Ethel freshman Dejah Merritt has a simple explanation for running the 300 hurdles. “I just go,” she said. “What I do, I do my best.”
“Go” she did in winning the event at the MHSAA South State 1A meet last Saturday at Madison Central High School.
Ethel girls also won the 800 relay in finishing fourth as a team with 45 points. Sacred Heart was the winner with 116 points, followed by Vardaman with 113 points and East Marion 71.5. Ethel boys were 16th with 12 points. Mississippi School for the Deaf was the winner.
Merritt ran on the 800 relay team with her cousin Jaterika Merritt, Takia Miller and Zakiya Dotson that was victorious with a clocking of 1:50.41. Tyleisha Meaders joined Dejah Merritt, Miller and Dotson on the 1600 relay team that finished second 400 relay team that was third. The 1600 team finished only a second and a half behind Sacred Heart despite Miller having to compete with a hurt leg injured while running the 400.
In individual events, Dotson finished third in the 100, Jaterika Merritt sixth in the 200 and Miller seventh in the 400.
The top four in each event qualified for the state meet to be held Saturday at Pearl High School.
The boys 12 points were provided by Izik Stewart, who was third in both hurdle races.
