The Jefferson track and field teams turned in strong performances Saturday in the Greater Atlanta Invitational, with the boys finishing second, while the girls placed eighth.
The boys scored 88 points, trailing only Westminster, who scored 105.
The girls trailed GAC, Decatur, Westminster, Peachtree Ridge, Dawson County, Blessed Trinity and Lovett.
For the boys, Tyler Porter took first in the pole vault. Sky Porter took first in the triple jump with a personal record of 42’ 11 ½”, second in the long jump with a personal record of 20’ 11 ½”. Josh Kless placed first in the discus and shot put. Derrick Perkins took first in the 110-meter hurdles with a season record time of 15.52 seconds and second in the triple jump.
Other boys who turned in season bests or personal bests during the meet included Will Puckett in the long jump, Carson Newman in discus, Josh Watkins in the 400-meters, Jake Marlowe in the 800-meters, Dre’qunn Sewell in the 300-meter hurdles and Derrick Perkins in the 300-meter hurdles.
Also turning in season or personal bests was the 4x100 relay team of Perkins, Sewell, Chris Jackson and S. Porter, the 4x100 relay team of Newman, Puckett, Chase Brooks and Jake Sherman, and the 4x400 relay team of T. Porter, Perkins, Watkins and S. Porter.
For the girls, Kasey McDonald placed second in the discus and fourth in the shot put. Erin Knight placed fourth in the 800-meters. Iniki Allen took fourth in the 100-meter hurdles. Holly Baron took fifth in the 400-meters. Eden Starnes placed sixth in the long jump.
On Tuesday, Jefferson played host to East Jackson and Oglethorpe County.
The girls came away with a victory, scoring 79 points to best Oglethorpe’s 54 and East Jackson’s 31.
Marcayla Hester took top honors in the 400-meters and the triple jump. Kasey McDonald won in the shot put and discus. Iniki Allen won in the 100-meter hurdles and the 300-meter hurdles. Erin Knight won in the 800-meters. Lauren Phillips won in the 3,200. The 1,600-meter relay team also scored a victory.
The boys tied for second with Oglethorpe County, both scoring 55 points, while East Jackson scored 60 points to win.
Derrick Perkins took top honors in the triple jump, the 100-meter hurdles and the 300-hurdles. Josh Kless won n the shot put and discus. Sky Porter took top honors in the 400-meters. Tyler Porter won in the pole vault.
Up next, Jefferson will play host to Elbert County, Flowery Branch, North Oconee and Westminster on Friday. Start time is slated for 4 p.m.
