Gilmer High was in Norcross for track sectionals as the state field was decided.
The GHS Bobcats and Lady Cats joined half of Class 3A at Greater Atlanta Christian last Saturday. Those who placed in the top eight of their respective events qualified for state, and six Gilmer athletes extended their seasons.
Bobcat Will Kiker set a new school record with his second-place finish in the pole vault at 14’. He is a third-generation record holder in the event. His granddad Paul Kiker held the original record when Gilmer started to participate in the pole vault, and dad Paul Kiker Jr. established a record when he came through GHS.
The new record surpassed the previous mark of 13’ 7” set by Byrson Mulkey.
Gilmer’s Region 7-3A champion Taylor McCormick will make her way to state after topping out at 5’ in the high jump for third place.
The Bobcat’ 4x800 relay team of Zachary Bobak, Carson Purvis, Michael Little and John Keener placed fifth in 8:40.67. Purvis also participated in the 1,600-meter run and finished seventh. His time of 4:33.91 eclipsed a school record he set earlier this season.
The Bobcats competed in nine more sectional events but did not place high enough for a state berth. Purvis placed 10th in the 3,200 meters at 10:31.50, and Dominic Tarantino landed in 12th with a 5’ 8” high jump.
Tarantino also finished 13th in the discus (118’ 2”), as did Isaac Freeman (high jump, 5’ 6”), and the 4x200 team of Little, Hunter Watkins, Issac Rellinger and Kiker (1:36.37). Little, Watkins, Rellinger and Kiker placed 15th in the 4x100 at 46.22.
Lady Cat Jocelyn Birko tossed the shot put 32’ 1” for ninth. Teammate Reagan Boling clocked in at 1:03.66 in the 400 meters for 11th and also had a leap of 14’ 10 1/4” in the long jump for 13th.
The 4x200 quartet of Josephine Royer, Boling, Amayah Jones and Kenzie Sewell crossed the finish line in 1:53.31 for 12th.
The state track meet will be held at Carrollton’s Grisham Stadium Thursday through Saturday. For a full schedule, visit Ghsa.net/track-and-field.