Olivia Harris and Ervin Pearson of Buford won the GHSA Class 7A State Championship in the girls’ and boys’ 400-meter dash on Saturday, May 11 at Grisham Stadium in Carrollton.
Harris finished the 400-meter with a time of 53.69 and although it was not her personal best, it was more than enough to capture the trophy. She crossed the finish line over a second before second-place finisher Lailah Green of Discovery HS.
First and second place in the boys’ 400-meter dash were separated by just two milliseconds with Pearson capturing first place with a personal best of 45.35. Westlake’s Sidi Njie finished second with a time of 45.37.
The Buford girls’ track and field team came in third at the state meet thanks to strong performances from Harris, Jaci Wright, the 4×400-meter relay team and Aiya Webb. Buford (49 pts.) finished behind Westlake (68 pts.) and Marietta (65 pts.) while Richmond Hill (41 pts.) and North Cobb (36.75 pts.) round out the top five girls’ teams.
The Buford boys’ track and field team placed 10th overall with 26.50 points.
The top eight finishers in each event contribute points to their team’s total with first place awarding the most points at eight while eighth place is worth one point.
The Lady Wolves top state performers:
First place: 400-meter dash – Olivia Harris (53.69)
Second place: High Jump – Aiya Webb (5-4), Long Jump – Jaci Wright (18-8)
Third place: 100-meter hurdles – Jaci Wright (13.99); 4×400-meter relay team – Arianna Thomas, Quinn Conwell, Dominique Brown, Olivia Harris (3:51.59)
Fourth place: 200-meter dash – Olivia Harris (24.38)
Sixth place: 4×100-meter relay team – Tavye Borders, Olivia Harris, Alexandria Conwell, Quinn Conwell (48.30); 4×200-meter relay team – Tavye Borders, Dominique Brown, Alexandria Conwell, Quinn Conwell (1:41.32)
Eighth place: Discus – Mya Rasberry (113-2)
Buford boys’ top state performers:
First place: 400-meter dash – Ervin Pearson (45.35)*
Second place: High Jump – Nathaniel Olofintuyi (6-6)*
Fourth place: Triple Jump – Zachary Tamale (46-3.50)
Sixth place: High Jump – Paul Peterson (6-2)
Seventh place: Discus – Marcus Rasberry (156-4)*
*denotes personal record
