Incoming freshmen, Bulldog targets shooting for state track gold
In approximately three weeks, Mecole Hardman, Tyler Simmons, Charlie Woerner and Elijah Holyfield will be going through the summer program with their teammates as freshmen members of the Georgia Bulldogs.
But first, the quartet will look to cap off their respective high school careers with some individual and team gold at the GHSA state track meet which gets underway Thursday in Jefferson.
“I’m trying to win it (the Class AAAAAA 100 meter dash) this year,” said Simmons, who comes into the meet with the fourth-fastest time (10.76) among the 16 participants from Class AAAAAA.
Preliminaries in the track events take place Friday with the finals set for Saturday, all which will take place at Memorial Stadium in Jefferson.
Woerner and Hardman will be first up to try and win state gold during the field event finals on Thursday.
Hardman will be a busy man – competing in five event finals – including the triple and long jump on Thursday.
If the numbers are any indication, Hardman could be the one to beat for the long jump crown. After finishing third in the event last year, the Elbert County enters Thursday’s finals with a qualifying jump of 23-11, which is nine inches further than any of the 16 competitors in the event.
Meanwhile, his 100 meter time of 10.77 is the second-best mark in his competition group.
Woerner will be trying to win state titles in both the shot put and discus, and should be among the top contenders for titles in both events.
His qualifying throw in the discus of 151-11 is the third-best mark in Class AA with his qualifying shot put toss of 47-11 is second, behind only Devin Cochran of Greater Atlanta Christian (49-04.50).
Simmons will also compete in the 4X100 relay, while Hardman will take part in the 4X100, the 4X400 along with the 100-meter dash.
As for Holyfield, he’ll only be competing in the 4X100 meter relay with the rest of his teammates from Woodward Academy in Class AAAA.
A number of Bulldog recruits will also be competing. They included wide receiver Jeremiah Holloman in the AAAAAA high jump, triple jump and 4X400 along with Vidalia’s Nate McBride will be running with his Vidalia High teammates in the 4X100 and 4X400 relays.
Others include Jalen Houston in the 4X400, Christian Tutt in the 4X100, Kearis Jackson in the discus, 100 meter dash, 4X100 and 4X400, Tray Bishop in the 4X100 and JD King in the 4X100.