Benjamin, Corley Win Region Track

Zach Benjamin helped lead the Piedmont Academy boys track team at the Region 1-A meet last week in Macon.

Benjamin won the 100-meter dash (11.2) and the 200-meter dash (22.6) and will compete at the GISA Class AA state meet in Albany later this week.

Austin Corley also won region in the shot put with a meet best throw of 40-6.

The 4×100-meter relay team of Peter Lawson, Hunter Clark, Nick Dimsdale and Benjamin was third (46.6) and will also run at state.

{{more}}

“We were pleased with how we did at region,” said Piedmont coach Rhett Farmer. “It was not a real surprise that Zach won the 100 and 200. We were a little disappointed our 4×400-meter relay team did not qualify for state. They had to run in the slower heat and while they won it, the team’s time was fifth overall.”

Farmer said he believed going into region that Corley could be a contender for the championship in the shot put and the senior delivered.

The Lady Cougars were unable to qualify any team members for state, but Farmer noted most of the athletes were in their first or second year of competing.

“Everyone gave a great effort at region,” the coach said.

After winning the state title in the 200-meter a year ago, Benjamin is hoping for multiple state championships this spring.

“We haven’t heard about a lot of times,” Farmer said. “We will try and look at what other athletes are doing. Other schools may have some new runners this spring. We do know Zach is running some of his fastest times ever.”

Benjamin, who has now three consecutive region titles in the 100 and two in a row for the 200, missed the “High Point Athlete” honor by one point at the 1-AA competition.

Daniel Adams of Brentwood is expected to also be a contender in the individual events Benjamin competes in.

Justin Wilson just missed qualifying for state for Piedmont as he was fifth in the shot put. Overall, the Piedmont boys were fifth at region.

Gaven Edge and Bobby Mitchell will also travel to Albany as alternates for the state meet.