Tracksters Excel at State

Back in October of 2016, Mari Jablonski edged out her older sister Alina in the state cross country meet as she won the State AA Cross Country championship as a ninth grader.

But this May, 11th grader Alina turned the tables on her younger sister by winning the 3200 meter AA State Championship at the state track meet in Albany.

Alina’s time for first place was 12:26 while her sister Mari came in fifth in the state at 13:03. Both girls also placed in the 1600 meter the next day with Alina placing third and Mari placing eighth.

Also competing at state was Senior Jay Johnson who was second in the long jump with a career best of 23 feet, less than an inch behind the state winner. Senior Talia Norwood excelled by placing seventh in the state with a jump of 16 feet 8 inches in the girl’s long jump.

Coach B.J. Thomas said, “These are some of the hardest working athletes that I have had the opportunity of working with over the years. Great kids from great families and I’m very proud of them.” The state track meet ends up a very successful year for JCHS athletics with many teams advancing to state competition.