Putnam County’s track-and-field teams recently competed at the Class A Division I sectional A meet for Regions 1, 2, 3, and 4 at Bleckley County High School in Cochran.
A second sectional meet occurred at Bremen High School for Regions 5, 6, 7, and 8. The top eight finishers in each event at both sectionals advanced to the Class A Division I state meet, May 9-10 at Barron Stadium in Rome.
Putnam County’s teams performed well and qualified nine athletes for the state meet in Rome. The boys secured five slots, while the girls earned four, with all holding high expectations of performing well at the state meet.
In field events for the Putnam County boys, Bill Waters tied for first place with several others in the high jump. He heads to the state meet along with Jamarion Robertson, who placed seventh in the triple jump.
Aiden Chaffin also qualified for the state meet in the 800-meter race with a time of 2:10.48 that placed him eighth.
The War Eagles’ 4x400-meter relay team, composed of Chaffin, Robertson, Don Dorsey, and Bryce Brabham, is also heading to Rome.
They finished fifth at the sectional meet with a time of 3:29.09 to qualify.
“I’m incredibly proud of these five seniors for qualifying for the state meet,” Putnam County boys coach Kedric Manning stated.
“From day one, they’ve shown what it means to lead with heart, discipline, and determination.
They’ve put in the work — late evenings, tough practices, setbacks, and comebacks — and now they get to compete on the biggest stage.
“They’ve not only earned this opportunity, but they’ve also inspired the entire team and our future teams with their example,” Manning continued. “It’s been an honor to coach them for the last two years.
I can’t wait to see them finish their high school careers at the state meet for the second year in a row, where they belong.”
Putnam County’s girls saw Alexis Evans finish seventh in the triple jump.
She was the only individual to qualify for the Lady War Eagles, but their 4x100-meter relay team placed seventh to earn the trip to Rome.
Evans, Tamiria Martin, Mahalia Bly, and Baylen Yarbrough qualified for the state meet with a time of 51.79.
Putnam County girls coach Cerria Porter said a few others fell short of qualifying, but she’s very proud of every one of her girls who competed at the sectional meet. She also expects those who qualified to compete hard.
“The girls have overcome numerous obstacles to reach this point,” Porter said. “We plan to approach state with a clear mind and hearts full of strength. I always remind them to ‘run for their lives,’ and they laugh because they understand what I mean. I told the ones who didn’t advance that it’s a setback for a greater comeback.”