The GAC Varsity Track and Field program once again showcased the strength and consistency of one of Georgia’s premier track and field programs at the GHSA Class 1A-3A Private State Championships, bringing home two team trophies under legendary head coach Brad Kinser.

The GAC girls earned a state runner-up finish despite battling injuries and roster changes throughout the season, while the boys captured third place and secured the program’s first state trophy since 2015!

Sherrod Headlines Runner-Up Finish for Spartan Girls

Sophomore star Sydney Sherrod led the way for the Spartans with a dominant all-around performance, winning the girls 400-meter dash in 54.65 seconds. Sherrod also placed third in the long jump with a mark of 18-1 1/4 and added another third-place finish in the 200-meter dash at 24.34. She also competed in the 100-meter dash, finishing in 12.48.

Freshman Kayden David earned a podium finish with a third-place result in the high jump after clearing 4-10, while Juliet Purdie finished fifth in the 400-meter dash with a time of 59.18.

GAC’s relay teams continued to play a major role in the team scoring. The Spartans’ 4x100-meter relay team of Kelsey Bailey, Ariel Farris, Fana Thomas, and Leila Charron placed third with a time of 49.29. The 4x400-meter relay team featuring Kniyah Cook, Fana Thomas, Juliet Purdie, and Sophia Duncan ran 4:06.50 and finished in fourth place , while the 4x800-meter relay team of Madeline Austin, Sophia Duncan, Meena Corse, and Elli Martin posted a time of 10:22.61 (seventh place). 

Additional scoring performances for the Spartans included:

• Ariel Harris — 300-meter hurdles, 46.68 (4th place) 
• Kelsey Bailey — 100-meter dash, 12.74 (7th Place)
• Kniyah Cook — long jump, 16-4; 400-meter dash, 1:00.62 (7th place for both)
• Fana Thomas — 100-meter hurdles, 16.95 (8th place)
• Jermani Govan — shot put, 34-7 ½ (5th place)
• Ivey Nemorin — shot put, 34-1 ¼ (6th place)

Despite graduating key contributors and overcoming season-ending injuries to several athletes, the Spartans continued their remarkable consistency at the state level. The girls program has now earned a state trophy 19 times over the last 24 years and has finished first or second 15 times during that span.

Spartan Boys Earn First State Trophy Since 2015

The GAC boys turned in one of the program’s strongest performances in recent years, totaling 63 points to finish third overall behind a balanced effort across sprints, relays, field events, and throws.

Senior Nicholas Prude finished with a state championship in the pole vault, clearing 14-2 to claim the title. Fellow senior Jon Tongren earned a runner-up finish in the 100-meter dash with a time of 10.97 and also placed third in the 200-meter dash at 21.75.

The Spartans dominated the relay events, winning state championships in both the 4x100-meter relay and 4x200-meter relay. The 4x100 team of Michael Miller, Jaden Anderson, Jon Tongren, and Charles Mercer captured gold in 42.57, while the 4x200 relay squad of Chase Sykes, Michael Miller, Charles Mercer, and Jaden Anderson followed with another state title in 1:28.83.

Chase Sykes also earned an individual silver medal in the 400-meter dash with a time of 49.33. The Spartans’ 4x400-meter relay team of Chase Sykes, Jackson Carver, Jon Tongren, and Michael Miller added a time of 3:26.68 and finished in fifth place.

Additional contributors for the Spartans included:

• J.R. Profit — shot put, 45-4 ½ (6th place)
• Maarten Giles — pole vault, 11-6 (7th place)
• Elijah Proctor — discus, 127-0; shot put, 43-11 (8th place for both)

Powered by depth across nearly every event group, the Spartans delivered one of the strongest collective performances of the state meet and secured a long-awaited return to the podium for the boys program.