VHS Indians Track At State Meet
Courtesy of VHS
The Vidalia High School track & field teams were in Commerce last weekend to compete in the GHSA State AA Track Meet. Both the boys and girls had members that came home with State Championships and set several school records.
Girls
In Commerce, the Lady Indians faced off with some steep competition, bringing home a new State Champion. Takaiyah Bacon broke the school record three times sealing her Championship finish in the triple jump with a jump of 37'10'.
Bacon also finished 2nd in the long jump with a jump of 17'11'. Freshman Dreshiya Jackson placed 6th in the long jump.
The Lady Indians rallied again and again in the relays but fell just short of making the finals, but still had great performances. Georgia Meredith competed well in the 3,200m run as did Dashia Ford in the triple jump and 100 hurdles, but narrowly missed the podium.
Coach Mandy Godbee said, “These ladies have grown and developed exponentially throughout the season. The State Meet did not go as well as we wanted it to, but with all the challenges they faced as a young team, they broke two school records this season and rallied to win the Region Track Meet. I cannot wait to see how they come back next year. They already have high hopes and expectations.”
Boys The Indians competed well at the GHSA State Championship meet in Commerce. The boys brought home medalists in eight events and destroyed one school record.
In the running events, Cash Driggers ran a personal best and placed 3rd in the 800m with a time of 1:57.99, narrowly missing the school record. Driggers was also on the 4x800m relay team that broke the school record at Sectionals and again bested it at the State Meet. The 4x800m relay with team members Jordan Johnson, Andrew Hodges, Jude Owen, Driggers and Timothy Corbin placed 5th with a time of 8:28.
Freshman Andre Jackson placed 6th in the 100m dash with a time of 10.94. AJ Thomas had a great day in the high jump and placed 6th.
The sprint relay teams were not projected to make the finals, but that did not stop them. All 3 relay teams ran season best times and earned a spot on the podium. the 4x200m team rallied and knocked 3 seconds off their best time of the season and placed 3rd, narrowly missing the school record with at time of 1:29.8. This team consisted of Jaydyn Young, Nolan Wade, Deante Terrell and Andre Jackson. The same team also placed 5th in the 4x100m relay. The 4x400m team placed 7th with the team of Jordan Johnson, Deante Terrell, Jaydyn Young, Andrew Hodges and Alton Boles.
This team began their season slowly with hopes of a Region Championship, but it looked bleak from the beginning, but they rallied as a team, won the Region Championship and manage to earn their podium spot.
Coach Godbee stated, “This is the most growth and development I have ever experienced from a team in one season. It didn't come easy for them, but they found a way to compete with the best in the state, and it was an honor to coach them and be a part of their journey.”
VHS Triple Jump Champion – Takaiyah Bacon took home the title in the triple jump for the Lady Indians.
Photo by VHS
VHS 4x200m Relay Team Takes 3rd In State – (L to R): Andre Jackson, Nolan Wade, Jaydyn Young, and Deante Terrell.
Photo by VHS
