Cougar Jeremiah Dave Is State Champ

Piedmont Academy senior Jeremiah Dave termed his trip to Albany for the GISA state track meet as a “great experience.”

Dave’s trip will likely always stay with him as the Piedmont Academy senior captured the GISA Class AA title in the shot put with a throw of 44-4. Ironically, Dave said he had a positive feeling that he just might win the whole thing even before the competition began last week.

“I had been throwing a regulation college shot put,” Dave said. “The one used for high school is two pounds lighter so once I changed, it really made the throws seem a lot easier. It was definitely a highlight of the season for me.”

Dave, who will be attending Fort Valley State after graduation, said winning a state championship while representing Piedmont was important to him.

“It was great winning another state track title after the program had not had one in a few years,” he said.

Dave is completing his first year Piedmont and was a contributor in all sports he competed in.

In addition to Dave’s state championship, Amelia Dodson came close to winning it all for the Piedmont girls track team in the 300-meter hurdles. Dodson was second overall in Albany.

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Dodson admitted to being surprised by her performance. She was competing in the event for the first time this spring and was dividing her time between track and soccer.

“I wasn’t expecting to do so well,” said Dodson, a junior. “I had not been able to practice a lot so I was happy to even get to state. When I was in Albany, I just gave it my best and ended up second.”

After doing so well this season, Dodson said she had set a goal to perhaps win state next year.

“I will continue to work at it and try to improve before next season,” she said.

After having a standout region meet, senior Hunter Knox turned in another strong effort at state, finishing third in the high jump and 400-meter dash and seventh in the long jump.

The 4×100-meter relay boys team of Michael Edwards, Ben Davis, Hank Strickland and Knox was fifth overall while Chase Young was ninth in the 800-meter run.

For the Lady Cougars, Dodson, Anna Knox, Emily Hammonds and Taylor Patterson were fifth in the 4×100-meter relay while Sara Hammonds, Dodson, Sydney Davis and Emily Hammonds were sixth in the 4×400-meter relay.

Sara Hammonds was eighth in the 800-meter run while Gracie Hunt was 12th in the 1,600-meter run.

Piedmont coaches also credited Cassidy Cook and Ben Davis for giving “excellent effort” in very tight competitions.

Overall, both the Piedmont boys and girls were 10th among 18 schools competing.

The Piedmont track teams were coached this spring by Alvin Hawkes and Judy Nelson. Athletic director Jeff Beggs also accompanied the team to Albany.