The Christian Coleman Invitational also saw Shiloh’s Christion Barker go 25-3 in the long jump, marking the third longest in state history. Carrollton’s Amare Hall won the state long jump title with a 23-3 a year ago. The Shiloh boys won state titles in 2014 and 2019 while competing in the state’s highest ranking, but finished seventh in the state last year in Class 6A. The Generals have a tough group of teams to face this season, but this year’s results have already shown Shiloh’s prowess. At the Christian Coleman Invitational, Shiloh took first place with 103 points overall and edged second-placed Buford’s 79 points. Buford closed out a fifth-place finish at last year’s championships and has a ton of power coming back this year, especially in the 400-meter relay where the team won a state title last year. On Saturday, Buford’s relay team posted a new state record and national best time of 40.05. If the Wolves can find a way to break the 40-second mark, they will do what no other relay team has done in state history. Buford’s relay team includes Victor Venn, KJ Bolden, Tobi Olawole and Isaiah Bond, who won individual state titles in the 100 and 200 meters last year.
More history was written at the Christian Coleman Invitational in the women’s 100 meters. Jonesboro junior Yahnari Lyons clocked 11.40 and Alexander second Adejah Hodge finished with a time of 11.50. Both of those times are top 10 national times this season and were faster than Westlake’s Colleen Branch (11.68), who won the state title last year with an 11.62. Lyons also took first place in the 200 meters with a 22.99. Her Westlake teammate Jasmine Harmon won the 100-meter hurdles with a 13.88. Last year’s state championship time in Class 6A girls was 14.64 by Dalton senior Meg Coleman.
