Piedmont Tracksters Qualify for State

Several members of the Piedmont Academy track program have qualified for the upcoming state meet in Albany.

The Piedmont athletes qualified during the recent Region 1-AA meet hosted by Gatewood in Eatonon.

Wyley Deleza won the region championship in the high school while Austin Mitcham was runner-up in the 110-meter hurdles.

Jacob Russell threw a career best in the shot put to take third place at region. Dylan Collins also finished third in the 200-meter dash.
{{more}}
Robyn Estes was the lone Lady Cougar to qualify for state as she finished fourth in the 3,200-meter run and fifth in the 1,600-meter run.

Dakota Collins could compete in state as the 400-meter dash finished in a photo finish and Collins and another runner were vying for fourth place.

The Piedmont athletes who participated in the region meet included:

•Danielle Morgan, fifth in both the 100 and 200-meter races.

•Jerica Jenkins, sixth in the 100-meter dash.

•Meg Eckerle, fifth in the 400-meter run.

•Girls 4 x 100 team of Heather Tyler, Jenkins, Eckerle, and Amanda Hauther, fifth.

•Will Eckerle, sixth, 800-meter run.

•Hugo McCoy, ran in the 200.

•Wade Roberts, competed in the long jump and 800-meter run.

•Hayden Lewis, sixth in the shot put.

•Tyler, ran the 200-meter dash for the girls team.

•Tyler Cullum, 400-meter dash

•Boys 4 x 400 relay team, fifth.

Other schools that participated were Brentwood, Nathanael Greene, Strong Rock Christian and Community Christian School.

The Cougars and Lady Cougars did well considering the number of members on the track team, coach Beau Johnson said. Brentwood School of Sandersville won both the boys and girls region track championship for 2009.

“I am really proud of our Cougars and Lady Cougars who ran track this season,” Johnson said.

Piedmont coach Kenny Roberts was head field judge, long jump and triple jump judge as well as an official timer.

Coach Roberts also handed out the region plaques and trophies as region secretary. Piedmont athletic director Greg Kerbow also helped at the meet by taking up gate proceeds and helping the official scorer tabulate scores.

Coach Johnson served as referee of the meet, a member of the Appeals Committee, shot put judge and as an official timer.

“Without the help of all the coaches in the region the meet would not have been possible,” Johnson said. “I would like to personally thank the students and coaches who helped the region meet run smoothly.”

Also helping with the meet were Piedmont students Amanda Peterson, Amanda Jackson, Beth Hamilton, Tyler Landress, Andy Hall and Josh Stevenson.

“The 2009 region track meet was a success,” Johnson said. “Our athletes are looking forward to the state meet this weekend. We are always ready for a great weekend of track, good meals and putt putt.”