Sprinters shine for Vicksburg

Published 7:54 am Sunday, April 15, 2018

Kiona Patton and Taylor Gray led a Vicksburg High sweep of the 100 meters, and a charge to the top of the standings Thursday at the Division 4-5A track and field meet.

Patton and Gray finished first and second, respectively, to lead the Missy Gators to the team title.

Patton’s victory in 13.08 seconds was one of five for VHS in individual events, and she and Gray also teamed with Shadia Cain and Markia Anderson to win both the 4×100 and 4×200 meter relays.

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Char’Davia Anderson won both the 100 and 300 meter hurdles, Jordan Davis the triple jump, and Brandi Dillon the shot put.

The top four finishers in each event advanced to the second round of track’s postseason, the Region 4-5A meet April 19 at Ridgeland High School. The Missy Gators will send 14 athletes there to compete in 13 events.

The 4×800 meter relay team of Kayla Burnham, Shante Parker, Erianna Gibbs, Mi’Kearyia Patterson advanced to the region meet.

Also qualifying in individual events were Davis (long jump, triple jump, 300 meter hurdles); Keirra Wilkerson (long jump); Gray (100 and 200 meters); Patton (100 and 200 meters); Janiya Anderson (1,600 meters); Ashley Barnes (400 meters); and Dillon (shot put, discus).

For Vicksburg’s boys’ team, Markieth Stimage won the 3,200 meters with a time of 11 minutes, 56.84 seconds and also advanced in the 1,600 meters.

Jermaine Wesley qualified for the region meet in the 100 and 400 meters, while Cedric Phillips advanced in the 100 and 200 meters and the triple jump.

Robert Jones advanced in the long jump and triple jump, and Jehari Riley in the discus.
In relays, Jamaal Jefferson, Tyler Wilbert and Elmer Johnson teamed with Wesley in the 4×100 and Derrick Funches in the 4×200 and qualified in both events.

Funches, Jones, Keion Johnson and Gabriel Washington finished third in the 4×400 meter relay.

About Ernest Bowker

Ernest Bowker is The Vicksburg Post's sports editor. He has been a member of The Vicksburg Post's sports staff since 1998, making him one of the longest-tenured reporters in the paper's 140-year history. The New Jersey native is a graduate of LSU. In his career, he has won more than 50 awards from the Mississippi Press Association and Associated Press for his coverage of local sports in Vicksburg.

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