Jones brings home State gold; 4x100 sprints to silver

Bulldog athletes brought home some hardware from the UIL State Track Meet on Friday.

Marlin junior Praiyer Jones launched the shot on his final throw, propelling him to a gold medal in the shot put.

After placing ninth in discus Friday morning, Jones said, “I didn’t comfortable going into the discus event. I think I let my nerves get the best of me, but I’ll have a better showing next year, prayerfully.”  

Jones quickly rebounded to compete in the shot put that afternoon. After putting the shot 55 feet 10.5 inches, Jones took the lead. Later, Douglas Brooks, a senior at Shiner High School, jumped into first place with a throw of 56 feet. However, Jones would not be denied the gold. On his final attempt, Jones launched a throw of 56 feet 8.25 inches setting a new school record for the seventh consecutive time this year.  

“It all feels so surreal,” Praiyer shared with a with a huge smile.  “I’m just excited for our Track and Field program at MHS - especially for field events because sometimes field events don’t get the same notoriety as running events. With the help of my family, coaches, church, and community, I just thank God I was able to bring the Gold in shot put to my hometown and I hope it stays in Marlin long after I’m gone - for boys and girls.”

The Marlin boys’ 4x100-meter relay team sprinted to the silver medal with a time of 42.12 seconds.

The Bulldogs’ squad — Jeoffrey Mims, Trajon Butler, I’Aire Kee and Derion Gullete — improved on their regional time by .45 of a second, a huge jump in the 4x100. 

The Bulldogs qualified two relays and three individuals for state this year.

Marlin collected another medal in the 4x200 as the same four sprinters stepped on the track again, finishing third at 1:28.93.

The Bulldogs scored 42 points to tie Timpson for the team bronze medal.