By By Chandler Myers
Escambia Academy’s Cougars continued their dominance on the track last Saturday by edging out Jackson Academy for their fourth straight AISA junior varsity state championship.
It was also a big day for the Lady Cougars junior varsity as they clinched the state championship as well beating out the Sparta Lady Warriors.
The Cougar boys were able to win their championship by beating Jackson in the last race of the day to win 138-131, while the road for the Lady Cougars was a little easier as they outscored Sparta 179-139.
Cougars head coach Heath Gibson said he and his team were excited to add another championship trophy to their trophy case.
Cougar Brandon Goins was the Most Valuable Player of the tournament as he scored 40 of EA’s points on his own. Goens was victorious in the long jump, the 100m, 200m and 400m races.
Michael Tohmpson finished first in the 800m race and finished second in the 400m to Goens and second in the high jump.
Jordan Sasser won the triple jump.
Escambia Academy’s Reed Bell won the shotput setting a state record with 41 feet 3 inches. Bell also finished third in the 110 hurdles.
John Patrick Sawyer finished second in the 2-mile run and fourth in the 1-mile run.
Mason Caraway was third in the discus, while Eddie Agrait placed fourth in the two-mile run.
Lastly, the Cougars 4×4 relay team composed of Bell, Sasser, Chad Cooper and Scott Brantley placed first.
In the Lady Cougars’ run to a state title, another team effort helped propel them to the win.
In the shotput, Allie Brooks finished first, Paige Allen placed second and Brooke McGhee came in third.
Lady Cougar Peyton Snider finished first in the high jump.
In the 100m race, Lacie Flowers placed second and Page Lancaster finished third.
Flowers also finished first in the 400m and second in the 200m races.
Lancaster placed first in the 300m hurdles.
Grayson Emmons placed first in the 800m race and third in the 300m hurdles.
Lulu McGhee finished fourth in the 400m.
Chelsea Ramer finished first in th discus, while Grayson Emmons placed second and Victoria Sawyer played fourth.
Gibson said that the Lady Cougars were motivated to win a state championship after winning one with the varsity team last spring.