Hillcrest Girls Take Down Three Relay Records En Route To Title

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

The girls from Hillcrest smashed three all-time state records in the relays last weekend and won the Class 5A girls team title at Spring Valley High in Charleston, S.C.

Zarie Dumas from Hillcrest won the 5A 400 meters in 54.94 to go with fourth-place finishes in the 100 and 200. White Knoll freshman Kaniya Johnson won the 100 in 11.66w and sophomore Tierra Frasier from Rock Hill won the 200 in 23.89. 

Dumas also had a role in Hillcrest's titles in the 4x100 and 4x400. The lineup of Tariney Pepper, Zahria Jones, Taja Booker and Dumas won a photo finish over Nation Ford in the 4x100 relay after both were timed in 46.06 -- lowering the all-time state record set by Nation Ford last year (46.20). For the record, it was Hillcrest 46.056 to Nation Ford's 46.059.

In the 4x400 relay, Hillcrest clocked 3:46.34 to break JL Mann's 2014 record.

And in the 4x800, Hillcrest ran 9:22.95 to break Wando's 2012 record.

Junior Nolan Brown of Spartanburg won the 5A 200 (21.33) and 400 (48.10) and finished fourth in the 100 (10.78). Senior Jimarcus Mattress from Westside won the 100 in 10.52.

James Byrnes High won the 5A boys team title, with a big push from hurdlers Jaden Jenkins (110m winner) and Chris Ramirez-Brayboy (400m winner). Both were also members of the team's second-place 4x400 relay.

The Berkeley boys ran 41.14 to win the 4x100 relay. A member of that team, DJ Chisolm, won the long jump with 24-6.75.

David Kowalchick of Wando won the 5A shot put (58-1.50) and discus (181-10).

John-Hunter James of Dutch Fork went 16-0 to win the pole vault.

In Class 4A, Quincy Riley of A.C. Flora won the 100 (10.48w) and the 200 (21.37), while Jayla Jamison of Airport tripled on the girls side, running 11.62 and 24.02, and 54.92 in the 400 meters.

Sam Gilman of Hilton Head won the 800 (1:54.27) and the 1,600 (4:27.09).

Tyler Graves of Lower Richmond swept the boys hurddles, running 13.88 and 53.09.

Desmond Gaillard of Beaufort won the triple jump with a state-leading and US#10 49-5.

In Class 3A, Alajuwan Robinson from WJ Keenan ran in impressive sprint double with 10.46 to win the 100 meters and 21.14 to win the 200. 

Pendleton junior Kamiya Dendy won the girls high jump with a clearance at 5-10. 

Ja'Qun Wilkins of Gettis D Broome won the long jump (24-4) and triple jump (47-5.25) titles.

Colin Baker of Academic Magnet won the 1,600 and 3,200 meters, wrapping up the most decorated prep distance running career in state history. His thoughts were also with his mother, who died in April after a long battle with cancer. STORY

In Class 2A, Ty-Lashia West of Batesburg-Leesville threw US#9 47-6.50 to win the girls shot put.

Noah Ward of Phillip Simmons swept the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 meters finals. 

Team Champions

5A - James Byrnes boys 64 points, Hillcrest girls 93 points RESULTS

4A - Beaufort boys 93 points, Travelers Rest girls 72.5 points RESULTS

3A - May River boys 70 points, Bishop England girls 73 points RESULTS

2A - St. Joseph's Catholic boys 70 points, Woodland girls 113.5 RESULTS

1A - Military Magnet boys 120 points, Governors School for Science and Math girls 73 points RESULTS