Fort Mill Sweeps 5A Division 2 Track and Field State Championships

COLUMBIA — Fort Mill High School captured both the boys and girls 5A Division 2 track and field state championships Saturday at Richland Northeast High School, with the girls defending their title from a year ago and the boys claiming the first track and field state championship in program history.

Both team titles came down to the final field event of the day. With every running event complete and most field events finished, athletes, coaches and fans watched the girls javelin and boys pole vault as the championships hung in the balance.

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Girls: Yellow Jackets Hold Off West Florence

Fort Mill entered the final event leading West Florence by 14.2 points, with both teams placing two throwers in the javelin and 39 points still on the table. Either team could have claimed the championship with the right finish.

West Florence’s Zofia Wierzbicki finished third in the javelin at 36.52 meters, earning six points for the Knights. It was not enough. Fort Mill secured the team title by 82 points, finishing with 73.2 to West Florence’s 65. Lucy Beckham placed third in the team standings with 55.1 points.

Boys: One Point and One Pole Vault

The boys championship came down to even thinner margins. Westwood led Fort Mill 94 to 88 heading into the pole vault, and the defending power had no competitors in the event. Fort Mill had three state qualifiers.

Jack Allen and Padyn Gossett McDowell tied for fifth place, both clearing 3.65 meters and combining for seven points. Alex Berry added a finish at 3.05 meters. The total was just enough. Fort Mill finished with 95 points to Westwood’s 94, winning by a single point to claim the first boys track and field state championship in school history.

Myrtle Beach took third in the team standings with 42 points. Indian Land and Northwestern tied for fourth with 37 points each.

Fort Mill’s Podium Performers

The Yellow Jackets piled up points on the podium across sprints, distance, jumps, throws and relays. Senior Mia Williams was the most decorated individual athlete of the meet for Fort Mill, capturing two state titles and adding a runner up finish. She won the 100 meter dash in 11.75 seconds, edging West Florence sophomore Kamya Young by 0.07 seconds. She returned to the track for the 200 meter dash and placed fifth in 24.97. In the field, Williams won the triple jump with a mark of 11.80 meters, nearly half a meter ahead of the runner up, and took second in the long jump at 5.51 meters.

The boys distance corps was the engine of the program’s first ever boys championship. Wyatt Gremillion won the 800 meter run in 1:53.64, beating teammate Quinlan O’Toole, who finished second in 1:55.77. Fort Mill swept the top two spots in the event and added a 14th place finish from Connor Demmerle.

Demmerle then turned around and won the 1600 meter run in 4:17.49, leading a four runner Fort Mill showing in the event. Owen Ware was second in 4:19.48, Hudson Haley was fourth in 4:21.81, and senior Finn Leckrone was sixth in 4:34.70. All four scored podium points. Haley, Ware and Leckrone also placed in the top seven of the 3200 meter run, finishing fifth, sixth and seventh respectively.

The Fort Mill boys 4×800 meter relay capped the distance dominance with a winning time of 7:53.73, more than eight seconds clear of runner up Westwood. The boys 4×400 meter relay also delivered a podium effort, finishing second in 3:20.63, just 0.11 seconds behind Westwood.

In the sprints, senior Jahzir McCants scored in three events, placing eighth in the 100 meter dash at 10.95, fifth in the 200 meter dash at 21.82, and sixth in the 400 meter dash at 50.03. Junior Tristan Amico added a seventh place finish in the 400 in 50.40.

The girls distance program produced its own breakthrough. Freshman Lauren Allen finished second in the 1600 meter run in 5:04.62, less than a second behind the winner. The girls 4×800 meter relay won the state title in 9:28.51, edging Greenville by 2.59 seconds.

In the field events, Addison Feinour took second in the discus throw at 36.65 meters, and Kate Marker placed fourth in the shot put at 10.94 meters. On the boys side, Smith Stapleton scored in both throws, finishing seventh in the shot put at 14.99 meters and seventh in the discus at 45.63 meters. Josh Moore took sixth in the triple jump at 13.20 meters.

The pole vault, the event that decided the boys championship, delivered the single most consequential moment of the day. Jack Allen and Padyn Gossett McDowell each cleared 3.65 meters to tie for fifth, combining for seven team points and putting the Yellow Jackets ahead of Westwood for good.

Depth Made the Difference

On a day when every point mattered, depth and determination made the difference for Fort Mill. Every runner, jumper and thrower contributed to the team wins. One second here or a foot there and the outcome would have been different.

The titles capped a record year for Fort Mill head coach Lee Whitaker. He may be the first coach in South Carolina history to lead teams to four state championships in a single school year. Last fall, his boys and girls cross country teams both won their respective state titles. Saturday’s track sweep added two more championship trophies to the case, a feat that may never be matched.

