Athletics News

Varsity girls track and field team shines at state meet

To complete a successful season, the Tallulah Falls School varsity girls track and field team finished seventh of 30 scoring Class A ­Private teams with 34.5 points, one more point than virtually seeded and tying the highest TFS girls state place of 2002, yet with double the points.

Sophomore Gaby Ajibade of Lawrenceville scored 12 points on the field events Friday by placing third in both the triple jump (34’ 5 3⁄4) and long jump (17’ 1⁄2) while at the same time sophomore Anna Davis of Clarkesville tied her PR/school record 9’ 0" pole vault to place sixth.

Junior Sydney Porter of Lawrenceville tied for 6th in the high jump (4’ 8"). Davis placed fourth in the 400 meters with a PR 59.78 (No. 2 TFS Legacy List) while team mate junior Sunni Brett of Cornelia ran an inspired 61.03 PR (No. 3 TFS Legacy List) to place one notch behind (and two places ahead of her seeded spot) for five team points.

According to Athletic Director Scott Neal, Davis was so depleted after the 400 meters, it took more two hours to partially recover for the 300 meter hurdles. She placed third, as seeded, in the barrier race to score six more team points. Only 30 minutes later and running completely exhausted, Davis ran a 60.6 anchor leg on the as­seeded 7th place 4x4 relay (4:22.71), which also comprised of freshman Sydney Spivey of Cornelia, Perry Gresham of Clarkesville and Sunni Brett. This 4x4 team was within two tenths of a second of their school record and was the first TFS girl relay team to make it to the state finals, Neal said.

The girls state meet has been held in Albany for more than 30 years and each year has its own elite performances, Neal said.

“Whether sprints, hurdles, jumps, throws, or distance, Georgia produces incredible performers, the competition is stiff, and the opportunities for success or failure are quite memorable. Every state meet the weather, injury, illness, fatigue, baton, or any other incident creates havoc. Nothing is for certain. Nothing can be taken for granted. Success has to be earned on that day at that time, he said.

“Our girls are determined to bring home a state trophy (given to the top four teams) and see this seventh place performance as the next step,” Neal said. “They know it takes more girls working smart together, for each other and for a purpose, and they remain tenacious that ‘The Light in the Mountains’ shine brightly.”