The Lady Elk’s Track & Field Team won the Northwest 1A Conference Championship on May 2. Coach Clarence Edwards expressed his excitement, “these young ladies were very impressive. There were conference and school records broken, multiple personal bests, and an all around winning effort by all! I would like to give special recognition to Julissa Harper and Cama Ball for stepping in, giving great effort and sacrificing for the team. And to Delilah Sheehan for coming up huge and for ‘leaving it all on the track.’ Thank you to Dani Jo Hearl for giving her all and warming our hearts with her smile and her fighting spirit. Ragan Speer, Sophie Welborn, Ella Kleinheksel, Mya Brown, Jocelyn Johnson and Deiliah Sheehan for reaching way down deep ‘in their bag’ and running events that they don’t usually run. Everyone’s efforts were instrumental in making Elkin High School the 2024 Women’s Northwest 1A Conference Champions!”
Ragan Speer was Conference Champion in the 300 meter hurdles while teammate Ella Kleinheksel won the 800 meter event. Aniya Edwards claimed the top spot in the 100, 200 and 400 meter events. Sophie Welborn, Alyssa Davis, Aniya Edwards and Ragan Speer took the championship with the 4x400 meter relay while Ella Kleinheksel, Jocelyn Johnson, Delilah Sheehan and Mya Brown grabbed the top spot in the 4x800 meter event. Ragan Speer, Sophie Welborn, Alyssa Davis, Aniya Edwards, Emma Johnson, Ella Kleinheksel, Jocelyn Johnson, Mya Brown and Delilah Sheehan all earned All Conference honors. Aniya Edwards was named Athlete of the Meet and Coach Clarence Edwards earned the Northwest 1A Women’s Conference Coach of the Year.
After claiming the Northwest 1A Conference Championship on May 2, the Lady Elk’s Track & Field team went on to compete on May 11 at the Midwest Regional meet, finishing in 4th place overall. Head Coach Clarence Edwards remarked, “Congratulations and great job to the EHS women, who finished 4th overall scoring 73 points. We had multiple personal bests/season best times. These girls worked very hard and they proved themselves at this meet.”
Emma Johnson finished in 14th place in shot put. Alyssa Davis finished in 5th place in the long jump event and 4th place in the high jump and 9th place in the 200 meter dash. Aniya Edwards finished in 1st place in the 100, 200 and 400 meter dash, setting a new meet record in the 400 meter event. Ella Kleinheksel finished in 4th place in the 1600 meter dash & 3rd place in the 800 meter event. Ragan Speer finished in 12th place overall in the 300 meter hurdles. Ragan Speer, Jocely Johnson, Mya Brown and Ella Kleinheksel finished in 3rd place in the 4x800 meter relay. Alyssa Jenkins, Sophie Welborn, Ragan Speer and Maggie Tomlin finished in 5th place in the 4x200 meter event. Alyssa Jenkins, Sophie Welborn, Mya Brown and Maggie Tomlin finished in 6th place in the 4x100 meter relay. Alyssa Davis, Ella Kleinheksel, Ragan Speer and Aniya Edwards finished in 2nd place in the 4x400 meter relay. All top 4th place finishers advanced to the state meet.
On May 20, the team traveled to NC A&T State University to compete at the 1A NCHSAA state meet. Coach Edwards commented, ‘the track team had an amazing day at the state meet. There were multiple personal bests, as well as school and meet records broken! All in all we have seen a lot of growth out of this group of young people. They were able to accomplish a great deal and that has not come without its share of hardships and disappointments. Yet they continued to overcome adversity! The coaches are extremely proud of each athlete who competed. Special recognition is due to our seniors, who have been beyond exceptional. They have persevered, debated, overwhelmed, and captivated! Hats off to the wonderful young women, Ragan Speer, Sophie Welborn and Maggie Tomlin!”
At the state meet, Alyssa Davis finished in 14th place in the high jump. Ella Kleinheksel finished in 7th place in the 800 meter event with a personal best time and 9th place overall in the 1600 meter event. The relay team of Alyssa Davis, Maggie Tomlin, Sophie Welborn and Aniya Edwards finished in 3rd place overall in the 4x400 meter event and Ragan Speer, Jocelyn Johnson, Mya Brown and Ella Kleinheksel finished in 10th place in the 4x800 meter event. But the highlight of the state meet was the efforts of junior Aniya Edwards. Edwards took 1st place in the 100 meter, 200 meter and 400 meter events. In the 400 meter race, she broke the 1A State Meet record with a time of 56.16, a school record as well. She also posted a personal best time in the 200 meter event with a time of 24.50. Edwards won the Women’s Track and Field 1A State Championship Most Valuable Athlete award.
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