Holloways, Acker, Sams win state title

Fannin High School track & field athletes bring home medals from Georgia events

  • The Fannin County High School 4x800 meter relay team won the State Championship this past weekend. Team members are, from left, Ava Acker, Lindsey Holloway, Carlee Holloway and Karli Sams.
    The Fannin County High School 4x800 meter relay team won the State Championship this past weekend. Team members are, from left, Ava Acker, Lindsey Holloway, Carlee Holloway and Karli Sams.
  • Fannin County High School track & field coaches were very proud of each of the athletes who received medals. Shown back at the Fannin County High School track following the weekend success were, from left, front, Coach Miranda Roof, Ava Acker, Lindsey Holloway, Carlee Holloway, Karli Sams; and, back, Coach Alden Falls, Coach Jeff Kuna, Cooper Born, Coach Dr. Lucas Roof. The Holloways, Acker and Sams make up the 4x800 meter relay team that brought home a state championship.
    Fannin County High School track & field coaches were very proud of each of the athletes who received medals. Shown back at the Fannin County High School track following the weekend success were, from left, front, Coach Miranda Roof, Ava Acker, Lindsey Holloway, Carlee Holloway, Karli Sams; and, back, Coach Alden Falls, Coach Jeff Kuna, Cooper Born, Coach Dr. Lucas Roof. The Holloways, Acker and Sams make up the 4x800 meter relay team that brought home a state championship.

    Lindsey Holloway, Carlee Holloway, Ava Acker, and Karli Sams made Fannin County High School (FCHS) history by bringing home a state title from the Georgia High School Association 2A State Championships last Thursday through Saturday at East Jackson High School.

    The four runners, who make up the girls 4x800 meter relay team, claimed the championship by finishing in first place with a personal record time of 9:46:00.

    Head Coach Miranda Roof said, “This time places our relay team in the top 20 in the entire state (regions A through 7A).  This marks the first state championship in a running event in Fannin County High School history.

    The win also qualifies the 4x800 meter team for national competition.

    And the entire girls track and fieldteam repeated a bit of FCHS history by finishing fourth in the state out of 43 teams. This earned the girls a trip to the podium complete with medals.

    This marks back-to-back years that an FCHS track & field team has accomplished this task with the boys team finishing 4th last season.

    Several Rebel athletes finished in the top eight in their events. These were:

    •Lindsey Holloway placed 2nd in the 3200 meter run with a time of 11:22.01 and 3rd in the 1600 meter run with a personal record time of 5:14.77.

    •Karli Sams placed 3rd in the 3200 meter run with a personal record time of 11:29.04 and 4th in the 1600 meter run with personal record time of 5:18.00.

    •Ava Acker placed 4th in the 800 meter run with a personal record time of 2:23.89.

    •Zechariah Prater placed 2nd in the 3200 meter run with a time of 9:49.03.

    •Cooper Born placed 3rd in the Discus with a throw of 141 feet and 3 inches.

    These athletes earned trips to the podium and medals. “They are each considered one of the best athletes in the state in their event,” Roof said.

    Several other FCHS athletes turned in strong performances either individually or in team events. These were:

    •The 4x400 meter relay team made up of Airianna Galloway, Annaleigh Cheatham, Carlee Holloway, and Ava Acker placed 10th with a pesonal record time of 4:16.70.

    •Sydney Ford placed 12th in the 3200 meter run with a time of 12:58.61.

    •Sydney German placed 14th in the Shot Put with a PR throw of 30 feet and 6.5 inches.

    Roof said, “All of the coaches are extremely proud of these athletes for all of their hard work, dedication, and commitment this season.  We are also proud of how they showed up physically and mentally, ready to compete at the state championships.”