Thomas, Jablonski Medal at State

Monticello High School’s DeMario Thomas and Mari Jablonski both compete on track’s big stage last week and both returned home with medals.

Thomas was fifth in the GHSA Class AA boys 3,200-meter run while Jablonski was seventh in the girls distance event. It was the second year in a row the duo earned their way onto the medal podium.

“Mario had a personal record and moved from eighth last year to fifth this season,” coach Chris Pennamon said. “He said he wanted to aim for third next season but I told him why not go for first.”

With another year of high school competition to go Thomas has drawn the attention of some smaller colleges, his coach said.

“We are going to try our best to find him a place to run after high school,” said Pennamon.

Jablonski has been a staple for MHS in distance events in both track and cross country.

“Mari wanted to run under 13 minutes this year and she did that,”

Pennamon said. “She was able to battle and hold on for seventh.”

Jablonski also ran in the 1,600-meter run at state and finished 13th in that event.

“We knew that was going to be a tough race since the other times were so fast,” Pennamon said. “She wasn’t able to quite get a personal record but I was pleased with her effort and she was too.”

Pennamon said he is pleased with how the Hurricane track athletes worked and performed this spring and looks forward to working with each of the returning student-athletes next season.