Track and Field Warriors Dash to the Finish Line

(photo courtesy of MVP Photo Concepts)

The Walnut Grove High School Track and Field runners stood fast against Collins Hill, Johnson, Loganville, Rockdale, and South Gwinnett high school on Thursday, February, 29.​
​by Arynn Clayton

(photo courtesy of Terrance Barimah)

​The Walnut Grove High School Track and Field runners stood fast against Collins Hill, Johnson, Loganville, Rockdale, and South Gwinnett high school on Thursday, February, 29. Coaches and players give their feedback and thoughts on the first meet of their season. 

Last Thursday, the Warrior Track and Field team had their first meet and came out with many big wins overall. Three of the boys wins included the 100 Meter Dash, 200 Meter Dash, and 4x100 Meter Relay Finals. The girls came out with winning the 1600 Meter Run, 100 Meter Dash, and 300 Meter Hurdles. 

McKenna Parker, winner of the 1600 Meter Run, believes that she prepared very well for the upcoming challenge she was to face. With not only her feet racing to the finish line, her thoughts were a bit quicker. “My main thought was to pick up the pace and my only focus was to get in front of the girl in front of me,” she said.

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(photo by Timbrazia Allen)

According to Coach Carrafa, it was a pretty late night, and with the cold settling in, everyone else was hoping the event would be wrapped up quickly. However, like Elsa, the cold didn’t seem to bother Jonah Peters as he finished off strong in both the 100 and 200 Meter Dash. “I feel like I did a good job of preparing myself the night before,” Jonah says that his main key to success is to not overthink and be quick to continue the race.

Now the Track and Field Coaches, Coach Abner and Coach Carrafa, believe that though all of their players made them proud, a few of them really shined bright. Coach Abner says, “I would say Jonah Peters did very well in the 200 and so did Zoey Vernon,  McKenna Parker, and Brent Chay.”

Two of these athletes have now set a school record for triple jump. Zoey Vernon and Brent Chay have now set new records of 43-9 and 35-7 (respectively) reaching above and beyond, thus setting themselves 2nd overall in state rankings. 

Though Thursday’s meet was the team's first event of the season, they still managed to come out with multiple wins against other competing schools. These wins let it be known that the Warriors will continue to expand their winning track record all season. 

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**Photos courtesy of MVP Photo Concepts