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Athletes seek state titles
5/17/2008 | Today's Georgetown Times Online Edition
Published on 5/8/2008
By R.G. Greene
rgreene@gtowntimes.com
Andrews High standouts Marcus Pope and Justin Duncan headline the area qualifiers for this weekend's state track and field championships at Spring Valley High.
Duncan was one of two triple winners from the area during the Class AA Lower State Championships last weekend at Bishop England High, taking first in the 110 hurdles, long jump and triple jump.
Pope - a six-time individual state champion - captured the 400 hurdles and 400 meters.
"Both of them are seniors, so they don't want to leave with any regrets," Andrews coach Bill Peterman said. "I expect them to give it everything they have.
"They've been part of our team since they were in middle school, so their high school careers have been longer than most. They've dedicated a lot of time and sweat to our team and represented us well. Their accomplishments have certainly helped us elevate our program."
The top four finishers in each event at the various Lower State meets qualified for the state finals.
Others making the grade for the Yellow Jackets during individual events last Saturday were Kenneth Knowlin and Devarnty Graham - both qualified in the 800 meters.
Andrews' 400-meter relay team (Devan Scott, Derrick Nixon, Janear Davis, Duncan), 1600-meter relay team (Knowlin, Nixon, Davis, Pope) and 3200-meter relay team (Graham, Jimon Dollard, Josh McCray, Knowlin) also qualified.
Waccamaw
Waccamaw's Eric Sparkman joined Duncan with three first-place finishes at Bishop England, capturing the 100 meters, 200 meters and the high jump.
"It's been a good season for Eric," Waccamaw coach Briael Blodgett said. "He has a lot of confidence after what he did at the Lower State meet. He really wants to have a good day (at the state championships)."
Waccamaw's Steven Canada won the 800 meters and also qualifying for the Warriors were Jarvis Tisdale (110 and 400 hurdles) and Charlene Tisdale (triple jump, high jump).
Carvers Bay
Carvers Bay's Daniel Bromell won the discus at the Class A Lower State meet in Sumter last weekend and Urania Dennison, Asia Grimmage, Jasmine Washington and Shakelya Moultrie captured first for the Lady Bears 400-meter relay team.
Other qualifiers for Carvers Bay's Boys team were Carlos Britton (110 hurdles), Kwame Geathers (shot put), Dyrell Porcha (shot put), Clayton Geathers (200 meters, long jump) and the 400 relay team of Cedric Reed, Geathers, Davious Chestnut and Jeremy Cox).
Individual qualifiers for the Lady Bears were Taylor (shot put), Moultrie (200) and Dennison (400 hurdles).
Georgetown
Georgetown senior LaQuan Priest is the top seed in the triple jump headed into the Class AAA state finals, having won the event in the combined Upper and Lower State meet at Lower Richland High last weekend - a qualifying meet, the top eight finishers in each individual event advanced to the state finals.
"LaQuan has been great all year," Georgetown coach Freddie Young said. "He cares about what he is doing and wants to make the most of the opportunity he has. We're hoping the success he's enjoyed all season will continue."
Also representing the Bulldogs at Spring Valley will be Gary Sessions (shot put).
