Blythewood and Westwood girls track and field both claimed Upper State championships over the weekend in their respective classes. Blythewood took the 5A Upper State title with a score of 119; J.L. Mann followed in second at 68. Westwood’s girls took the 4A Upper State title with a 92.5 score; Ridge View finished second at 86.
Westwood Ticora Gaskin set a new South Carolina record in long jump at qualifiers. Gaskin now holds the record previously set in 2014 (20-2.25) at the 20-3 mark. She also broke Westwood’s eight-year school record of 19-6.5 and is ranked as #6 in the nation according to MileSplit. Gaskin also placed first in the 100m dash at 12.37 and second in the 200m dash at 25.38.
UCF-commit Brianna Rodriquez placed first in 100m hurdles (14.66) and 400m hurdles (1:04.19) and finishd third in the 200m dash with a season-best 25.41.
Ja’keyia Martin-Maybin (12.41), Katie Cantey (12.64) and Cortnece Pope (12.83) all placed for Westwood in the 100m dash. Thanna Davis finished third in the 400m dash and the 400m dash. Harper Ramsdale placed third in pole vault and Raven Johnson placed third in high jump.
Westwood’s girls 4x400m relay team also placed first.
All relay teams for the Blythewood girls finished in first place. Other first place finishers for the Bengals were Arianna Williams, who placed first in the 200m dash and the 400m dash and Hayley Hightower in the 800m run.
Aniya Fulker placed second in shot put; Hailey Duncan placed second in the 100m dash and in the 200m dash. Kaitlyn McFadden finished third in the 800m run.
Westwood’s boys finished fourth and Blythewood’s boys placed sixth in the 18-team contests.
William Tyndall finished first in the 800m run. Both Westwood’s 4×100 m relay team and 4x400m relay team finished in first place. Dominick Young finished second in the 400m dash. Daelmonte Anderson finished third in long jump.
Bengal Kalem Kelly placed second in 110m hurdles. Chase Johnson came in second in discus and in shot put. The Blythewood 4×400 relay boys team finished third.
Both Westwood and Blythewood look to compete for State Titles. Blythewood will compete in the 5A track meet held at Spring Valley on May 20, beginning at 9 a.m. Westwood will compete in the 4A meet at Lower Richland on May 19, beginning at 5 p.m.