RTCA Boys Win State, Girls Runner-Up
Robert Toombs Christian Academy's varsity boys and girls track teams competed at the GISA State Meet hosted by Strong Rock Christian Academy. The varsity girls fell short at State but finished strong with a State Runner Up trophy. The varsity boys put together three solid days to bring home the AA State Championship by one point.
The Crusaders were down by two points going into the 200m and senior Jackson Newton and sophomore Aaron Hankerson took home first and third place which pushed the Crusaders to a five-point lead going into the last race. The Crusaders had to finish fifth place or higher to claim the State Championship, and they did just that. The Lady Crusaders and Crusaders had several athletes who broke their personal record and also set a new State record. Freshman Kylie Acosta won the State Championship in triple jump, jumping 33 feet and 11 inches. Junior Nicole Acosta won the State Championship in the 300m hurdles with a time of 48.21. Junior JaShaun Powell won and set a new state record in the triple jump with a record of 44 feet and 4 inches. Sophomore Aaron Hanker- continued from page
son won State in the 100m and 200m dash. Hankerson also set the new State record in the 100m with a 10.87 time.
Head Track Coach, Jacob Wilkinson, said, 'Any time you can leave a meet with two trophies and compete the way we did, you can't help but be proud of these athletes. The majority of these athletes play other spring sports but here at State you could see their drive and determination to get that trophy. I love our school and students, and I am so proud to finish the season with a State Championship and Runner Up.'
Girls
Kylie Acosta was 1st in the triple jump, finished 3rd in the high jump, and was 6th in the 200m dash. Nicole Acosta finished 1st in the 300m hurdles and was 3rd in the 100m hurdles. Mehkia Bell took 1st in the 100m dash, 3rd in the long jump, and was 7th in the 200m.
Mary-Claire Wolfe placed 2nd in the 300m hurdles, was 4th in the 100m hurdles, and was 4th in the pole vault. Rachel Threlkeld took 3rd in the pole vault and was 6th in the triple jump. Railee Thomas took 4th in the shot put. Arlie Gooden was 4th in the 800m and 5th in the 400m. Autumn Moore was 6th in the high jump, and Mandy Johnson was 7th in the discus.
The girls 4x100m relay team of Graham, Acosta, Wolfe, and Acosta placed 3rd. The team of Threlkeld, Dismuke, Gooden, and Bell placed 5th. The girls 4x400m team of Graham, Acosta, Acosta, and Gooden placed 2nd, and the team of Dismuke, Wimberly, Threlkeld, and Wolfe placed 8th.
Boys
Aaron Hankerson finished 1st in the 100m and 200m dashes, and was 4th in the high jump. Jashaun Powell tok 1st in the triple jump, 5th in the long jump, and was 7th in the 100m dash. MK McBride finished 2nd in the long jump and was 3rd in the triple jump. Jackson Newton took 3rd in the 200m. Tyler Buggs was 4th in the shot put. Tripp Durden was 5th in the 400m, and TJ Stanley was 7th in the 400m and 7th in the shot put. Cam Williams was 7th in the discus, Cayden Nance was 7th in the pole vault, and Andrew Tuck was 8th in the 800m. The 4x100m relay team of Durden, Powell, Stanley, and Hankerson placed 2nd, and the 4x400m relay team of Tuck, Powell, Stanley, and Durden placed 5th.
RTCA Girls Track Team – (L to R): Railee Thomas, Mary-Claire Wolfe, Ellie Graham, Nicole Acosta; (2nd Row): Coach Mary Ann Kimmons, Emmie Davis, Samantha Greenhouse, Hannah Williams, Rachel Threlkeld, Arlie Gooden, Kylie Acosta, Marlie Dismuke, Coach Jacob Wilkinson; (Back): Ella Newton, Maddie Joyner, Mehkia Bell, Bree Wimberly, and Madaline Wolfe.
