Six Lady Panthers and 11 Panther boys qualified for their state track meets after finishing among the top eight of their respective fields at sectionals last weekend.
Just a few days before she signed a track scholarship to Jacksonville State University, Courtney Bennett took first place in the discus (131 feet, 2 inches) and fourth in the shot put (35 1/2).
Alyisha Anderson placed sixth in the triple jump (35-6) and was a member of the 4-by-100 meter relay team that finished seventh (49.6 seconds) along with Jaelynn James, Destiny Hall and Tiffany Walker. Alyssa Daniels is an alternate in the 4x100 and qualified for the pole vault after placing seventh (7-6).
Khaleed Barrett will compete in the 800 run and 1600 run at state after placing first (2:01) and eighth (4:38.37) at sectionals.
Demetrius Anderson placed fourth in the 1600 (4:34.59).
Barrett, Philip Williams, Desmon Hines, Marc Dickey and alternate Jordan Waters will run the 4x400 relay at state after placing eighth (3:29.65).
Freddie McSwain, who just signed a basketball scholarship with Neosho County Community College in Kansas, placed second in the high jump (6-2).
Theodis Wilcox finished seventh in the 100 dash (11.29), Jarquel Richardson placed second in the 200 dash (22.18) and Christian Helvie and Thomas Fields will compete at state in the pole vault. Helvie took first place at 11 feet, while Thomas placed seventh at 10 feet.
The girls state meet starts Thursday in Albany. The boys state meet is May 8-10 in Jefferson.