Hutchinson leads Pope to back-to-back state titles

Josie Hutchinson closed out her high school career in style, sweeping the distance races to lead Pope's girls track team to back-to-back Class AAAAA state championships Wednesday at Spec Towns Track in Athens.

Hutchinson, who will run for Samford next year, finished with a time of 5 minutes, 5.38 to seconds defend her title in the 1,600-meter run, then ran 11:05.56 in the 3,200 to improve on the event she finished second in last year.

Aislynn Dunn added another individual victory, running 2:15.34 to win the 800. Hutchinson and Dunn were also part of the 4x800 relay team, which won the event title for the second straight year in 9:13.09.

"Josie doubling in the 1,600 and 3,200 was special to watch as she capped off one of the most impressive careers we've ever seen, with her signature finishes in both events," Pope coach Jerad Johnson said.

The four event victories helped Pope score a team total of 69 points to top Woodward Academy (49.5), Lakeside (Evans) (48), Chamblee (40) and Milton (39).

"When it was all said and done, we knew we would need to have a good day to hold off some really good teams, and these girls once again rose to the occasion and continue to impress us with their performances and their mentality," Johnson said. "I could not be more thankful for the veteran coaching staff that we have across the board and the extremely supportive parents, booster club, and school admin to make these moments possible and so special."

Kennesaw Mountain's Ava Okeke also won an individual title, clearing a height of 13 feet in the pole vault.

In all, athletes from Cobb County won 18 individual or relay event titles across all classifications.

Whitefield Academy's Abby Holsinger and Mt. Bethel Christian's Marai Bell dominated the field events in the Class A-AAA Private meet.

Holsinger won the long jump (19-2), triple jump (40-6.5) and finished second in the pole vault (12-6). Bell won the discus (148-0) and finished third in the shot put (37-8).

Whitefield (30.5) finished 10th as a team, with Mt. Bethel (16) finishing 14th. Hebron Christian (100) won the state title, followed by Great Avenue Christian (70) and Landmark Christian (69).

On Tuesday, Marietta's Mary Nesmith added two more state titles to one of the best individual careers in Blue Devil athletic history.

Nesmith, who will compete for Florida next year, won the 1,600 for the fourth straight season, running a time of 4:47.76. She also added a third 3,200 title in 10:28.52, winning the event by more than 16 seconds, and was also part of the victorious 4x800 relay team for the fourth straight year.

Nesmith, who also leads Marietta's decorated cross country program, finished her career with eight individual track and field state titles, and her efforts helped Marietta to a second-place finish in Class AAAAAA.

Buford won the team title with 80.5 points. Walton (51) was third, followed by Westlake (45) and Heritage (35.33). McEachern (34) was seventh, while Harrison and North Cobb (24 each) tied for 12th.

McEachern's Mina Lovelace swept the sprints, winning the 100 (11.79) and 200 (23.61).

Walton's Ayla Inan won the discus (144-10) and North Cobb's Zoe Oye won the high jump (5-foot-8).

On Monday, Kell's Miley Booker ran 11.73 to win the 100 in Class AAAA. It helped the Longhorns finish sixth with a total of 34 points. Harris County (82) won the title, followed by Westminster (57) and North Oconee (54).

In the boys meets, Kell's Justin Arojundade won the Class AAAA long jump (23-7) and finished third in the triple jump (48-6.5). Allatoona's 4x800 relay team was runner-up in 7:55.13

Mount Paran Christian's Dillon Binion won the Class A-AAA Private high jump with a leap of 6-4.

In Class AAAAA, Kennesaw Mountain's Ben Chisamore (13-6) finished second in the pole vault, while Marietta's Nasir Williams (49-5.5) was second in the Class AAAAAA triple jump.

Kennesaw Mountain was Cobb County's best boys finisher in Class AAAAA, coming in 19th with 15 points. Alexander (82) won the meet, followed by Langston Hughes (78) and Bradwell Institute (35).

Mount Paran finished ninth in the Class A-AAA Private with 28 points. Holy Innocents' (74) won, followed by Hebron (73.5) and Greater Atlanta Christian (63).

In Class AAAAAA, Harrison (18) and Marietta (12) were 13th and 17th, respectively. Carrollton (84) won the title, followed by Richmond Hill (72) and Norcross (44).

Allatoona (29) finished sixth in Class AAAA. Cartersville (70) won, followed by Benedictine (48) and Southwest DeKalb (37).

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