Although weather hampered some region track meets across the state last week, student-athletes from Coldwater, Strayhorn and Independence squared off for a chance to earn bids to the upcoming state title meet in Pearl.
Coldwater took part in the Region 2-1A meet in Potts Camp, where the Cougars and Lady Cougars came away with a pair of fifth place team finishes. The Lady Cougars accrued 34 total points, just behind 46 earned by fourth-place Ashland, while the Coldwater boys collected 60 overall points, just 20 behind fourth-place finisher Coffeeville.
Junior Robert Williams was the big winner for the Cougars, placing first in the 100-meter dash and in the long jump competitions. Williams earned a result of 11.78 in the 100-meter dash and a 19-11.00 finish in the long jump.
Coldwater’s 4x100-meter girls’ relay team also placed first in its event, earning a 54.04 result and 10 of the Lady Cougars’ 34 team points. Freshman Sean Taylor captured a second-place finish in the 200-meter dash, while junior Rodarius Wooten placed second in the shot put and third in discus.
For Strayhorn, the Mustangs and Lady Mustangs competed in the Region 2-2A meet at Clarksdale High School. Although Clarksdale did not release overall team results for the event, the Mustangs did pick up first-place finishes from freshman Jose Rubio in the 1600-meter and 3200-meter runs, earning times of 5:20.00 and 12:12.00. Additionally, junior Zack Jerrell placed first in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:15.00.
Additional top finishes came in the boys’ 4x800-meter relay, where the Strayhorn boys captured a second-place finish. The Lady Mustangs also placed second in their 4x800-meter relay event, while freshman Sara Kate Blaine earned a second-place finish in the 800-meter run with a 3:02.00 result.
Meanwhile, Independence competed in the Region 1-3A meet in Iuka on April 14. Although team results were not made available for the event, the Lady Wildcats came away with several individual highlights.
Junior Caydence Brewer captured a pair of wins in the high jump and 400-meter dash events, earning a 5-00.00 result in the high jump and a 59.70 result in the 400-meter dash. Sophomore Nakyiah Walker also placed first in the 200-meter dash with a 24.61 result, while earning second place in the 100-meter dash.
Additionally, senior Jermeria Martin placed third in the 300-meter hurdles, earning a 54.32 result. On the boys’ side of competition, the Wildcats’ 4x400-meter relay team took third place with a time of 3:55.00.
