James Island track program runs to region titles
James Island – In one of the most competitive region track and field meets ever, the James Island boys and girls track teams came away with region titles at the region 7-AAAA meet, held at Cane Bay High on May 4.
Next up for the teams is the Lower State qualifier, followed by the state championship meet in mid-May. By all accounts, James Island will be a contender for AAAA state titles.
The girls team used great depth and scoring balance to win with 229 points, ahead of runner-up Lucy Beckham’s 189 points.
Winning region titles as individuals were Hannah Vroon (1600, 3200), Avery Belk (400, 800), and Naadia Rampersant (long jump, triple jump). Now comes the depth.
Andrea Duncan was second in the 100 and third in the 200. Rylind Ingram was fourth in the 100 and fifth in the 200 while Rampersant was second in the 200. Ivy Christo was third in the 800, Alice Taylor was fourth in the 800 and second in the 1600, Kirra Borg was second in the 3200 and Chloe Gilbert was third in the 3200. Caroline Osborn was third in the 1600.
Skylar Singleton earned second-place finishes in the discus and shot put while Emily Victor scored with a third in the discus and a fourth in the shot put. Olivia Morris was fourth in the javelin and fourth in the discus.
The girls also won region titles in the 4x100 and 4x400 relays.
The boys race for the trophy was even closer. James Island won with 157.50 points, with Lucy Beckham scoring 151 points and Hilton Head tallying 149.50 points.
As expected, James Island came up huge in the throws. Mangum Chestnut was first in the discus and second in the shot put. Hendrix Beran was first in the javelin, second in the discus, and third in the shot put. Jon Garrett finished third in the discus and Maverick Chestnut was third in the javelin and fourth in the shot put.
Luke Lasher won the pole vault with Garrett Hill taking third. Conrad Linhart was second in the high jump and fourth in the long jump, while Christian Heyward was third in the triple jump. Jackson Pearce ran to a third-place finish in the 3200 meter run and Campbell Fennell was third in the 100 meter hurdles.
James Island’s baseball, softball and soccer teams are making a strong playoff push as well.
The boys soccer team reached the AAAA Lower State finals against Lucy Beckham in a game played on May 6. Same for the girls team, which also matched up with Lucy Beckham in the Lower State finals on May 7. The state championships are set for May 10-11 in Columbia.
The baseball team has won its first three playoff games in the AAAA Lower State bracket, coming from behind in late wins over Hartsville and West Florence.
The softball team won its first two playoff games before a May 4 loss to Hartsville. The Trojans faced an elimination game on May 7.
Senior catcher Reagan Wheatley has put together a huge season, hitting .589 with seven homers and 35 RBI. She blasted two dingers in a playoff win over Westwood.
