AHS Men’s Track Wins Conference, 1A Midwest Regional; Women Place 2nd/4th
All season long, Coach Bernard Henry has emphasized to the Albemarle track team that they are just that – a TEAM. In a sport that often has a hyper-focus on individual accomplishments – and in which individual championships at the conference, regional, and state levels can be won – the Bulldogs men’s track team has had an impressive string of team success over the past couple of weeks.
Two weeks ago the Bulldogs won the Yadkin Valley Conference Meet at home – and the girls team placed second. Keep in mind that the Yadkin Valley Conference is one of a handful of conferences in North Carolina that are split between two classifications – there are 1A schools and 2A schools in the conference. To be crowned champions, the Bulldogs had to defeat both 1A and 2A schools. 2A schools like Jay M. Robinson, which was 3A not long ago, as well as Mount Pleasant and North Stanly all placed behind the Bulldog men. And the girls team finished second only to Union Academy, a fellow 1A school, but a charter school with more control over their classification numbers, among other things.
The success of the AHS men’s and women’s track teams at the conference meet was impressive and important – they came together as teams to show out in front of the home crowd despite the advantages some of their opposition could rely upon.
Eight days after winning (men) and placing second (women) in the Yadkin Valley Conference Meet, the ‘Dogs had an equally strong showing at the NCHSAA 1A Midwest Regional. The boys won the meet, placing first over North Rowan. The girls also had a strong showing, finishing 4th out of 14 total teams.
From the men’s team, 10 total athletes qualified for state, with many qualifying in multiple events, and from the women’s team 7 total athletes qualified, with many qualifying in multiple events.
The total list is here:
AHS Men State Qualifiers:
100m: Dre Davis
110m Hurdles: Slay Jackson
300m Hurdles: CJ Ellis; Slay Jackson
High Jump: Ali Currie
Long Jump: Ali Currie
Triple Jump: Ali Currie; Jaliq McRae
4x100m Relay:
Jaylen Pinkney, Jaliq McRae, CJ Ellis, Dre Davis (Isaiah Jones/Slay Jackson, alternates)
4x200m Relay:
Jaylen Pinkney, CJ Ellis, Slay Jackson, Dre Davis (Vincent Gregory/Jason Wall, alternates)
4x400m Relay:
CJ Ellis, Isaiah Medley, Reyli Alvarez, Vincent Gregory (Isaiah Jones/Nyzir Garner, alternates)
AHS Women State Qualifiers:
100m Hurdles: Anautica Meaders
100m: Amari Baldwin
200m: Amari Baldwin
300m Hurdles: Aryjha Baldwin
400m: Abigail Clayton
Long Jump: Mary Grace Krol
Triple Jump: Amari Baldwin
4x100m Relay:
Anautica Meaders, Abigail Clayton, Aryjha Baldwin, Amari Baldwin (Isia Sturdivant/Diamond Smith, alternates)
4x200m Relay:
Mary Grace Krol, Anautica Meaders, Diamond Smith, Aryjha Baldwin (Abigail Clayton/Tahmya Sellers, alternates)
The Bulldogs will compete for state titles, both individually and as teams, on Saturday, May 21st.
Stay tuned for information on how you can follow along.
