The Morgan County boys and girls track and field teams will head to next week’s GHSA Class state meet in Athens with a deep group of qualifiers across nearly every event group.
Both programs advanced multiple athletes through sectionals, earning state bids in sprints, distance races, hurdles, relays, and a wide range of field events.
Morgan County head coach Kelan Fraise said the program’s practice throughout the postseason has been simple: prepare, compete, and give athletes a chance to extend their seasons on the biggest stage.
“All the staff and athletes prepared to the best of our abilities. The goal for sectionals was to make the top eight and survive for the state championship at UGA. There, the kids will lay it all out on the line. They worked all season,” Fraise said. “For the athletes who fell short of state, they were a few seconds away, but we are super proud of them all. A week and a half to prepare again and have fun; that’s what it’s all about.”
The Morgan County girls will be represented in nearly every area of competition, led by a strong mix of versatility and all-around production.
In the field events, Addisyn Freeman qualified in both the long jump and triple jump, while Quinn Takacs earned state berths in both the shot put and discus. Alana Hawkins will also compete in the discus.
On the track, Lila Catterton advanced in the girls’ 100-meter hurdles. The sprint group is especially deep, with Javeria Gresham and Aziyah Robertson each qualifying for the 100- and 200-meter events. Chandler Aaron added another state appearance in the 400 meters, while also qualifying in the triple jump.
Relay races also provide multiple scoring opportunities for Morgan County, with the 4x100 squad of Jada Keeley, Aaron, Robertson, and Gresham advancing, along with the 4x200 team of Nylaa Hodnett, Keeley, Gresham, and Robertson.
The Morgan County boys will also arrive in Athens with a strong group spread across sprints, distance, hurdles, relays, and throws.
In field events, both Brody Jenkins and Jack Morris qualified in shot put and discus, giving the Bulldogs multiple scoring threats in the throws.
On the track, Jacoby Simmons earned a berth in the 100-meters race, while Zeki Locus qualified for the 300-meter hurdles.
Distance events are another major strength for the Morgan track team, with Brady Cousins qualifying in both the 1600 and 3200 meters. He is joined in the 1600 by Peyton Houser and in the 3200 by Ben Boulware.
In relay action, the 4x200 team of Sawyer Bartlett, Zy’Quavious Russell, Grant Smith, and Braxton Jones advanced. At the same time, the 4x400 squad of Locus, Corderius Griffin, Jones, Simmons, and Jonathan Brooks also earned a state bid.
The GHSA Class 2A state meet will take place on May 14 at UGA’s Spec Towns Track in Athens.