Nine Columbia Academy track stars are heading to state this weekend in Jackson after qualifying at the MAIS AAA South State Championship at Silliman Institute April 24 and Saturday, with four claiming a South State title in the 4x800 relay.
The field events and the 3,200 meter run will take place Friday at Jackson Academy, and the running events will be Saturday at Jackson Prep.
Hannah Rogers, Charlee Brees Franks, Macy Robertson and Natalie Ragan won the relay and set a school record with a time of 10:56. Franks and Robertson, both sixth graders, were replacements for Ina Claire Parker (injury) and Samantha Ragan (previous commitment), while Rogers and Ragan are only freshmen.
“That was big,” track coach Duane Powell said. “We’ve been working on that for the past year. We got the bronze medal at state last year, and we didn’t lose anybody so we thought we’d have a good chance to do it again and maybe advance a little further. I think we’re in the driver’s seat at this point.”
Powell said Rogers’ performance was especially impressive after she missed two months with an injury and has only been back for a few weeks.
James Ragan, Warren Parker, Gavin Woods and Hagen placed third in the 4x800 boys relay with a time of 9:03.40.
The Cougars also had several individuals place second in their respective categories. Lizzie Sullivan set a school record in the long jump and took silver with a jump of 16 feet, 5 inches. Warren Parker placed second in both the 1,600 meter run and the 3,200 meter with times of 4:59.42 and 11:12.27, respectively. Natalie Ragan matched Parker in taking silver in two long-distance runs, finishing the 800 meter run in 2:40.70 and the 1,600 meter in 5:55.59.
Franks also qualified for state in the 800 meter run alongside Natalie Ragan, placing fourth with a time of 2:44.50.
“We’re a real young team, with most of our kids being junior high kids that we brought up to the varsity level. I’m real satisfied with the result,” Powell said. “If we just stick together, we have a real good future.”
Despite breaking a CA school record, sixth grader Madelyn McKenzie just missed qualifying for state as she finished fifth in the 3,200 meter run with a time of 13:09.74. Maddie Claire Sauls also broke a school record without qualifying, placing fifth in the triple jump with a distance of 31 feet, 11 inches. Only the top four finishers in each event qualify.
Pictured Above: The South State champion 4x800 meter relay team is joined by track coach Duane Powell. From left are Natalie Ragan, Hannah Rogers, Macy Robertson and Charlee Brees Franks. | Photo Submitted
