Local athletes bring home state medals

Freshman Dennia Earnest took fourth in the high jump for Apalachee while Amanda Cope earned two top-eight showings for Winder-Barrow High School at the Class AAAA state track meet in Albany last week.

Earnest cleared 5-2 in the high jump and was on the winner’s stand during her first trip to Albany.

Cope, who has been a force all spring for the Lady Bulldoggs, was fifth in the 1,600-meter run (5:24) and sixth in the 3,200-meter (11:40.)

Cope’s teammate, Amanda Gregory, was eighth in the 3,200-meter with a personal best of 12:04. Cope’s time in the 3,200 was also a personal record.

“The girls state track meet was definitely one to remember,” said WBHS coach Jennifer Blevins. “Seeing two of our athletes on the podium together, side by side, was amazing.”

Cope’s time in the 3,200 was just three seconds off a school record. In the 1,600-meter run, Cope is getting closer, Blevins said, to the believed school record of 5:20.

“She still has two more years to improve and to participate in the state meet,” her coach said.

Marie Lyle finished 10th in the 800 with a time of 2:40 for the Lady Bulldoggs.

“This was definitely not her very best race, but her efforts were definitely respectable,” Blevins said. “The first time at the state meet can be an overwhelming experience. Marie is graduating with a phenomenal 2:25 in the 800 at the region meet which earned her a region championship.”

Blevins said she will always remember Lyle’s region championship.

“It was the pinnacle of Marie’s 800 career at WBHS,” the coach said. “She finally figured out how to run the 800 and let it show at the most important part of the season. Representing WBHS at the state meet was fabulous, but the region meet is where she made it happen. I just wish we could keep Marie around for another year so she can go into the state meet with more experience and really put on an awesome race.”

Lady Bulldogg Brittany Witt placed 10th in the long jump with a mark of 15-6.5.

“I do wish I could have really seen how her efforts in the weight room paid off, but I can wait until next year,” Blevins said. “As a junior, Brittany has another year to refine her form and add some distance to her jump. She is a hard worker, is a relaxed competitor and is willing to do what it takes to improve. That attitude will place her back in the state meet next year and earn her a trip to the podium.”

With just four athletes competing at state, WBHS finished 17th in the state as a team.

“That’s not bad for the efforts put out by only four girls,” Blevins said.

AHS STATE

Sorrells was equally as proud of his athlete at state.

Dennia did awesome,” the AHS coach said. “She competed extremely well. She jumped 5-2 and placed fourth. The winner jumped 5-4. I was very proud of her as I have been all season.”