HOPKINS – Blythewood High School’s defending girls’ 5A Track and Field Champions opened the 2024 season the way the closed the last: on top.
The Bengal girls took first place out of 30 teams in Saturday’s Diamond Hornets Invitational at Lower Richland High School, and they did so decisively… scoring 155 points. Chapin finished in second place with 92 points, and Ridge View finished third with 47.
First place finishers on the day were Olivia Taylor (400m dash, 56.85), Aminah Rhone (400m hurdles, 1:04.29). Amiya Fluker (shot put 34-0.25) and the 4x400m and 4x800m relay teams. Peyton Hightower, Mallorie Hogue, Madison Ross and Olivia Taylor ran in the 4×400 relay; Hayley Hightower, Anna Kelly, Lyrica Fludd and India Williams ran in the 4x800m relay.
Other top-five finishers on the day were Olivia Taylor (2nd in long jump at 16-11.5); Dara Bolt (2nd in triple jump at 34-4.5); Madison Brown (2nd in discus at 102-2.5); Keaundrea Bateman (2nd in javelin at 100-5.5); Anna Kelly (2nd in 3200m run at 11:32.06); Aminah Rhone (2nd in 100m hurdles at 14.95); Hannah Hardee (3rd in high jump at 4-7); Kennedy Anderson (3rd in high jump at 4-7); Zion Harvey (3rd in 100m dash at 12.44 and 3rd in 200m dash at 25.51); Patience Lisbon (3rd in 400m hurdles at 1:08.25; 4th in 100m hurdles at 15.85; 5th in 200m dash at 25.98); Madison Ross (4th in 400m hurdles at 1:08.36); and Hayley Hightower (5th in 800m run at 2:28.88).
Anna Kelly’s 11:32.06 finish in the 3200m run broke the school record (also set by Kelly). Keaundrea Bateman also broke her own record in the javelin throw with her 100-5’ throw for a new school record.
The boys team finished in third place out of 30 teams with a score of 67. Ridge View took first with 125 points; Dreher finished second with 68 points.
Boys’ top-five finishers were Spencer Shealy (2nd in 3200m run at 9:57.35 and 3rd in 1600m run at 4.26.55); Santana Wright (2nd in Discus at 144-7.75); Harrison Knight (3rde in Discus at 142-0.25); Dylan Horne (3rd in shot put at 45-10.75); Deangelo Brooks (3rd in 100m dash at 10.91); and Tyler Stephens (5th in Triple Jump at 40-5).
The boys relay teams all finished in the top four. The 4×800 relay team of Eureka Washington, Brennen Cuffie, Christopher O’Berry and Graysen Manning finished second at 8:59.71. The 4×100 relay team, made up of Trevon Williams, Deangelo Brooks, Jaylan Grant and Dillon Hutcherson finished third at 43.35. Zaire Collins, Deangelo Brooks, Larry Davis and Ashton Pouncie finished at 3:34.56 for fourth place in the 4x400m relay.
Blythewood was scheduled to compete at Fort Mill on Wednesday, but results were not available by The Voice’s press deadline. They will compete again on March 16 at The Clash of the Carolina’s and host a meet at home against Clover on March 20.
