Kegler’s two medals lead Dougherty’s efforts at state championships

ALBANY — Dougherty sophomore Zeterria Kegler led the way for the Trojans at the GHSA Class 3A state track and field championships Saturday at Hugh Mills Stadium, earning two individual medals in the hurdles events. Several other Dougherty athletes also made it to the podium, capping a strong showing for the team.

Kegler captured second place in the 110-meter hurdles, finishing just 0.6 seconds behind state champion Dalen Penson of Sandy Creek. After qualifying for the finals on Friday with a personal-best time of 14.53 seconds, Kegler entered Saturday’s race as the third seed and delivered a strong finish with a time of 14.72 to secure the silver medal.

In the 300-meter hurdles, Kegler added another accolade by racing to a fourth-place finish with a time of 39.31 seconds. Sandy Creek’s Jude Adderly took first in the event with a time of 38.42 seconds. Due to weather delays, Friday’s preliminary round for the 300-meter hurdles was rained out, adding to the challenge for the competitors.

Kegler wasn’t the only Dougherty athlete to shine at the state meet. Senior Jaquavus Hallman leaped to a fifth-place finish in the boys’ triple jump, marking his best distance at 47 feet, 4 inches. The event was won by Sandy Creek’s Penson, who followed his hurdles victory with a first-place jump of 50 feet, 0.5 inches.

Another medal-winning performance came from Dougherty’s Zaterrious Griffin, who earned a fifth-place medal in the high jump. Griffin cleared six feet to reach the podium, while Blake Davis of Sandy Creek claimed the title with a jump of 6 feet, 6 inches.

The Trojans were well-represented at the state meet, with several athletes competing in relay and individual events. Grace Smith and Dariona Simmons participated in the girls’ events, while the 4×100 girls’ relay team of Miracle Stephens, Trinity McCrary, Kenniyah Fogler, and Dejoria Jones also took the track.

On the boys’ side, the 4×100 relay team of Jason Armstrong, Jaquavus Hallman, Jayden Corbett, and Zeterria Kegler competed, demonstrating the depth of Dougherty’s track program.