News & Announcements
Season Preview: Track & Field
The 2023 Track & Field season opens up officially this week, as both the varsity and middle school programs are expecting to have great seasons.
Varsity
The Lady Indians are coming off a season in which they finished 3rd in the Area and 14th at the State Championships, while the Indians were 6th at Area and 26th at state.
The boys will be led by such athletes as senior Walker Bailey (long distance), junior Sam Ketch (thrower), junior Tyler Brown (hurdles/vault), senior Nana Amankwah (sprints, triple jump), junior Nnamdi Ezuni (relays/jumps), and junior Blair Moore (relays/jumps).
Ketch, a 7th-place finisher last year at state in shot put, is the team captain for the Indians. The relay teams in the 4x100 and 4x800 placed at state for the boys as well, and the 4x200 relay group set a school record last season.
"Bailey plans to have a state presence this season, as does Ketch, Brown, and Amankwah," says coach Scott Neal. "Ezunu joins veteran state qualifier Moore to help with relays and horizontal jumps. The boys hope to have a strong presence in Region 8-A and a state presence as well while creating a significant culture of life skills and camaraderie."
The Lady Indians return state qualifiers such as juniors Molly Mitchell (800/relays), Dani Prince (hurdles/relays), and Julianne Shirley (high jump/sprints/relays). That trio are the team captains for the 2023 season, and will be crucial to the season's success for TFS.
The girls last year had Macy Murdock finishing at runner-up in the 300 MH and fourth in 100 MH. She's now off to Berry College, but Shirley (11th in high jump and qualifier in 400) and the girls relay teams of the 4x200, 4x400, and 4x800 will once again be relied upon. In 2022, the team set a school record in the 4x200 relay.
"Mitchell, Prince, and Shirley - all team captains - provide significant leadership and distinct competitiveness to a team including Jace Ibemere (jumps and sprints), Kailyn Neal (distance), Sofia Rueda (hurdles and relays), and newcomer Sara Bailey (mid distance/relays)," adds Neal. "The girls hope to break various school records along the way to a state presence while being incredible teammates!"
The varsity teams open the season on March 11 at the Bo James Invite at Rabun County.
PROGRAM HISTORY/RECORDS: BOYS | GIRLS
PRE-ORDER TEAM/INDIVIDUAL PHOTOS
Middle School
The TFS middle school track and field teams had great success last season that ended in Tri-State Championships for both the girls and boys. For the boys and girls, it marked the 10th Tri-State title each since 2011.
The girls roster includes returning talents Delaney Johnson (distance), Linda White (distance), Megan Prince (sprints), and Ca'Rin Swinton (sprints).
"The girls will be led by veterans Johnson, White, Prince, and Swinton, along with newcomer Mary Kate Ball," says Neal. "We look forward to a significant season highlighted with strong leadership, a competitive spirit, and fun!"
The boys will feature a blend of veteran returners and eager newcomers.
"The boys will be led by newcomer Brian Neely (sprints and jumps), Gavin Simmons and Teagan Penland (distance), Body Irvin and Wyatt Fountain (sprints), multi-eventer Ethan Phasavang, and thrower Ethan Williams," states Neal. "Team leadership is strong, as is a focused mindset to be one's best while being a GREAT teammate!"
The middle school teams open the season on March 7 at Hebron Christian.