Deerfield-Windsor, Sherwood athletes shine at State track meet

LOCUST GROVE — The GIAA State Track and Field Championships at Strong Rock Christian School provided a fitting stage for Southwest Georgia’s top athletes — and several rose to the occasion.

Few were more consistent than Whatley Fountain of Deerfield-Windsor School, who capped his season with another elite showing in Class AAA. Fountain placed fourth in the 1600-meter run (4:22.61) and followed with a runner-up finish in the 3200 meters (9:37.34), earning recognition among the meet’s top performances. He also added a sixth-place finish in the 800 meters, completing one of the most demanding workloads of the weekend.

Complete results are here.

Deerfield-Windsor’s success extended across both sides of the program.

On the girls side, Hallie Kay Wright finished fifth in the 100-meter hurdles, while Molly Star took sixth in the high jump. The Lady Knights’ 4×800-meter relay team also placed sixth after leading the race through the early laps in one of its strongest performances of the season.

Back on the boys side, Boyd Pollock added a third-place finish in the 110-meter hurdles, while the Knights’ 4×800 relay team finished fifth.

“We came up a little short on Friday in the field events and we were nursing some injuries, but I thought everyone who made the podium did a great job of competing,” Deerfield-Windsor coach Jake Clawson said. “Our girls 4×800 led the first five laps of the race and had a big breakout performance. Boyd Pollock and Hallie Kay Wright had the race of their lives in the hurdles and were perfect with their rhythm. Whatley did what he’s done all year and performed the way you’d expect an elite athlete to perform.”

In Class AA, Sherwood Christian Academy turned in one of the area’s most complete performances, led by a state title from Landon Chambless in the 110-meter hurdles and a runner-up finish in the 300 hurdles.

The Lady Eagles added a strong collection of podium finishes. Kaylee Hatcher placed second in the 1600 meters and fourth in the 800, while Jordyn Ban earned a podium finish in the 3200. Allie Hemmings took third in the 100-meter hurdles and contributed to eighth-place finishes in both the 4×100 and 4×400 relays.

Sherwood’s success didn’t stop with its headline performances.

The Eagles showed impressive depth across multiple events. Natnael Russell placed sixth in the 3200 meters and eighth in the 1600, while KJ Bevel earned a runner-up finish in the triple jump. In the high jump, Tripp Roberts and Michael Richards both reached the podium, underscoring the Eagles’ versatility. Additional field event points came from Ellie Beck (fifth, high jump) and Aziah Harrison (sixth, long jump), while Olivia Keith placed eighth in the 400 meters.

Southland Academy was led by Max Stansell, who placed fourth in the 200, 400 and 800 meters, while Isabel Kelley claimed a state title in the 800.

Southwest Georgia Academy highlighted its weekend with Marigrace Simmons winning the 3200-meter State title with a third place finish in the 1600. The Warriors also recorded a second-place finish in the 4×100-meter relay.

In Class AAA, Terrell Academy sent 19 athletes to the state meet and was led by Anna Kate Miller, who turned in a strong all-around performance. Miller placed ninth in the 800 meters (2:34), seventh in the 1600 (5:44) and ninth in the 3200 (12:49), finishing in the top 10 in all three of her events.