CARTERVILLE -- The Marion Junior High School boys and girls track and field teams both claimed first place at the SIJHSAA Class L Carterville Regional meet Tuesday and will once again be well-represented at the Class L state meet this Saturday.
The boys squad compiled 129 points to beat out Carbondale (104), Herrin (100), Carterville (76), Murphysboro (26), Massac County (25), Anna (22) and Unity Point (8).
The Wildcats are sending 15 athletes to state in 13 of 16 events. Seven personal-bests were set at the regional meet.
Advancing individually were Dyson Roye in the pole vault (1st, 8-0), Jadden Hollis in the high jump (2nd, 5-5), Rayzhaun Bardo in the long jump (2nd, 17-8), Kane Carter in the shot put (1st, 42-7), Matthew Cook in the 100 hurdles (3rd, 15.16), Da'Mareon Cooper in the 7th grade 100 (3rd, 12.09) and 200 (4th, 24.6), Hamzah Baker in the 8th grade 100 (2nd, 11.5) and Benja Stone in the 800 (1st, 2:19.88).
Marion swept the relays to qualify in four more events.
Deavon Margrum, Bardo, Bryson Wilson and Cooper won the 7th grade 800 relay in 1:43.5; Jordan Cook, Aaron Maze, Jonathan Tucker and Baker on the 400 relay in 49.4; Jordan Cook, Tucker, Blake Sircher and Baker won the 8th grade 800 relay in 1:42; and Nashon Miller, Matthew Cook, Cooper and Sircher won the 1,600 relay in 4:02.
The girls racked up 138.5 points to easily beat Murphysboro (75), Carterville (66), Massac County (59.25), Carbondale (41), Herrin (35), Anna (25.25) and Unity Point (15).
Marion seventh-grader Margaux Bruce qualified in four events. She won the 400 in 1:02.84, the 800 in 2:38.30 and placed second in the long jump at 15-8. She was also part of an advancing relay.
Also advancing individually to state were Heaven Lawrence and Emma Marler in the 100 hurdles, Janae Maxwell in the 7th grade 100 (2nd, 13.46), Jade Nappier in the shot put (1st, 31-9) and discus (1st, 87-11) and Charlotte Arnold and Karris Rhine in the pole vault.
Marion is also sending three relays. Edwards, Lawrence, Makiah Baker and Maxwell placed first in the 400 in 53.15; Edwards, Stephanie Rodriguez, Baker and Maxwell placed first in the 800 in 1:56.33; and the 1,600 relay of Raegan Kind, Edwards, Isis Williams-Wolaver and Bruce placed second in 4:43.74.
The state meet begins at 10 a.m. Saturday in Carterville.
