The state's top high school shot putter for 2018 will lead the Choctaw County boys track team in 2019.
A throw of 54 feet, nine and three-quarter inches by Israel Whitmore, then a sophomore, not only won gold at the 3A state meet, it was the best throw in Mississippi for the year.
Whitmore led the Chargers to a best ever seventh place finish at the meet. He also finished seventh in the long jump.
Other key athletes for the 2019 boys team include junior Raheim Taylor in the hurdles, seniors Julius Buggs and Taliak Davis in the weight events, senior Rakeim Ashford in the long jump, triple jump and relays and junior Brandon Hadley in the distance events.
Kendall Coleman, a transfer from French Camp will compete in the 200, 400 and high jump.
Trey Gant coaches the boys team.
The girls team will be led by junior Alaysia Weeks in the long jump, triple jump, 100 and 400 relay. She was third in the long jump, fifth in the triple jump and fifth in the 100 at the 3A North State meet and fifth in the long jump at the state meet.
Other girls include senior Adestinee Harris and sophomore Eilundra Curtis in the sprints and relays, sophomore N'kia Belk in the long jump and relays, freshman Amber Miller in the 400 and relays and freshmen Anelia Fair and Terria Davis in the weight events.
CCHS girls coach Jim Wood said he will be looking at some younger girls in practice meets for the distance events.
“These girls come to practice every day. They do the work to get better. I really like that about them,” Wood said.
The first competition for the boys and girls teams will be March 5 and 7 in practice meets at Winona. The first regular meet is March 29 at Pontotoc.
