Tallassee's sectional winners (from left): JD McKenzie, Joseph Hooks, Jay Terry, Trent Morris. Photo courtesy of Tallassee Track.

Track has multiple qualifiers for state

Contributed

Over the weekend, the Tallassee High School track team traveled to Smiths Station to compete in the AHSAA 5A Sectional 2 meet. Other teams in the section  consisted of: Charles Henderson, Brewbaker Tech, Valley, Carrol of Ozark, Beauregard, Rehobeth, Elmore County, Holtville, Sylacauga, Clay Central, Eufaula, Marbury, Shelby County and Headland

The meet was held over a two-day period and the top five placers in each event (top three in relay events) got an automatic bid to compete at the state meet in Gulf Shores. Those that were not auto qualifiers still had a "wildcard" opportunity to make the trip to state.  

There is a team sectional meet winner as well. THS went into the meet expected to finish in eighth, based on seeding, but ended up placing third.  

"We went into the meet ranked in the middle of the pack and came out having an opportunity to get the team runner-up spot." said Tallassee head coach Danny Worley. "This is a testament to the kids showing up and running hard and outperforming their season bests. We had quite a few personal record's and a couple of shockers to be honest."

Coming in ranked fourth was the 4x100 meter relay team ran. The group ran a season best 43.14 and won the sectional championship. They will be ranked third overall for the state meet. 

"We went from hoping we can run well enough to get a wildcard to, wow - we have a shot to be sectional champs. That's exactly what happened," said THS assistant coach Mark Baynes, who directs the relay team.  

The 200 meter sprinters had a great preliminary showing as well with all three of the Tiger runners qualifying for the finals.

"That's the first time in quite a while that we've had three gold jerseys in a sprint final at sectionals" Worley added. "Also, JD McKenzie medaling in the 100 meter dash was quite the accomplishment as well.

"As a staff we were proud of the effort the team gave at sectionals and hope we can continue it at state, hopefully bring home a medal winner or two."

THS State Qualifiers (Sectional Places)
Jay Terry - 4x100 (1), LJ (3), 200m (3)
JD McKenzie - 4 x100 (1), 200m (5), 100m (3)
Joseph Hooks  - 4x100 (1)
Trent Morris -  4x100 (1)
Tra'Mel McCoy - 110mh (5), 300mh (WC), TJ (WC)
Marquese Griffin - 400m (3), 300mh (WC)
Rowen Thorton - HJ (WC),  TJ (WC)
Shawn Ward - 110mh (WC)
Irvin Delfin - 3200m (2)