Senior Zaili Gantt practices the long jump and triple jump in Billy Henderson Stadium on May 3. The 12 Clarke Central High School track and field athletes who qualified for the State Sectionals, which will take place on May 7, have been preparing for their specific events. “For big meets, some of our athletes who are competing in multiple events over those days, we give them ice baths and then also just give them rest,” head track and field coach Justin Jones said. “That’s probably one of the things we do as a team. (We) try to work hard during the week, but 48 hours to 24 hours within competition time, (we try) to get as much rest as possible.” Photo by Emily Couch
Twelve CCHS track and field team members will participate in the State Sectionals meet on May 7.
After having their 2020-21 season cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Clarke Central High School track and field team will compete in the 5AAAAA State Sectionals on May 7. The 12 athletes that qualified will be traveling to the Georgia High School Association Region 8 sectionals at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia.
Lena Cook, Zaili Gantt, Beck Wolf-Hardy, Spencer Frye, Breyanna Williams, Xzaria Hanks, Na’Khia Jordan, Ty’Asia Brown, Max Carlson, Luke Schliekelman, Moses Hutcheson and Eliu Flores all qualified for the Sectionals in a variety of events after placing in the top four at the region meet. Head track and field coach Justin Jones is preparing these athletes for the challenging meet ahead.
“Meet week, we usually try to get at least two good workouts during the week. We scale back (pressure on the athletes), 48 hours to 24 hours within our competition time,” Jones said. “A lot of times, (practice is) just fine tuning things, getting ready for our meets.”
For her third year attending the State Sectionals, senior Zaili Gantt is working on her technique in preparation for the triple jump and long jump events she will compete in at the meet.
“We’ve been doing a lot more specific things at practice as opposed to just general conditioning,” Gantt said. “I’m a triple jumper and a long jumper, so I’ve been doing more bounding to strengthen my legs and things like that.”
An infographic shows the names of track and field athletes who will proceed to the state level of competition. Only students who place fourth or above in their respective events proceeded to state level. Graphic by Anna Shaikun
As a veteran of the CCHS track and field team, Gantt has experienced the stress of wanting to compete in the State Sectionals.
“It feels like it’s different (because) I feel like there’s a little bit more pressure,” Gantt said. “Not that anyone else is putting pressure on me, but pressure on myself because this is my senior year so I would like to go to state my senior year.”
As the season comes to an end, Jones hopes his team takes away important lessons and experiences from the last few races and meets.
“I just hope our athletes learn from the experience that they had. (They) want to come out and continue to work hard to improve because track and field is all about breaking your personal records,” Jones said. “However, we’re gonna be intrinsically motivated. I think that’s something that’s gonna be big for us moving forward, that our inexperienced and (younger) athletes see what it takes to be successful.”
