HALLSVILLE, Texas -- The Pleasant Grove varsity boys track team was finally able to compete in a full track meet for the second time this season Friday in the Tommy Miller Relays hosted by Hallsville High School.
And they Hawks surprised some by finishing second to Lindale. Lindale totaled 101 points for first, followed by Pleasant Grove (93) and Texas High (83). Atlanta was a distant 10th with 23 points.
"This was only our second meet that we were able to complete the whole thing," said Hawks head track coach Jonathan Darby. "In Mount Pleasant we were cut short and Atlanta none of our relays competed because it was also cut short due to weather.
"The Tommy Miller Relays had an elite field of East Texas teams. Finishing near the top shows the investment we have made in track and field and that we have really talented athletes and coaches."
The Hawks had a couple of first-place finishes in the boys. Their 4x200 relay of Palmer Gibbs, X'Zavion Johnson, Kaden McFadden and Jamarion Richardson broke the tape in 1:29.910.
"They have already broken a school record this year. They have a really good chance to be an elite group," Darby said.
Pleasant Grove's other first place came in the 300 hurdles where Keighston King took the gold medal in 39.530. He also was runner-up in the long jump (20-10) behind Liberty-Eylau winner Tavarious Neal (20-10). The Hawks' Johnson was third in the long jump with a 20-9 leap.
"Keighston King has been a big point getter in 110 hurdles, 300 hurdles and long jump," coach Darby said.
Mark Bultemeier was third in the 1,600 meters (4:44.891) and second in the 3,200 (10:09.761). Texas High's Max Likins held off Bultemeier at the finish first in the 3,200 (winning in 10:09.750) and running second in the 1,600 (4:44.831).
Max's older brother, Eli, was the first-place victor in the 800 meters (2:02.40) and PG's Hayden Wormington was second (2:03.396).
"Hayden Wormington runs the 800, 400 and 4x400 relay. He finished second in the 800 and fifth in the 400. He will have a chance to win both of those in the district meet," Darby said.
"Our kids in track at PG are really talented right now. We have a lot of balance across the board and kids who are competing at a high level in a number of events."
Liberty-Eylau high jumper Ja'Baari Tatum shared first place with a 6-2 effort.
Lindale also won the varsity girls division with 101 points. Texas High was fourth with 70, Atlanta fifth with 48 and Pleasant Grove 14th with 7.
Texas High made it a clean sweep in the junior varsity divisions, taking the boys title with 92 points and the girls crown with 159.33 points.
The annual Paul Parr Relays will be held Thursday at Liberty-Eylau's Harris Field. That meet will be the final tuneup for the Class 4A district meets the following week.
"We're really excited about the Liberty-Eylau meet next week and the district meet the following week. The district meet is going to be really competitive with the teams we go against," said coach Darby.
"Right now we're looking for ways to get everyone in the right spots to really maximize points on both the varsity and JV levels."
The District 15-4A meet will be held April 2-3 at Paris High School's track. Texas High will compete in the District 15-5A meet April 3-4 at Longview Pine Tree.