Unified 100 Meter Dash

The state meet also featured the Unified 100 meter dash, sponsored by Special Olympics. The Unified Sports program is dedicated to promoting social inclusion through shared sports training and competition. Unified teams bring together athletes with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team, joined by similar age and ability. The program was inspired by a simple principle: training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding. Having sport in common is one more way that preconceptions and false ideas are swept away.

In the boys race, Zach Walker of Powdersville won in 12.30 seconds, followed by Landon Simmons of Southside and AJ Loveno of Lexington. In the girls race, Jamaria Thomas of Lugoff Elgin won in 14.38, with Charleigh Waters and Erin Lyda of T.L. Hanna placing second and third.

Unified results do not count toward team totals.

Local Team Results

Fort Mill

The Yellow Jackets won both team championships behind balanced contributions across sprints, distance, jumps and field events. Mia Williams produced two individual titles. Wyatt Gremillion and Connor Demmerle delivered distance victories. The boys 4×800 relay and girls 4×800 relay both took first place. The pole vault and javelin corps proved decisive in the final hour.

Girls finishers:

Mia Williams, 1st, 100 meter dash, 11.75
Mia Williams, 5th, 200 meter dash, 24.97
Kaylee Rovenstine, 7th, 800 meter run, 2:23.22
Marlee Cook, 12th, 800 meter run, 2:26.72
Lauren Allen, 2nd, 1600 meter run, 5:04.62
Marlee Cook, 10th, 1600 meter run, 5:18.83
Mia Zook, 9th, 3200 meter run, 11:52.43
Lauren Allen, 12th, 3200 meter run, 12:09.45
Kaelynn Fleming, 11th, 400 meter hurdles, 1:08.98
4×400 meter relay, 14th, 4:12.15
4×800 meter relay, 1st, 9:28.51
Ryan Marsh, 5th, pole vault, 2.90m
Cambell Cahaly, 6th, pole vault, 2.75m
Adriana Lackey, 7th (tie), pole vault, 2.60m
Lucy St. Cressman, 7th (tie), pole vault, 2.60m
Mia Williams, 2nd, long jump, 5.51m
Mia Williams, 1st, triple jump, 11.80m
Kate Marker, 4th, shot put, 10.94m
Addison Feinour, 2nd, discus throw, 36.65m
Jael Burris, 9th, discus throw, 29.15m
Addison Feinour, 9th, javelin throw, 29.34m
Kate Marker, 10th, javelin throw, 27.71m

Boys finishers:

Jahzir McCants, 8th, 100 meter dash, 10.95
Jahzir McCants, 5th, 200 meter dash, 21.82
Jahzir McCants, 6th, 400 meter dash, 50.03
Tristan Amico, 7th, 400 meter dash, 50.40
Grant Dubak, 11th, 400 meter dash, 50.98
Wyatt Gremillion, 1st, 800 meter run, 1:53.64
Quinlan O’Toole, 2nd, 800 meter run, 1:55.77
Connor Demmerle, 14th, 800 meter run, 2:03.54
Connor Demmerle, 1st, 1600 meter run, 4:17.49
Owen Ware, 2nd, 1600 meter run, 4:19.48
Hudson Haley, 4th, 1600 meter run, 4:21.81
Finn Leckrone, 6th, 1600 meter run, 4:34.70
Hudson Haley, 5th, 3200 meter run, 9:47.86
Owen Ware, 6th, 3200 meter run, 9:48.62
Finn Leckrone, 7th, 3200 meter run, 9:48.79
Jordan Walter, 9th, 110 meter hurdles, 15.38
Ashton Privette, 12th, 400 meter hurdles, 58.75
Patrick Gray, 14th, 400 meter hurdles, 1:01.32
4×400 meter relay, 2nd, 3:20.63
4×800 meter relay, 1st, 7:53.73
Michael Tillman, 9th, high jump, 1.85m
Jack Allen, 5th (tie), pole vault, 3.65m
Padyn Gossett McDowell, 5th (tie), pole vault, 3.65m
Alex Berry, 13th (tie), pole vault, 3.05m
Josh Moore, 6th, triple jump, 13.20m
Smith Stapleton, 7th, shot put, 14.99m
Smith Stapleton, 7th, discus throw, 45.63m
Ashton Privette, 13th, javelin throw, 36.50m
Connor Hedrick, 15th, javelin throw, 35.16m

Northwestern

The Trojans delivered consistent scoring across both teams, finishing eighth in the girls standings with 35 points and tied for fourth on the boys side with 37 points. Xavier Wright Meeks led the boys with a victory in the triple jump and a third place finish in the long jump. Grace Harvey paced the girls distance corps with runner up finishes in the 1600 and 3200 meter runs.

