Bulldogs named District Champs in track and field

It’s been over 20 years since the Marlin Bulldogs have been District Track and Field Champions, but this year the Varsity Boys Team brought home the gold. Both the girls and boys teams participated in the district meet on April 8 and while each team did exceptionally well, a number of athletes came home as area qualifiers in multiple events. 

The first gold on the board was from Trajon Butler, who overtook the 100-meter dash with an 11.385 second run. He was also on the winning 4x100-meter relay team, along with Tydae Mayes, Joffrey Mimms, and Derion Gullette. The same team came in second place in the 4x200-meter relay.

Mayes came in second in the long jump with a whopping 20’ 1 ½ leap, third in the 200-meter dash, and sixth in the high jump. Mimms conquered the 110-meter hurdles in 20.164 seconds, bringing home second place in the event. 

Mario Hopwood took second place in the 800-meter dash and third place in the 300-meter hurdles. Teammate William Workman was just a few seconds behind Hopwood on the hurdles and crossed the finish line in fifth place. He also took fourth place in the 400-meter dash. 

Keyshawn Thomas placed fourth in the 110-meter hurdles, LaTravius Johnson placed third in the shot put, and the 4x400-meter relay team of Isaiah Davis, Tristan Robles, Desmond Woodson, and KeUntre Thomas brought home the silver. Davis also came in fifth place in the triple jump.

Sophomore Derion Gullette was the rockstar of the day, being one of few male athletes to head to area on their individual scores in multiple types of events. He came in second place in the 200-meter dash, the shot put and the discus events, along with his relay wins. Gullette was also the highest scoring male individual of the meet. 

Senior Taliyah Davis was his female counterpart at the meet, helping to lead the Lady Bulldogs Marlin to a third place finish. There were a mere four points between first and third places for the Girls’ Varsity competition.

Davis brought home the gold in the 100-meter hurdles and the triple jump, third place in the long jump, and was on the winning 4x100 and 4x200-meter relay teams. 4x100 relay team members Kendra Hayes and Aleighseya Washington placed second and third in the 100-meter dash, respectively. Hayes was also on the 4x200 relay team, while Washington was on the third place 4x400-meter relay team. 

Aniya Williams brought home the gold in the 200-meter relay along with her performance in the 4x100 and 4x200-meter relays. Messiah McGowan placed fourth in the 200-meter dash, third in the high jump, and was on both the 4x200 and 4x400-meter relay teams. 

Laneshia Massington brought home the silver in the 400-meter dash, as well as was on the 4x400-meter relay team. Kendria Trotter placed second in the 300-meter hurdles. Senior Yasmen Maxwell brought home second and fourth in the shot put and discuss events, while teammate Saniyah Suiters was just inches behind her to bring home third in shot put. 

The Junior Varsity Girls brought home second place, while the JV boys came in fourth place. Advancing athletes will go on to compete in the area competition and then possibly regionals.