OXFORD — Columbus boys track and field has put itself on the map in Northeast Mississippi after taking first place at the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 5A, Region 1 meet on Thursday.
This follows a first place finish at district championships as the Falcons have put together a recipe for success.
“We had a strong showing at field events,” boys coach Lawrence Hill said. “It made the track events less stressful, but we did just as well in those events. … The guys performed very well.”
Altogether, Columbus finished with 160 points in the boys division, winning 10 total events.
Individually, the Falcons won seven events, including Tyrie Sherrod in the 100-meter dash, Tyran Sherrod in the 400-meter dash and triple jump, Khristian Watson in the 110-meter hurdles, 300-meter hurdles and high jump, and Delmere Hudgins in the long jump.
In team track events, Columbus finished first in the 400-meter, 800-meter and 1,600-meter relays.
“This is the first time I’ve ever won regionals as a coach,” Hill said. “I’ve finished second a number of times, so to be in a position to win, I felt accomplished from the fact that I got the kids to see the bigger picture. Every race counts, but it’s about the team. It really opened everyone’s eyes to how important the overall team aspect of track is.”
The Falcons were two points off a clean sweep for both teams, but the girls team finished second at the regional meet, winning five individual events.
Christina Fulton won in the 200-meter dash, Johnasia O’Neal won in the 100-meter hurdles and 300-meter hurdles and Cierra Crusoe placed first in discus and shot put.
Columbus qualifiers now prepare for the Class 5A North State meet in Jackson on May 1.
“I told them that we’ve accomplished a lot this year, but how much do we want to accomplish,” Hill said. “I told them to be greedy about their accomplishments, be intentional about their practices and try to accomplish everything they set out for this s
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