Records Broken, Spirits Soared: The BDCRA Track Event Highlights
Published 10:32 am Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Photo via Leslie McCord Bernier.
Photo via Leslie McCord Bernier.
Photo via Leslie McCord Bernier.
Photo via Leslie McCord Bernier.
Photo via Leslie McCord Bernier.
Photo via Leslie McCord Bernier.
Photo via Leslie McCord Bernier.
|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
The inaugural Bainbridge-Decatur County Recreation Authority (BDCRA) track meet sprang to life with an electrifying energy and a commitment to fostering local talent. Partnering with the Blakely-Early County Recreation Authority (BECRA) and the Colquitt Miller County Recreation Department (CMCRD), the event showcased young athletes’ extraordinary performances while emphasizing community pride.
“On behalf of the Bainbridge Decatur County Recreation Authority youth track and field program,” BDCRA track and field head coach Heather Cruz Smith said. “BDCCRA Director Joel Holmes, Coach Close, and I would like to express our gratitude to the Bainbridge-Decatur County School administration for allowing us to use the track facility for the BDCRA youth track meet. A special thank you to Coach Larry Clark for being our announcer, starter and helping with facility management. We also extend our thanks to the Blakely-Early County Recreation Department and Colquitt – Miller County Parks and Recreation for their participation and teaming up to make this successful. A special thank you goes out to all the coaches and parent volunteers.”
Distance Races
The 1600 and 800-meter events displayed incredible grit from competitors. Athletes like Railynn Smith (6:59.81/3:02.00), Sophia Smith (6:20.00/3:05.00), Cash Dollar (7:29.62/3:26.00), Carter Atkinson (7:31/00/3:33.00), and Tristan Nix (7:49.43/3:46.76) shattered personal records, with time improvements of up to 20 seconds—a testament to their dedication and resilience. These performances encapsulated the hours of training that define youth sports.
Sprints and Relays
The 4×100 relay saw the 8U BDCRA boys finish strong with a time of 1:17.10. Meanwhile, in the 50-meter dash, 8U girls Ava Register (10.88) and Jordyn Moten (9.16) captured the crowd’s attention. The 8U boys followed, with Lofton Byrd (8.87) and Alexander Baker (9.31) leading their heat.
The competitive spirit continued in the 100-meter races. 8U boy Jordan Austin posted the best time in his heat at 16.30, while Ashton Mango of BDCRA dominated the 12U boys race, clocking an impressive 14.03. In the 14U division, Aubree Bouie’s performance (15.41 in the 100-meter and 39.66 in the 200-meter) stood out, while King Douglas (13.09) and Well Bullard (12.87) set the pace in the 14U boys category.
The 200-meter races featured equally inspiring results. 8U girl Jordyn Moten clocked a strong 44.03, while Kevion Coley (35.81) and Cedrick (31.07) shone in the 8U and 10U boys divisions, respectively. Mango once again impressed with a 31.09 in the 12U boys’ 200-meter, and King Douglas sped to a 27.63 finish in the 14U boys.
Long-Distance Highlights
The 400-meter events highlighted endurance and strategy. In the 8U girls, Kylynn Burden posted an impressive 1:24.00, while Cedric (1:17.84) excelled for the 8U boys. 12U boy Kalvin Coley recorded a standout time of 1:09.79, and Bryson Bullard represented the 14U boys admirably with a 1:09.32.
Field Events: Long Jump
Field events brought their share of excitement. In the 8U girls’ long jump, Mariah Freeman secured first place with jumps of 6.6 and 7.0 meters, while Emmett Faircloth dominated the 8U boys’ long jump with leaps of 6.1 and 7.8 meters. Tucker and Dollar of the 12U boys showcased immense skill, claiming first and second place with distances of 9.9 and 8.9 meters.
Aubree Bouie’s performance in the 14U girls’ long jump (10 and 8.9 meters) was equally stunning, complemented by King’s victory in the 14U boys’ long jump, where he soared 13 and 14.6 meters.
Javelin Throw
The javelin event combined power and precision. Keaton dominated the 8U boys’ division, landing throws of 25.9 and 28.3 meters to take first place. In the 10U boys, Cedrick and Griffin earned second and third place, respectively, with Cedrick throwing 34.7 and 31.7 meters.
Shaya triumphed in the 10U girls’ javelin, clinching first place with a throw of 27.5 meters, while Heidi Griffin took third for BDCRA (23.7 meters). In the 14U boys, Atkinson impressed with his 24.2-meter throw, earning second place.
Standing Jump
The standing jump competition capped the day with thrilling results. Moten placed second in the 8U girls’ division, achieving jumps of 4.3 and 4.8 meters. In the 8U boys, Johnson delivered a strong 2nd-place finish with leaps of 3.11 and 4.4 meters.
Rogers from BDCRA stole the show in the 10U boys’ division, securing first place with jumps of 4.10 and 5.7 meters. Meanwhile, Railynn Smith dazzled in the 12U girls, achieving 6.8 meters for 1st place, and Mango soared to victory in the 12U boys’ standing jump with a remarkable distance of 7.1 meters.
The track meet concluded with an unmistakable sense of accomplishment and camaraderie. Athletes, coaches, and community supporters joined together in celebration, embodying the spirit of sportsmanship and perseverance. The anticipation now turns to the district qualifiers in Thomasville, set to take place on April 4–5, 2025.
