MAHS track and field athletes return from state with 2 champions and 3rd overall

05/17/2018 Sharon Swanepoel Schools, Sports, Top News 0

Coach Ronnie Coleman is obviously proud of the Monroe Area High Track team after the members returned from the 2018 Georgia High School Track and Field State Championship last week in Albany, Ga. with a 3rd place overall finish.

“This is an awesome accomplishment, considering there are 58, 3A schools in Georgia,” Coleman said, adding that in addition MAHS’s track team returned with two individual state champions. “Chase Spann is the state champion in the 400 meter sprint. He won in a school record time of 48.82 seconds. Elijah Compton is the state champion in the 300 meter hurdles. He won in a time on 38.48 seconds.”

In addition, Compton was state runner up in the 110 meter hurdles with a school record time of 14.50 seconds and Spann placed 5th in the 200 meter sprint with a season best time of 22.09 seconds.

“Chase and Elijah were joined by Dalton York and Christian Austin to place 4th in the 4×400 meter relay in a time of 3 minutes 24.46 seconds,” Coleman said.

From left, Monroe Area High School competed at the Georgia High School 2018 Track and Field State Championship in Albany, Ga. From left: Coach David Radford, Coach Arthur James, Dalton York, Christian Austin, Chase Spann, Elijah Compton, Coach Ronnie Coleman. Contributed photo.

Coleman is hoping that this strong showing will help shine a light on the school’s track and field program and assist in efforts to raise fund for much needed equipment for the program. With the replaced equipment, the school will be able to attract more competitions to the school and lease out the facility. Coleman said MAHS has the only nine lane track in the state and a large parking area.

“Monroe Area Boys and Girls Track teams are raising funds to purchase high jump and pole vault landing systems to benefit the track team. Unfortunately, unsuccessful track repair costs years ago, following by ultimately completely resurfacing the track, has depleted funds for purchasing this equipment,” Coleman said, adding that Carver boys and girls train alongside MAHS athletes and host meets at MAHS. “Monies earned from hosting meets makes up most of Carver’s track budget. Carver has hosted small meets as well as league championship meets. Other track programs utilize our facility as well.”

The total cost to replace all the equipment needed is $24,594, which Coleman said could be purchased at a sale price of $19,490 from the 2018 Everything Track and Field brochure.

Coleman said any financial help in getting the equipment will be much appreciated.

“Without these landing systems we will not be able to attract others to participate in meets at MAHS or rent out our facility,” he said.