Last week’s girls track and field championships did not net a single team title for a Gwinnett County school, but several schools gave the team title a run on the final day of competition.
GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD RUNDOWN …
In Class 5A, Collins Hill finished tied for second with 36 points ─ two points behind Lassiter (38 points) ─ after the Lady Eagles posted a strong final day. Brookwood was fourth with 33 points after entering the final day with the lead. Collins Hill finished second in the 1600-meter relay, as the school attempted to rally for the team title. The second-place finish marked the second straight year that the Eagles have walked away as runners-up. Individually, Nicky Akande won the 800-meter dash title, her second career championship in the event after winning as a sophomore and finishing second last year. She also claimed the 1600-meter run. Grayson’s Taren White was outstanding once again at the state championships. The speedy White won the 200-meter dash and the 400-meter dash in helping Grayson finish second in the 400-meter relay. Overall, Grayson finished sixth place with 30 points.
Moving down to the Class 2A level, Jessica Tuggle of the Greater Atlanta Christian School won the 100-meter intermediate hurdles. North Oconee edged GAC 53-50 for the team title. In Class A, Wesleyan could not defend its state title, finishing third.
The boys track and field state title were decided on Thursday. From Gwinnett County, Peachtree Ridge could be a force to be reckoned with after capturing its second straight Region 7-AAAAA title with 147 points, besting Norcross (116), Collins Hill (97) and Mill Creek (84).
TENNIS TITLES ELUDE COUNTY TEAMS …
Gwinnett was also shut out of the tennis title scene despite strong showings throughout last week. The Wesleyan boys cruised through the semifinals but were blanked by Walker in the Class A finals. The No. 2-ranked Class 5A girls team of Peachtree Ridge put up a fight against Walton in the quarterfinals before falling to the eventual champions 3-1. Peachtree Ridge was able to win the No. 2 singles match as Jessica Northcutt beat Maxie Weinberg 7-5, 7-6. Walton recovered though to take the No. 1 doubles point as well as the No. 3 singles point. The clinching point Came at No. 1 singles, as Emily Zabor won a three-set thriller (6-3, 3-6, 6-4) over Mary Jeremiah. Peachtree Ridge’s season ended with a 15-1 record.
The GAC girls golf team captured the Class 2A state title as Lindsay Adams led the way with a 73. The Spartans coasted past Westminster 151-177. Emee Herbert shot a 78 for GAC and was runner-up to Adams for the individual medal.
SOCCER AND BASEBALL NOTES …
In girls soccer, defending champion Parkview into glided into the Class 5A semis after knocking out Union Grove 3-0. KiKi Nelson found the net for the No. 2 Panthers’ first goal then assisted on the next two. Kim Spence connected for her 32nd goal of the season, just days after setting the school’s single-season scoring record with two goals against Lassiter in a 2-1 win. Parkview will face No. 4 Northview in the semifinals (rankings are according to eurosportscoreboard.com). The result of that game was not available at press deadline.
No. 3 North Gwinnett also found its way into the semifinals after taking out Grayson 2-1 in the second round and tagging Chapel Hill 1-0 in the quarterfinals. Danielle Au scored in regulation against Grayson and then connected on two shots in the penalty kick session to advance the Lady Bulldogs. Grayson’s goal was netted by Erin Griffin. Against Chapel Hill, Taylor Burns scored her 15th goal of the year. And Lauren Duncan at goalkeeper posted North Gwinnett’s 12th shutout of the year. In Class 2A/A, GAC beat Eagles Landing Christian Academy 4-1 in quarterfinals behind three goals from freshman Rachel Garcia. In the prior round Madeline Barker had three goals in a 7-0 romp over North Oconee.
On the baseball diamond, Grayson fell to North Cobb 12-11 in Game 3 in bottom of the seventh with a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch. Grayson trailed 11-8 in top of seventh before rallying to tie the game at 11-11. Joey LaRocca two run home run and then Clay Ardesser drew bases loaded walk to tie the game. Ardesser had three-run homer in first inning as well as a two-run double in sixth. The Warriors will now host Region 7 No. 4 seed North Gwinnett.
Collins Hill, Mill Creek and Parkview also advanced.
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