While team superlative honors went to Clarke Central at Saturday’s Gladiator Invitational, no one had a more impressive individual performance than Madison County’s Jamal Cooper.
The senior standout led all scorers by winning the 100 meters (10.8 seconds) and placing second in the 200 meters (21.62 seconds) and the long jump (21’3.25”).
Cooper accounted for 28.5 points.
Coach Jamie Sims called Cooper’s performance “another great day.”
“I am proud of him for continuing to do an outstanding job with every opportunity given,” coach Jamie Sims said. “He is a huge asset to our team.”
The Madison County boys’ track team was short-staffed for the second-straight meet due to spring break but still managed to finish in the top half of the field in the Gladiator Invitational. The Red Raiders placed fourth out of 11 teams with 75 points.
“I felt like we did the best we could with what we had, and I was pleased with our overall performance and our kids’ effort,” Sims said.
Meet host and region foe, Clarke Central, finished first with 122 points. Cedar Shoals, another 8-AAAA opponent, was second with 86.5 points.
Stan Maxwell added a second-place finish in the high jump with a career-best jump of 6’6.” Maxwell was also fourth in the 400-meter dash (50.47 seconds) and sixth in the long jump (19’4”).
Other top performers were Jeffrey Hicks (second, pole vault, 11’6”) and Matt Dove (third, discus, 121’8”).
Madison County’s 4 x 100 relay team also took second (42.4 seconds).
Sims noted contributions of Lashawne Willingham and Stanquavious Mack who stepped in and ran the first and third legs of the relay.
“That was very impressive to me, having a freshman and a sophomore on my ‘A’ team and still getting second place with a pretty good time as well,” Sims said.
Rounding out the scoring were Codey Brakhage (sixth, 800 meters), Corey Brakhage (sixth, 1,600 meters), Donavan Carey (fifth, 110-meter hurdles), T.J. Allen (eighth, pole vault).
According to gatfxc.com — a state track and cross country website — Cooper earned “national elite” status with his performances in the 100 and 200 meter dashes, as did Maxwell in the high jump.
Madison County came into Saturday’s meet having finished tied for second in a three-team home meet March 30 with Elbert County and Hart County.
Elbert County won the event with 70 points. Madison County and Hart County both had 45 points.
The Red Raiders were minus several key members due to spring vacation.
“So that put us out of some events that hurt us points- wise,” Sims said. “Other than that our kids competed well I am proud of them.”
Sims is eager to have his full lineup back for the final month of the regular season.
“I think we got a real shoot at winning region with the right team attitude and team work ethic,” he said.
MCHS BOYS WIN TUESDAY
The Madison County boys’ track team won a tri-meet at Cedar Shoals, with 72 points to defeat the host Jaguars (60) and Apalachee (38).
The Red Raiders won nine of 16 events and took second or third in eight of 16 events.
