Track and Field Crowned 2018 GHSA State Champions

 

The Eagles tallied 93 points to run down the field on Day 3 and defeat 2nd place Athens Academy who ended up with 68, 3rd place Eagles landing - 62; 4th place Landmark; etc.; etc. RMA's 93 points were the 2nd highest point total for all 7 School Classifications. It was not easy - coming into day 3 the Eagles were down 31 points to Athens Academy - the Spartans had 55 points behind the United States # 1 ranked thrower and superb distance runners. But the Eagles had 9 chances to score on Saturday, so as the day went on - the lead began to shrink with each event and we scored 69 points on Saturday to bring home the ring. 

 

The Eagles went up 3 (66-63) with James Seymour's 50 yards come from behind win in the 800. The 800 (half-mile) was the race of the day as people were still talking about it as the 5000 spectators walked out of the stadium. When Charles and Issac went 2/3 in the 200 (somewhat of a missed call on the 200 finish - we all thought Charles clearly won) it was over, James; Demi; Issac and Charles finished the meet in style by winning the 1600 relay with a school record-breaking time 3:23.16. These kids were absolutely flawless on Saturday, as other runners false started or got DQed for one reason or another all around us, our boys never faltered or flinched; they were as focused and determined as any kids I have ever coached, and on the hottest day of the year they seemed to have ice in their veins. Charles Dimnwaobi was his usual awesome self-taking silver in the 100/200/4x1 and gold in the 4 x 4; Isaac Teasley was fantastic, running on a strained hamstring he took bronze in the 200; silver in the triple jump and 4 x 1; gold in the 400 and gold in the 4 x 4. Demi Lasisi had a strong meet taking 5th place in the 400; silver in the 4 x 1 and gold in the 4 x 4. James Seymour took gold in the 800 and 4 x 4 and Orlando Stevens got us 5 points when he took 4th in the 110 High Hurdles. 

 

The RMA assistant coaches were superb all year and particularly down the stretch, I can't thank Coach Brian Baize; Coach Dennis Whitfield; Coach Seth Brownlee; Coach Jacob Smith; Zach Garrett and Coach Dirk enough for all their hard work and perseverance. I would particularly like to thank the RMA family of teachers; staff; administrators and parents who were so encouraging and congratulatory to us all season, especially here at the end; this place truly is a family and I believe the sky is the limit for us in the future. I must thank the Good Lord above who brought this team together from all parts of the earth and all socio-economic groups, who also kept us together and healthy for the entire season, at some point in time I hope to share with you a miracle story about Issac's hamstring, it was truly a God-thing, but we will leave that for another day; I told the kids you must never forget where the good stuff comes from. You all are the best and so are these kids, and today they are the best track team in the entire state of Georgia.

 

Check out some articles from the meet:

Georgia MileSplit: Riverside Military Boys Roll, Wesleyan Girls Bring It

Gainesville Times: Riverside Military claims Class A Private schools state championship