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Tigers take seventh at state track finals
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Bradwell Institute’s men’s track team made it to the finals of the GHSA state track meet over the weekend, giving them an overall seventh place finish in the AAAAA region with 20 team points. One Tiger even surpassed a school record for the high jump.
According to track head coach Emmett A. Watkins, Larry Henry placed first in the high jump, clearing 7’0” to win the state title, out jumping the former Bradwell record of 6’10” held by Teddrick Brown (2002) and Mookie Gillard (1980).
Henry also placed seventh in the triple jump.
“Larry Henry showed great perseverance and dedication by performing on the same day of his grandfather’s funeral,” Watkins said. “He dedicated his win to his grandfather.”
Deron Jordan took the state championship of AAAAA in the shot put. He threw it for a distance of 53’.
“This track season was special for two reasons,” the coach said. “We won our second region title in as many years and Deron Jordan finally reached a goal he set two years ago.”
Malachi Bell finished 11th in the 3200-meter run (11:00.830). Shaquille Russell placed eighth in his competition with a discus throw of 138’.
The Tigers were in first place after the finish of day one. They ended in seventh.
“I am very pleased with the track season and the finish the kids accomplished,” Watkins said. “This is the second time we have finished in the top seven. We placed 4th in 2002. Also, I am proud to have been a small part of the track program’s success over the last seven years. In the last seven years we’ve had three individual state champions and five track athletes to sign college scholarships.”
It’s a bittersweet win for the Tigers as coach Watkins has decided to accept a position elsewhere and will leave Bradwell Institute.
“I will truly miss the kids I worked with and the community as a whole,” he said. “I hope I have said or done something that has touched a kid’s life in a positive way for the future. I would like to thank all those who supported me during my tenure at Bradwell.” 
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