The Kosciusko boys track team scooped up a first-place finish at the regional track meet on April 15 at Center Hill High School, while the Lady Whippets placed second overall.
Players from both teams will compete at the North State championship on Saturday.
The Region 4A championship was Whippets head coach Derrick Huffman’s first in his three years at the school.
Devonte Ellis placed (11.00) first in the 100-meter dash, while. E'Shavious Mays (56.56) earned a third-place finish in the 400-meter dash. In the longer distances, Jorge Orduna (5:16.14) claimed third place in the 1,600-meter run, and Gustavo Orduna (12:27.67) also finished third in the 3,200-meter run.
Dontavious Fondren placed first and third in the 110-meter and the 300-meter hurdles.
The Whippets' 4x100-meter (43:90) and 4x200 meter (1:32.62) relay teams claimed top honors, and Kosciusko picked up second place in the 4x400-meter (3:48.01) relay.
“The boys’ 4x100 team is really fast,” Kosciusko girls track coach Eleazarus Greenleaf said. “I think they came in first place in every event except the Bianca Knight Invitational, but they’re really fast.”
Terry Skinner (6-00.00) finished first in the high jump, while Azikwe Mays (5-10.00) placed third. Skinner (19-09.00) earned a second-place finish in the long jump.
Calvin Banks (40-10.50) was the second-place finisher in the high jump, and Kentrell Teague (8-0.00) and Jaius Teague (7-06.00) placed first and second, respectively, in the pole vault.
Macy Arnold ran a 7:28.50 in the girls’ 1,600-meter dash to finish second.
Tyler Merritt (16:34.92) and Mackenzie Alford (17:41.61) ended first and third, respectively, in the 3,200-meter run.
The Lady Whippets’ 4x100-meter relay team claimed first place, while the 4x200-meter and 4x800-meter teams placed second.
Tyneria Cross (4-10.00) was the first-place finisher in the high jump.
Diamond Rayford (16-09.00) and Mikhayla Vaughn (16-07.00) grabbed first and second in the long jump. Vaughn (32-10.00) also snagged second place in the triple jump.
A trio of Lady Whippets -- Presley Fulgham, Kaleb Sallis and Vaughn – placed first, second and third in the pole vault.
“All the girls are focused, and they’re realizing their mistakes at regionals, and they’re looking forward to North State,” Greenleaf said. “Even during the Easter break, I had some kids come in and run and practice on their field events. They’re very dedicated and working hard toward advancing and winning a North State championship and advancing to the state championship.”
