On May 6-7, the Long County Recreation Department finished eighth overall out of 35 teams at the 2022 Georgia Recreation and Parks Association state meet.

The team qualified for the state meet after 40 of their athletes competed in the district meet on April 17, where 23 athletes placed among the top three advancing them to the state meet. The state tournament was held in Jefferson.

Track coach Karen Higgason said it was the largest group of track athletes they’ve sent to the state meet due in part to the addition of two new events – javelin and discus.

The team also added a new field coach, Melissa Craft.

“Her dedication in teaching the kids proper technique helped two of our athletes to not only place first but break state records,” Higgason said. “Track is unlike any other sport. It truly takes a village and all of the coaches working together. I am blessed to say Long County has some great ones.”

The coaching staff includes Rusty and Karen Higgason, Kris Spurgeon, Coach Bean, Katherine Ferrie, Nikki Magley, Andrew Jenks, Andrew Gilroy, Michelle Chambless, Melissa Craft and Jake Gardner.

Higgason said it was great seeing how much their athletes improved from the beginning of the season until the end.

“And our parents were absolutely amazing,” she said. “We had so many volunteers and help and without them we would be lost. I hope all of the kids had a great experience and come back to participate again. It’s safe to say all of us coaches truly love these kids.”

2022 GRPA State Track meet results: Sophia Brewster Miller 1st softball throw 1st javelin and record holder Macey Higgason- 1st place/ recorder holder, Javelin Throw, 2nd place 3200m 3rd place 1600m Trevor Kuchar- 2nd place 1600m, 9th place Alexia Gilroy 1st place 400m 1st place 200 m Discus Throw, 2nd place 3200m Asher Mannel- 5th place 1600m, 6th place, Javelin Throw, 1st place 800m Ethan Runyon- 13th 1600m, 7th place 3200m Claire Wallingsford- 2nd place Softball, Throw, 6th place 800m, 5th place Javelin Alyssa Skipper- 6th place Softball Throw Wyatt Huston- 2nd place Softball Throw, 4th place 400m Irhyiana Hugley- 6th place Standing Long Jump Aaralyn Rusie- 10th place Shot Put, 6th place Discus Throw, 7th place 3200m Mackenzie Spurgeon-2nd place High Jump Zackary Magly- 10th place Javelin Throw, 10th place 800m Madison Spurgeon-9th place Discus Throw Kinslee Chapman-5th place Discus Throw Mackenzie Smith- 6th place 3200M Michael Ferrie- 8th place 3200M Masen Smiley- 8th place 50m Dash Ashley Gilroy- 6th place 400m Namora Perez- 9th place 400m Landon Gardner- 6th place 800m Mallory Skipper- 6th place 800m Guiliana Bryant- 5th place 200m