First-timers and returning champions highlight rainy day at the GHSA Track and Field Championships

It was a rainy day of first-time champions emerging from the pack alongside former champions returning to glory as the GHSA Track and Field State Championships completed the season at four locations around the state --Romes Barron Stadium, Hugh Mills Stadium in Albany, East Jackson High School and Carrollton High School.

The Starrs Mills boys (Class 4A), Monroe Areas girls (Class 3A), KIPPs boys (Class 2A), Carver-Atlantas girls (Class 2A) and Claxtons girls (Class A-Division II) were the first-timers.

There were multiple programs that defended titles -- Westminsters girls won the programs seventh title and fourth-straight after topping Class 4A, joining Sandy Creeks boys (3A) which won its third-straight -- and Mitchell Countys boys (Class A-Division II) as the teams which defended last years championships. For Mitchell County, it marked the programs second title and first since 1957. Additionally, the Langston Hughes boys captured the Class 5A state title and have now won three-straight after winning Class 6A the past two seasons.

Landmark Christian's boys added the programs 11th championship after finishing atop Class 1A-3A Private with a 98.5-point effort, highlighting former champions returning to the top of the podium. Landmark secured championships victories in 1996-2002, 2016, 2019, 2021.

Bufords boys won in 1964 and 1982 before winning the Class 6A competition with 74 points, placing ahead of No. 2 Carrollton by just four points. Mariettas girls won the Class 6A championships, the programs third 2001 and 2018. Popes girls hadnt won a title since 1996 before finishing at the top of the Class 5A standings with a 96-point effort, 22 points ahead of second-placed Woodward. Sandy Creek (3A) won the teams sixth title 2007, 2008, 2015, 2023 and 2024.

Bleckley Countys boys won the Class 2A title in 2019, its first, before finishing atop Class A-Division I this season. Vidalias girls won the programs first title in 2018 before mounting the top of the podium in Class A-Division I this season. Greater Atlanta Christians girls won previous titles in 2005, 2009 and 2012 before leading the final 1A-3A Private standings this year.

Follow the link to see the full standings for each event on both the boys and girls side of the classifications provided by MileSplit.

Final Team Standings

Class 6A

Boys: 1. Buford, 74 points; 2. Carrollton, 70; 3. Richmond Hill, 36; 4. Chapel Hill, 34.5; 5. North Atlanta, 34.

Girls: 1. Marietta, 70; 2. Buford, 58; 3. Harrison, 45; 4. Heritage-Conyers, 44; 5. McEachern, 44.

Class 5A

Boys: 1. Langston Hughes, 99; 2. Alexander, 64; 3. Brunswick, 45; 4. Greenbrier, 36; 5. Dunwoody, 34.

Girls: 1. Pope, 96; 2. Woodward Academy, 74; 3. Langston Hughes, 35; 4. Chamblee, 31; 5. Milton/Rome, 27.

Class 4A

Boys: 1. Starrs Mill, 42, 2. Benedictine, 40; 3. Cartersville, 40; 4. Marist, 33; 5. Mays/Eagles Landing, 30.

Girls: 1. Westminster, 69; 2. Harris County, 66; 3. Cambridge, 58; 4. Pace Academy, 56; 5. Southwest DeKalb, 52.

Class 3A

Boys: 1. Sandy Creek, 99; 2. Jefferson, 79; 3. Calhoun, 49; 4. Stephenson, 44; 5. North Hall, 43.

Girls: 1. Monroe Area, 61; 2. North Hall, 60.25; 3. Jefferson, 51.5; 4. Cherokee Bluff, 50; 5. Monroe, 47.

Class 2A

Boys: 1. KIPP, 56; 2. Franklin County, 47; 3. East Jackson, 42.5; 4. Redan, 39; 5. Therrell, 32.

Girls: 1. Carver-Atlanta, 61, 2. Shaw, 58; 3. Booker T. Washington, 58; 4. Columbus, 55; 5. Redan/Savannah Arts, 44.

Class A-Division I

Boys: 1. Bleckley County, 58; 2. BEST, 55; 3. Social Circle, 53; 4. Bremen, 42; 5. Thomasville, 39.

Girls: 1. Vidalia, 70; 2. Model, 63; 3. Bremen, 57; 4. Bleckley County, 41; 5. Banks County, 39.

Class A-Division II

Boys: 1. Mitchell County, 54; 2. Warren County, 52; 3. Portal, 46; 4. Georgia Military, 43; 5. McIntosh County Academy, 43.

Girls: 1. Claxton, 74; 2. Elite Scholars, 52; 3. Metter, 50.63; 4. Washington-Wilkes, 47.63; 5. Charlton County, 46.63.

Class 1A-3A Private

Boys: 1. Landmark Christian, 98.5; 2. Trinity Christian, 74; 3. Athens Academy, 72; 4. Lovett, 49; 5. Hebron Christian, 46.

Girls: 1. Greater Atlanta Christian, 114; 2. Landmark Christian, 92; 3. Hebron Christian, 61; 4. Mount Vernon, 59; 5. Athens Academy, 39.

Adapted Wheelchair

Boys: 1. Wesleyan, 20; 2. Calhoun 10.

Girls: 1. Starrs Mill, 10, 2. Gordon Central, 8; 3. Calhoun, 6.