Girls finishers:

Maliyah Jones, 12th, 100 meter dash, 12.30
Julia Cherry, 14th, 100 meter dash, 12.39
Grace Harvey, 4th, 1600 meter run, 5:10.70
Grace Harvey, 2nd, 3200 meter run, 11:25.91
Makayla Kirk, 10th, 100 meter hurdles, 15.79
Makayla Kirk, 7th, 400 meter hurdles, 1:07.13
4×100 meter relay, 5th, 48.45
4×400 meter relay, 10th, 4:06.41
4×800 meter relay, 11th, 10:10.96
Jurnee Rainey, 13th (tie), high jump, 1.45m
Kai McClain, 9th, long jump, 5.05m
Addison Werts, 16th, long jump, 4.66m
Addison Werts, 13th, triple jump, 10.19m
Irie Morton, 7th, shot put, 10.55m
Irie Morton, 4th, discus throw, 31.60m
Alexis Nyegaard, 10th, discus throw, 28.31m
Irie Morton, 2nd, javelin throw, 38.93m

Boys finishers:

Xavier Means, 7th, 100 meter dash, 10.95
Kameron Vance, 14th, 100 meter dash, 11.19
Payton Vining, 6th, 200 meter dash, 22.18
Xavier Means, 10th, 200 meter dash, 22.51
Andrew Morton, 2nd, 400 meter hurdles, 54.88
Payton Vining, 15th, 110 meter hurdles, 15.99
Zion Brown, 12th, 110 meter hurdles, 15.57
4×400 meter relay, 11th, 3:33.43
4×800 meter relay, 7th, 8:20.00
Malik Ratliff, 5th, high jump, 1.95m
Bryston Martin, 11th (tie), high jump, 1.80m
Xavier Wright Meeks, 3rd, long jump, 6.70m
Xavier Wright Meeks, 1st, triple jump, 13.94m
Kamerin McFadden, 7th, triple jump, 13.17m
Malachi McCray, 13th, triple jump, 12.55m
Kamerin McFadden, 15th, long jump, 5.57m

Indian Land

The Warriors tied for fourth in the boys team standings with 37 points and placed tenth in the girls standings with 31 points. Tavian Daniels and Ryan Foster anchored the boys with second and fourth place finishes in the 400 meter dash, and the boys 4×400 relay tied for second. Caitlin Lindo led the girls with runner up finishes in the 100 and 400 meter hurdles. Alivia Johnson won the girls discus.

Girls finishers:

Caitlin Lindo, 2nd, 100 meter hurdles, 14.27
Caitlin Lindo, 2nd, 400 meter hurdles, 1:01.91
4×400 meter relay, 4th, 4:00.85
4×800 meter relay, 9th, 9:59.17
Aubrea Boncore, 15th, 800 meter run, 2:30.61
Alivia Johnson, 1st, discus throw, 37.52m

Boys finishers:

Tavian Daniels, 2nd, 400 meter dash, 48.50
Ryan Foster, 4th, 400 meter dash, 48.98
4×400 meter relay, 2nd (tie), 3:20.63
4×800 meter relay, 11th, 8:33.46
Sequel Patterson, 2nd, high jump, 2.05m
Jabez Felters, 6th, high jump, 1.85m
Kenneth Wilson III, 5th, long jump, 6.45m
Curtis Sullivan, 6th, shot put, 15.26m
Kent Perry, 12th, shot put, 14.34m
Alexander Syfert, 12th, javelin throw, 36.72m

Nation Ford

The Falcons placed 13th in the girls team standings with 27.5 points and 17th in the boys standings with 18 points. The girls 4×400 relay placed second to anchor the team scoring, and the girls 4×100 relay finished as runner up. Robert Saddler led the boys with a fifth place finish in the 800 meter run.

Girls finishers:

Brianna Watkins, 13th, 100 meter dash, 12.35
Brianna Watkins, 6th, 200 meter dash, 24.99
Madison Brailsford, 7th, 400 meter dash, 59.54
Lylah Buck, 8th, 400 meter hurdles, 1:07.41
Ariah Heard, 15th, 400 meter hurdles, 1:13.53
4×100 meter relay, 2nd, 47.85
4×400 meter relay, 2nd, 3:58.54
4×800 meter relay, 12th, 10:12.90
Addison Boddie, 6th (tie), high jump, 1.50m
Katelyn McFadden, 10th, high jump, 1.50m
Kyra Sonneborn, 6th, shot put, 10.65m

Boys finishers:

Logan Thames, 3rd, 400 meter dash, 48.74
Robert Saddler, 5th, 800 meter run, 1:57.78
4×100 meter relay, 6th, 43.08
Anderson Corbett, 10th (tie), long jump, 6.12m
Anderson Corbett, 9th, triple jump, 13.01m
Michael Mielke Jr., 5th, shot put, 15.33m
Michael Mielke Jr., 8th, discus throw, 45.43m

Catawba Ridge

The Copperheads placed 17th in the girls team standings with 21 points and 15th in the boys standings with 21 points. Isabella Cardozo won the girls 800 meter run, leading a balanced effort across the team. Ryan Pierson and Lincoln Smith both placed in the boys distance races.

Girls finishers: