The boys have already crowned state champions in track and field. Now it’s time for the girls to take centerstage.
The all-classification state meet for girls track and field is Thursday through Saturday at Hugh Mills Stadium in Albany. The Flowery Branch girls qualified six athletes for the state championships after earning first place in nine events at the Region 7-AAA championships on May 5 at West Forsyth High.
Flowery Branch’s Kiara McCue-Woods qualified for state in the 1,600 meter and 3,200. Erika Rucker is headed to state in the 100 and 200, and Sam Salyers in the 100 hurdles and 300 hurdles for the Lady Falcons.
Kayla Smith (high jump), Rajeanna Jarrett (triple jump) and the 400-meter and 1,6000 meter relay teams for Flowery Branch also qualified for state.
Chestatee’s Jody Arthur is headed to state as the region champion in the shot put. Gainesville’s Hailey Solomon (shot put, discus), Shelbee Carter (pole vault, triple jump) and Sha’Doris Godwin (400, 200) also qualified for the state championships.
White County’s Jessie Dotson qualified for state in the 1,600 and 3,200. Lumpkin County’s Jessi Cantrell qualified for state in the high jump.
The field of survivors in the state baseball playoffs is also whittled down. Class A’s Lakeview Academy (25-1) and Class AA’s Jefferson (22-3) and Banks County (18-8) are the only local schools to advance into the second round.
The second-ranked Lions play host to Bremen (17-5) in a best-of-three series, beginning with a double-header at 2 p.m. Wednesday. Lakeview Academy defeated Fellowship Christian in the first round 10-0 and 19-0 last Friday. Bremen advanced with 6-4 and 14-9 wins against Walker last week.
Jefferson plays host to Blessed Trinity (20-8) in the second round at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at Horace Jackson Field. The Dragons defeated Model 3-0 and 13-6 last Friday in the first round. Blessed Trinity defeated Lamar County 10-1 and 11-1 in the first round last Friday.
Banks County will also play host to its second-round series. The Leopards advanced with a sweep of Chattooga last week and will take on Westminster in a best-of-three set beginning Wednesday.
The Gwinnett Braves play host to Durham at 2 p.m. today before heading on the road for games at Buffalo and Lehigh Valley the remainder of the week.