The Class 4, Region D meet wasn’t what the Cougars and Lady Cougars hoped for, but there will still be eight Pulaski County athletes heading to the Class 4 State Championship meet June 2-3 at Liberty University.
At the top of the mountain is recent graduate and VCU-bound Diego Turner, who earned a Region Championship in the shot put and discus. Turner also broke some records with his efforts. While it wasn’t his personal best or enough to break the school record he currently holds, his shot put throw of 57’ 2.5” was a new Class 4, Region D record, breaking the record he held from last season. His discus throw of 157’ 9” broke the standing school and Region record of 155’ 1”, which he set earlier in this season. The reigning Region and State Champion will make an attempt to earn two more individual State Championships at Liberty.
Kiontre Hayden will be joining Turner in the pits at the state meet, finishing second at the region meet to punch his ticket. Aiden Moore was also an All-Region members and will compete at the state meet, taking sixth at the regionals in the discus.
Davis Neel earned All-Region honors and will compete at the state meet after taking fourth in the 110-meter hurdles and fifth in the 300-meter hurdles.
The 4x400-meter relay team of Marcus Reed, Davis Neel, Silas Sweet, and Cole Boone will compete at the state meet after finishing seventh at regions.
Freshman Cole Boone has qualified for three events at the state meet. He finished second in the 1,600-meter race to earn All-Region honors. He’s also qualified in the 800-meter and the 400-meter.
Joel Burchett will be competing at the state meet in the 100-meter dash.
On the girls side, Kaylan Dishon earned third place in the discus with a throw of 93’ 3”. She also took fifth in the shot put with her throw of 31’ 3”. She’ll attempt both at the state meet.
Olivia Viers finished fourth in two events at the region meet … the 100-meter hurdles and the long jump.
Kendra Trail finished fourth in the shot put, earning All-Region honors and earning her a shot at the state meet.
Nadia Jackson placed seventh at the region meet in the 200-meter race for All-Region recognition.
Finally, the team of Jaylin Robertson, Keslyn Secrist, Olivia Viers, and Nadia Jackson took eighth in the 4x100-meter relay, securing All-Region honors.
“I thought our group executed well and has progressed tremendously over the course of the season,” Assistant Coach Josh Fleenor said. “We were able to score significant points in a meet with great competition. I am excited to see how they will compete at the state meet.“
““This group has continued to exceed my expectations,” Assistant Coach Hannah Alexander said. “Leading the charge seniors Olivia Viers, Keslyn Secrist, Davis Neel, and Kahlib Horton stayed poised and ready to compete the whole meet. Our freshman group of Jaelyn Robertson, Kianna Comer, and Bryant Nottingham have pushed all season showing that the younger class is hungry and ready to grow. I was thrilled with how our season rounded out and look forward to the future with this group.”
“Going to the state meet Olivia and Davis both competing in the short hurdles (100s/110s) we are spending the week refining technique in preparation of their last hurdles races as PCHS Cougars,” Assistant Coach Hunter Thomas said. “Olivia also competing in long jump is a shining example about what hard work and dedication will get you coming from an athlete who has improved by over two feet in her senior year.”
The State Championship meet will be at Liberty University on Friday, June 2, and Saturday, June 3.