Marlin track headed for State Meet

The Lady Bulldogs didn’t let a last minute change due to weather stop them from leaving everything on the track at this past week’s 2A Region III Track and Field meet. They brought home the championship trophy and are prepping for the State meet in May.

Taliyah Davis drove it home with a number of personal records, medals, and even a first place qualifying spot in the 100-meter hurdles. She placed second in the triple jump, setting a personal best of 35’3.75. 

The athlete was an essential part of both first place relay teams. The 4x100-meter team was composed of Davis, Aniya Williams, Kendra Hayes, and Aleighseya Washington, while Messiah McGowan subs out for Washington on the 4x200-meter team. Both races were won with more than a second to spare; the girls finished the 4x200 a full four seconds ahead of their closest competitor.

Williams also brought home a silver medal in the 200-meter dash, while Trotter set a personal record of 49.78 seconds on the 300-meter hurdles. 

The Boys’ Varsity Track team also did well, but not nearly as many athletes will be competing in May’s state meet. 

As a team, they came out fourth place overall. 

Both the 4x100 and 4x200 relay teams brought back a second place finish, with the 4x100 team a mere 0.05 second behind the first place team from Timpson. Tydae Mayes, Trajon Butler, Jeoffrey Mims, and Derioin Gullette will advance together in both of these competitions. 

Trajon Butler will also advance in the 100-meter dash, where he placed second. Sophomore Derion Gullette set personal records in both discus and shot put, qualified in shot put with his third-place 45’7 throw, and placed fifth in the 200-meter dash. 

Two sets of siblings continue to state together, a mirror image of each other. Seniors Aniya Williams and Taliyah Davis are proud to bask in the glory with their sophomore brothers.

“Wouldn’t want to share this experience with nobody but my brother,” Davis said on Twitter. 

Her brother, Trajon Butler, will be advancing along with Derion Gullette, Williams’ brother.

“That’s my dawg,” Williams agreed. 

The State Meet will take place in Austin on May 7-8. More details will be released as they are announced.