The Boys and Girls track teams competed at Murphy HS this week (4/20) in a conference championship preview that featured the top three track programs in the SMC with Swain, Murphy and Robbinsville among the five teams in attendance. The Maroon Devils turned in dominant performances in both boys and girls, outpacing Murphy 205-128 in the boys competition and by the score of 250.5-147.5 on the girls side. Robbinsville finished 3rd in both divisions.
The Lady Devils set a season best mark in the 4×200 relay while posting the 5th fastest time in the state so far this season with a time of 1:51.41. Team members include Mazie Helpman, Isabella Walker, Amaya Hicks and Sienna Hackshaw. Amaya Hicks moved into 2nd place in the 1A state rankings with a time of 2:29.44 in the 800 meter run. Arizona Blankenship continued her dominance winning the 1600 meters and recording a top 25 time among all classifications in the 3200 meter run.
Kane Jones won the 1600m run with a Personal Best time of 5:07. The Maroon Devils swept the top four positions in the Triple Jump with Matthew Gray winning with a jump of 40’7.5 inches, followed by Dawson Cody (40’5.5), Isaiah Collins and Josh Collins. Gray also won Pole Vault and finished in a three way tie for 1st in High Jump. Isaiah Collins won the discus competition with a personal best throw of 121’6. Kelan McCullough won Long Jump with a mark of 20’4 and finished 2nd in Pole Vault.
The Devils will send a small contingent of runners to AC Reynolds this weekend for the Blue Ridge Classic. They will then be in competition next week as they host the Swain County Invitational at Cherokee High School on Wednesday the 27th. That will be their final tune-up before the Smoky Mountain Conference Championship on May 4th.