Walton Captures First Track And Field Title

At the girls state track and field championships this weekend in Albany, Walton (AAAAA), Redan (AAAA), Monroe-Albany (AAA), GAC (AA) and Athens Christian (A) won state championships.

In the state's largest classification, the Raiders edged ML King 48-47, as Sydney Griffin won the 100-meter hurdles while Tayla Carter won the 100-meter dash. A balanced performance from the rest of the Walton squad helped the Raiders overcome victories by the Lions in the 200-meter dash, 400-meter dash, 4x100-meter relay and 4x400-meter relay. Felicia Brown was a part of all four M.L. King wins.

It is Walton's first track and field title ever.

Redan won its second girls championship and first since 2005, all-the-while ending a stretch of five years in which Southwest DeKalb had won four titles.

Javianne Oliver won the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes as Monroe-Albany won the Class AAA title. It is the Tornadoes' fourth straight state title and seventh since 2001. Monroe became the first team in a classification above Class A to win four straight.

In Class AA GAC won its third girls state title, all since 2005. The Spartans were led by Maleika Slayton who won the 100- and 400-meter dashes while also having a hand in helping GAC sweep the 100- and 400-meter relays.

Athens Christian won its third straight girls state championship. Destiny Jenkins won the 800-meter while Mary Echols won both the 100- and 300-meter hurdles. Echols also ran a leg of the Eagles' winning 100- and 400-meter relay teams.