Dougherty County teams make progress in Westover Relays

ALBANY — As the track and field season starts to wind down, the intensity begins to pick up for Dougherty County teams. Friday’s Westover Relays served as another benchmark for teams as they gear up for the regional meet scheduled to take place at the end of the month.

The Monroe girls took first place with a score of 160, followed by Westover with 118.5 and East Laurens with 70.

Among the boys, Turner County finished first with 91 points. New Manchester placed second with 82, barely edging out Westover, who finished with 81.5.

Monroe’s girls team got the expected points on the track as Jaeda Hunt and Mikendy Edwards finished first and second in the 100. The duo finished first and second in the 200, as well. The Tornadoes also took first in both the 4×100 and the 4×400 relays.

Ja’Milya Poole and Camielle Milledge finished first and second respectively in the 400 with times of 54.53 and 58.25, and head coach Billy Glanton said that is a big development.

“Jamiyah Poole and Cameille Milledge both looked a little bit better than they have at midseason, which is a key event for us,” Glanton said. “We’re going to have to do well in that event in order for us to have a chance at state”

Keith Pratt finished third for the Monroe boys team in the 100 meter dash, and De’Monn Ansley finished third in 200.

“We’re still grooming a couple people, both boys and girls that are going to be key people in regionals, sectionals and state,” Glanton said.

“With the boys I’m trying to groom a couple young guys in the 400, and I don’t think they did too bad their second time running. Hopefully they’ll get to where I need them to get.”

Westover’s boys teams saw a strong performance from Henry Plowden, as he placed first in the 1,600 with a time of 4:46.03. Rodric Walls finished third in 400 and second in 800 for the Patriots, and head coach Lewis Smith said he’s excited to see what his track athletes can accomplish.

“I feel really excited about the boys team, they’re strong on the track,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of ground to catch up on in the field, we’re not even close to where we need to be in the field.”

Westover’s girls team saw Chastity Pickett place first in 100 hurdles with a time of 14.54. Shamia Jones finish third in 800, and Marshayla Jones placed third in the 3,200.

Smith said he feels both teams are about where they should be at this stage in the season.

“We’re at the point at the season where we’re a little sore so we’ve got to be careful about training, but no major physical problems. I think our mindset is good. We feel like we can compete in a number of events.”

The Dougherty Trojans have seen a bump in numbers and are starting to produce. Jakeala Dungee had a solid day finishing third in the 200 and fourth in 100.

Head coach Mario Nazium said his team made a good bit of progress Friday.

“I feel pretty good,” he said. “We’ve done what we’re supposed to do, we’ve met our goals, our times have gone down, distances are getting farther, and we’re clearing the heights that we need to. It’s all about staying humble and in that mentality where you’re competing like it’s your first time and you’re still trying to reach that goal and not getting complacent with what you have going on.”