Benjamin Wins Two State Track Titles
Zach Benjamin capped his standout athletic career for Piedmont Academy with two individual state track championships last week in Albany.
Benjamin won the 100-meter dash in 11.27, edging Candler Rich of Heritage, who ran the event in 11.42. Benjamin took the 200-meter dash with a time of 23.10 with Cam Whitaker of Southwest Georgia finishing as runner-up in 23.21.
Perhaps the only disappointment for Benjamin was he was not quite able to break the state record in the 100-meter dash of 11.04.
“I am very excited to have done so well,” Benjamin said. “I think my past experience at state helped me this year. It can be intimidating at the state meet. I just kept telling myself not to false start.”
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Benjamin also was part of the 4×100-meter relay team, which finished fifth with a time of 46.58. Nick Dimsdale was the leadoff runner followed by Hunter Clark, Gaven Edge and Benjamin. Edge stepped in for Peter Lawson, who was suffering from a quad injury.
“We tried to keep Zach rested and out of the sun between events,” said Piedmont coach Rhett Farmer. “There was not much of a wait between the relay and the 100-meter dash. There was a longer wait until he ran the 200.”
The Cougar coach was pleased with how Benjamin handled competing in three state events.
“We didn’t know how much the relay would take out of him,” Farmer said. “We didn’t know what it might do to his routine.”
Benjamin finishes his track career with three state championships and several region titles in the 100 and 200-meter events.
With his high school career now complete, Benjamin is looking to future. He said he will likely attend Columbus State and compete for the school’s track team.
“I’ve talked with their coach and it seems like a good place for me,” Benjamin said.
Also for Piedmont, Austin Corley took seventh place in the shot put with a throw of 38-8, earning two team points during state in Albany.
Overall, the Piedmont boys compiled 26 points to finish 11th overall, just one point out of the top 10. Brentwood was the overall winner for Class AA.
