Saturday weather update from SCISA
UPDATE on the Division I State Track Meet at Ben Lippen on Saturday, May 2
Based upon the weather forecast, Ben Lippen and SCISA Officials have delayed the start of the Track Meet until 12:30 Saturday.
The weather forecast has steady rain in the morning.
Saturday's schedule:
11 a.m. Ben Lippen Campus will Open (do not arrive before 11:00AM)
11:45 Weighing throwing implements begin
12:15 Coaches' Meeting
12:30 Meet begins
MileSplit SC will provide updates as made available.
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MileSplit SC talked with SCISA track and field coaches ahead of the 2026 SCISA Track and Field Championships. See what they had to say. The meets are May 1-2.
The list below is as of information received April 29.
Cross Schools
Coach name: Wendy Cummings - "Coach Wendy"
Years coaching: 12
Team name and mascot: Stingrays - Mascot Name - Storm
Team SCISA division: Division II
Girls Team Notes
Senior Elizabeth von Maur is no stranger to the SCISA State Track Meet. She ran track for the Stingrays in 8th and 9th grade; securing a spot on the State Team as a freshman. She placed 3rd in the State in the1600. Elizabeth took a break from track and focused on Cross Country for her 10th and 11th grade year. She came back stronger than ever for her Senior year and will compete in the 1600 at this year's competition.
Freshman, Sophie Garvey is a newcomer to the Stingrays after running track for 1 year in public school. She has been a solid addition to the team and shows great promise as a distance runner & leader not only for the track team, but also Cross Country. Sophie will be competing in the 3200 and the 1600 at this year's State Meet.
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2026 SCISA Track and Field Championships live results
SCISA Track and Field Championships - Division II
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Boys Team Notes
The Stingrays are bringing four male State qualifiers to the 2026 competition. Senior - Blake Burke, Junior - Shiloh Hunter-Daniel, Freshman, Jackson Welter and eighth grader - Noah Hodgson.
Blake ran for the Stingrays his freshman year. He took his 10th and 11th grade years off and focused on Cross Country. He came back ready to compete and secured State cuts in the long jump and 400 meter run. He just missed the 200 meter cut, but is elated to be competing in two of his favorite events as he ends his track & field career.
Shiloh Hunter-Daniel is a newcomer to track, but no stranger to the running scene as one of the Stingrays top 5 males on the Cross Country team. Shiloh burst onto the scene determined to qualify for States. He secured qualifying times in the 3200, 1600, 800 and 400. He just missed the long jump and 200 cuts. He will be focusing on the 3200, 800 and 400.
Jackson Welter started running for the Stingrays as a 4th grader. Once he was eligible, he moved up to Varsity and has been a consistent contributor and top finisher for the track and Cross Country team. Jackson qualified for the 3200 and 1600. He has chosen to focus on the 1600 for this year's State meet in hopes of obtaining a new PR!
Newcomer, Noah Hodgson has been running for the Stingrays XC Team for 2 years and decided to bring his love of distance running to the track. A solid contributor at each meet, Noah crossed the finish line with a qualifying time in his favorite event, the 3200. We look forward to watching him compete in this year's State meet as our youngest member of the Stingrays State Team!
Team Mission for 2026
We focused on commitment, resilience, perseverance and mental toughness this year. We strove to create a culture of encouragement, acceptance and accountability. The best compliment I received, several times, throughout the season from other team's coaches and parents was how impressed they were with how much our team encouraged and lifted up each other as well as the other competitors. Go Stingrays!
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Coach name: Jynne Stowe
Years coaching: 9
Team name and mascot: First Presbyterian Academy (Formerly Shannon Forest Christian School) Crusaders
Team SCISA division: 3A
Individual Team Analysis
Girls Team Notes
This season we are blessed with a strong senior class leading the way on the girls' team. We have two seniors who are continuing their careers collegiately in Kaitlyn Kelly, Furman University - sprints/hurdles, and Avery MacMeccan, Cedarville University - throws, and we have a good supporting group of senior girls who have been here before and are ready to compete in Claire Bostrom, Kaya Thompson, Leah Tysinger and Peyton Thompson. We also have a great group of underclassmen who are coming on strong as the season continues led by Armoniee Jackson and her sister Jordyne Jackson who have strengthened our throws program and as well as, junior Kathleen Flannigan who is one of our most consistent runners. I am really proud of how are girls team has progressed this season; their drive and dedication is unremarkable.
