wilkinson has topped his personal record in the triple jump by 13 inches. Sprinter Branden Felder had a slow start this season, but he has come on strong in the last month. Aaron Ravenna qualified for both hurdle events. Benjamin Pope topped his best mark in the pole vault by a foot and our boys’ 4x800 relay team had the second fastest qualifying time in the state.”
The relay team of Clayton Thornton, Josh Taylor, Sebastian Tillman, Devon Wilder, Anthony Robertson and Issac Grant finished with an 8:17.71 time last weekend, second only to Wando’s 8:15.91 time. Taylor also qualified for the 3200-meter run with a 10:13.70 time. During last month’s Region 8-AAAA championship meet, Thornton, Taylor and Tillman all placed in the top four for both the 3200 and 1600.
Felder qualified for the 100 with a 10.86 time. Ravenna qualified for the 110 hurdles (15.09 time) and was the top Lowerstate qualifier for the 400 hurdles (55.85). Wilkinson’s triple jump qualifying mark was 45-feet, 01.5 inches. Pope’s qualifying mark in the pole vault was 13-06.
On the girls’ side, senior Stacee Roberts returns to the state meet to defend the shot put championship she earned last year. Sydney Hazel qualified in the 3200 with an 11:41.20 time and Briauna Jones qualified in the long jump (17-08.50) and triple jump (36-08.50).
“I’d say Roberts has to be the favorite going in,” Wilson said. “Hazel is only a freshman, but she is an experienced freshman and should be in the top three. Jones is also young, but she is doing her best jumping of the year.”
Fort Dorchester’s Searra Jones will defend the state championships she earned last year in the long jump and triple jump. Her qualifying marks this year were 17-10.50 and 39-02.00. She qualified for the 100 (12.33) as well.
Keri Emanuel also qualified for the long jump (17-02.05) and triple jump (38-06.50) for the second straight year and Kaysee Sullivan qualified for two field events, the shot put (35-03.75) and discus throw (105-02).
Jones and Emanuel also helped the Fort 4x100 relay team qualify. Kristian Jones and Denisha Beniken are the two other members of the team.