Demopolis track races past the competition at sectionals

Demopolis track races past the competition at sectionals

This weekend the Demopolis Track and Field team traveled to Mobile to compete in the Class 5A, Section 1 meet in an effort to advance to the 5A State Championships. With more than 10 other teams competing for the same goal, Demopolis still prevailed by advancing 20 athletes in 17 different events to the championship meet.

The weekend of success began on Friday with Jenson Hammons placing fifth in the 1600-meter run. It continued with a common trend over the course of the weekend for both the girls and boys advancing in the same event. Mandrell Rembert placed first in the 400-meter dash to advance to the state meet along with Kamryn Harris who placed fifth in the girls division of the 400 meter dash. Ashleigh Ivory placed first and Shy’Shawna Smith placed fourth in the 200-meter dash to move on to the 5A state meet along with Darius Williams placing third. In the 5A girls 100-meter hurdles, Ivory picked up another first place with Yasmein Rainey placing fifth. James Jones closed out the individual running events placing fourth in the 800-meter dash.

The Demopolis Tigers also had a successful weekend in relay events. The two-time state champion 4×100 team featuring Ivory, Smith, Nykeria Grayer and Rainey picked up yet another first place. Rembert, Jones, Torrence Edwards and Tyler Sams took first place in the 4×800 meter relay and third place in the 4×400 meter relay, advancing to state in both races. The girls 4×800 relay team featuring Gracie Boykin, Shacorie Cockrell, Shonedra Richardson and Amindy Mullen picked up third place, advancing with the girls 4×800 relay team that also featured Boykin, Richardson and Cockrell along with Harris. That quartet placed fourth.

Not only did Demopolis dominate in running, those competing in field events held their own also. Placing in three events, Aireka Riggs picked up second place in discus, fourth place in shot put, and fifth place in in javelin. Dezmarie Jones was right behind, placing fifth in discus and second in shot put, Teneisha Roberson also closed out for the girls, placing fifth in shot put. Alton Rowser and Chris Williams also advanced for the boys in shot put with Rowser placing fourth and Williams placing fifth.

Ivory also set a personal record in long jump, placing first and being awarded the 5A, Section 1 MVP award.

As a team, Demopolis girls placed second and the Demopolis boys placed fourth. Those competitors listed above all qualify for the 5A State Championship held May 3-5 in Gulf Shores, Alabama.