The Long County Blue Tide track and field team is consistently sending athletes to the state competition and the 2021 season has been no different. On Monday, April 19 and Tuesday, April 20, the teams competed at the region meet with several teams and individuals placing fourth or better to advance to sectionals on May 8.

On Monday, the field events took place and the lone Tide team member to advance was Jada Freeman. She placed first in the girls’ high jump, taking home the gold medal in the process.

On Tuesday, however, there was many more members of Blue Tide nation competing, which led to several advancing to sectionals.

In the girls’ 4x100 relay, the team of Trinity Santiago, Tomaj Halley, Kimryii Holsey and Tiniya Smith placed third, while the team of Josiah Smith, Ahmari Douglas, Jayden Tanner and Josh Valembrun placed second in the boys’ version of the race.

Santiago also took home the silver medal in the girls’ 100 meter hurdles race. Madison Cook also placed fourth in the same race.

In the boys, 110 meter hurdles, Tashawn Brown placed third. Valembrun and Smith also placed in the boys’ 200 meter run, placing second and fourth respectively.

Freeman also added wins on Tuesday, placing second in the girls’ 300 meter hurdles and the girls’ 400 meter race.

Jada Young won the bronze medal in the girls’ 800 meter run, while Anthony Ferrie and Wesley Wilson took home second and third respectively in the boys’ 800 meter. All three of the placers in the 800 are members of the Tide cross country team and advanced this season as well.

Finally, Wilson, Ferrie, Valembrun, and Josh Foddrill teamed up to place third in the boys’ 4x400 meter relay.

With 15 members of the track team placing fourth or better in either individual or team events, the Blue Tide will be well represented at sectionals on May 8. The teams will look to perform well again to advance to the state meet on May 13-15.