Freshman Sophie Handel said she can’t wait to compete in the Georgia AAAAA state track championships after qualifying in the West Track Sectionals, which were held at Panther Stadium April 27.

     “I am very excited to go, especially with Hailey and Alexis, because we have so much fun together,” said Handel, who qualified in the 800-meter race with a new personal record of 2:22.32.

     Junior Hailey Gollnick, who qualified in the one- and two-mile races, and freshman Alexis Farley, who qualified in the triple jump and 300-meter hurdles, will also be competing with Handel at state, which will be held May 9-11 at Hugh Mills Stadium in Albany.

     “I think our girls will do well at state,” head coach Chad Walker said. “They all have a very good chance of placing in the top eight” in each of their events.

     The boys who qualified at sectionals  for state are junior James Adams in the 800-meter race, senior Richard Berthold in pole vault, sophomore Taylor Brunskole in the 110- and 300-meter hurdles, sophomore Cody Clements in the high jump, and freshman Daniel Roberts in the 110-meter hurdles and triple jump.

    “My races went really well,,” Brunskole said.  “I just tried to keep up with the guy in first.  It is going to be a lot of fun because there are so many more people going this year compared to last year.”  Only two boys qualified last year.

    The boys’  AAAAA state championship will be held at Jefferson High School in Jefferson tomorrow ay through Saturday.

    “All these guys have done so well all year,” Walker said. “It is great to be able to see so many go on to compete at state.”