DyeStat.com – News – Georgia State Meet Recap 2023

GEORGIA STATE MEET RECAP

Speedy Sophomores Maurice Gleaton (10.14/20.81), Sidi Njie (45.46) Put Country On Notice At State Meet, Which Produces Four National Leaders

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

Standout Maurice Gleaton showed why he’s one of the very best prep sprinters in the country this past weekend at the Georgia State Track and Field Championships.

The speedy sophomore from Langton Hughes broke the all-time Georgia state 100 meters record in the prelims when he ran 10.14 at Barron Stadium in Rome, good for US #3. It surpassed Ryan Clark’s 10.18 clocking from 2015.

Gleaton went on to place second in the finals, behind senior Eric Singleton of Alexander (10.35 to 10.37) and then picked up a first-place finish in the 200 (20.81) and was part of the winning 4×100 relay (40.55). His efforts helped guide Langston Hughes to the program’s first state title with 59 points. 

Meanwhile, in the 7A classification, sophomore Sidi Nije of Westlake won the 400 meters in 45.46 in the 400 to break Antonio McKay’s 1982 all-time Georgia best time of 45.84. Njie’s time is also a US#1 and he also ran on the winning  4×100 (40.31) and 4×200 (1:25.40). 

In the field, Brunswick senior Riyon Rankin cleared 7-3.75, a U.S. #1 mark and third all-time in state history to repeat as the 6A high jump champion.  

New Manchester’s Nicolas Crosswhite, a junior, soared an impressive 49-2 in the triple jump and 23-5 in the long jump to win Class golds. 

In the distance events, Marist sophomore Tommy Lathan won the 6A 3,200 (9:12.92) and 1,600 (4:16.55).

In 6A girls, Alexander’s Alisa Gordon jumped a US#1 in the triple jump (41-9.50) and she climbed to No. 4 all-time in Georgia state history. Gordon also won the long jump (18-10.25). Teammate and senior Victoria Teasley claimed the 100 (11.73) and 200 (24.04), guiding Alexander to a second-place finish with 70 points. Woodward Academy ran away with the 6A crown with 89.50 points. 

7A Powder Springs

At McEachern High, the Westlake boys and girls swept the team title for the first time since 2017. The Westlake boys were powered by Njie’s exploits. 

Chris Nelson of South Forsyth beat Njie in an elite 200 final, 20.69 to 20.82. 

Buford ran a US#2 time of 3:11.24 to win the boys 4×400 relay. 

In 7A girls, Marietta freshman Mary Nesmith won the 3,200 (10:51.62), 1,600 (5:02.28), and 800 (2:11.75). 

Buford senior Sydney Harris won the 400 in a US#5 time of 52.83. Harris was also fourth in the 200. 

5A Columbus

It was…