Led by two first-place finishes from both Laniesha Kearse and Maia Booker, the West Hall High girls track team took first place in the Region 8-AAA championships Monday at Walnut Grove High in Loganville. The Lady Spartans were in third place after Day 1 of the meet but recorded 68.5 points on Day 2 to take home the title. Kearse placed first in the 100 and 300-meter hurdles, while Booker raced to first-place finishes in the 100- and 200-meter dash.

Gainesville, which led after Day 1, finished in third place with 63 points. The Lady Red Elephants were led by a first-place finish in the 800-meter from Sara Hayes, who also added a second-place finish in the 1,600-meter Friday.

Gainesville coach Wayne Jones said the Lady Spartans and Lady Red Elephants will be a rivalry for years to come.

"We're both very young, and we look forward to competing against each other for the next few years," Jones said. "We don't expect to finish third next year, but I'm happy with the way we competed."

Also qualifying for state was Jessie Dotson of White County (first place, 1,600-meter), Chestatee's Vanessa Chavez (second, discuss) and Katelyn Lewis (second, pole vault), Gabrielle Hoffman of North Hall (first place, pole vault), Gainesville's Taylor Simms (first, shot put) and Haley Haynes of West Hall (second, high jump). The top two finishers in each event qualify for the state meet from May 12-14 at Hugh Mills Stadium in Albany.

LADY FALCONS PLACE THIRD AT REGION: Erica Rucker placed first in the 400- and 800-meter run to lead the Flowery Branch girls to a third-place finish in the Region 8-AAAA championships Friday in Loganville. Raejeanna Jarrett added a first-place finish in the long jump and a second-place finish in the triple jump for Flowery Branch. The top two finishers in each event qualified for the state meet from May 12-14 at Hugh Mills Stadium in Albany.

High school results may be reported by 10:30 p.m. by calling 770-718-3406, or emailing sports@gainesvilletimes.com.