Beaufort sends 11 individuals to AAAA state track meet
By David Shelton
Senior Writer
Beaufort – Beaufort High has a long, rich tradition in the sport of track and field. The program has won several state championships, mostly under coach Herbert Glaze, and individual athletes from the program have competed very well against the top athletes in the state.
Once again this spring, Beaufort competed at a high level, participating in more than 10 meets around the state. Through region and Lower State qualifiers, 11 Beaufort athletes worked their way to the Class AAA state track and field meet in mid-May.
In the region 7-AAAA meet, Beaufort produced several medal winners (top 3) in assorted events. Hurdler Eric Smart won two gold medals, taking first in the 110 and 400 meter hurdles. Smart advanced to the state meet in both events, finishing third in the state finals in both events.
Caleb Stephan earned second in the 400 hurdles at the region meet and duplicated that effort in the state meet.
Amare Patterson won the region titles in the 100 and 200 meter dashes. He placed second in the 200 at the state meet and was sixth in the 100.
Edward Green qualified for the state finals in the 200 and 400 dash, taking 11th in the 200 and 13th in the 400. Antonio McKnight finished 16th in the 400 hurdles and Elias Johnson finished 13th in the triple jump. Johnson finished third in the long jump and third in the triple jump at the region meet.
From the girls team, Divaria Smith won the region title in the shot put. Amir Harrison was second in the javelin in the region meet Lanique Simmons was the region champ in the 100 hurdles and the 400 hurdles. Ahmyna Belk won the triple jump in the region meet and finished second in the long jump.
Elle Borgan was third in the javelin at the region meet and parlayed that into a seventh-place finish in the state meet.
Beaufort’s baseball and softball teams qualified for the AAAA Lower State playoffs. The baseball finished third in the region and the softball team was the region runner-up.
The baseball team was led by a strong group of seniors, including Hudson Mullen, Reece Mullen, Gunner Hollingsworth, Will Herron, Carter Womack, Dylan Rast and Samari Bonds. All were key contributors.
Juniors Jayden Davis, Sellers Lynn and Tanner Altman also were contributors and will be key leaders next season.
Adalyn Johnson was a key leader in softball. She batted over .400 and worked 107 innings inside the pitching circle. Cayla Adkins and Alayah Aiken also hit over .300 for the season.