Boys Team Notes
Unfortunately, we have been plagued by injuries this season which has left gaps that need to be filled. We have had a strong group of young athletes who have stepped up, starting with sophomore newcomer Marshall Bears, pole vault/high jump/sprints and sophomore returner Ryan Godfrey, hurdles/relays. We also have a returning senior jumper, Reis Godfrey, who has continued to steadily improve throughout the season. Our throws program is led by junior newcomer Mike Sayegh and returning freshman Joah Martin. I am really proud of my guys. They were able to put together gutsy performances at our region meet and win their fifth straight region title.
Team Mission for 2026
This season our team motto has been "Trust the Process." We are an extremely young team, with only 8 seniors and 6 juniors, out of 100 athletes on the team, and it is easy to compare your performance or your progression to other athletes and forget about the process. Our goal this season has been to instill in our athletes the idea of trusting the process and that growth is found in the process. Track and field is a hard sport. You don't always see the progress in your results but the progress is there. And getting athletes through the mental blocks, the nerves, the anxiety and getting them to step up to the line or step up on the runway or in the circle is sometimes the biggest win for the season. Our goal is to coach each athlete to trust the workouts, trust the strength and conditioning, trust the blue print we have provided to get you to perform at the best possible level you are able to at this season in life and trust the outcome. We saw this come to fruition at our region championship where both teams took home the region title.
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Hammond School
Mission: Our mission this year is to compete at our highest level at all times and learn to be comfortable being uncomfortable.
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Heathwood Hall boys
Coach name: Tony Brown
Years coaching: 5
Team name and mascot: Heathwood Hall Highlanders
Team SCISA division: Division 1
Individual Team Analysis
After graduating six seniors, we're excited to see a lot of our underclassmen stepping up. Returners such as Jack Willcox, Ben Gisewhite, Davis Hagstette and Townsley Rivers gave us a strong base to build around with a talented group of freshmen and middle schoolers.
Boys Team Notes
At some point during the 2026 season, the Highlanders had led SCISA in the 100m, 200m, 800m, 1600m, 3200m, High Jump, and Long Jumps. Some standout performances has been Jack Willcox ('27) running SC top 10 in the 800m (1:55.73) and Keyzelle Thomas ('31) running a 7th grade national lead in the 400m (50.76)
Team Mission for 2026
Our Mission is simple, "Culture over Everything." Our goal is to build a strong culture here at Heathwood Hall, win, lose, or draw.
Coach name: Aaron Mau
Asst. Heather Goodwin, Zach Waters
Years coaching: 3rd year
2nd year, 1st year
Team name and mascot: Hilton Head Christian Academy Eagles
Team SCISA division: SCISA Region 3-4A
Individual Team Analysis
Girls Team Notes
HHCA will be represented at the state meet by five female athletes-one returning state participant and four newcomers. Abby Dorsch will compete in the 100m after posting a season-best time of 13.58 and finishing 4th at the SCISA Region III-AAAA Championships. Another newcomer, Ellie Rein, qualified in the 200m with a season-best time of 28.61, earning 3rd place at the Region Championships. Freshman Emma Kate Strebe qualified for two events: the 400m, where she ran a personal record of 1:04.8 to finish 4th at the Region Championships, and the long jump, an event in which she has won four meets this season, including a 1st-place finish at the Region Championships. Callie Kolarov, in her third year on the team, qualified in the 400m hurdles, finishing 5th at the Region Championships with a time of 1:15. Returning state qualifier Ariella Maharaj, now in her second year, will compete in the javelin after finishing 7th at the Region Championships with a throw of 25.37m.
Boys Team Notes
The HHCA boys team will be represented at the state meet by three newcomers and one returning state qualifier. Sophomore Keyvon Aiken qualified for three events-the 100m, 200m and long jump. He earned podium finishes in both sprints, placing 3rd in the 100m and 2nd in the 200m with a season-best time of 23.74.
Also making their state debut are middle-distance runners Max Zwilsky in the 800m and Ezra Craddock in the 1600m, both aiming to improve on their personal records.
Rounding out the group is returning state standout Joey Houpt, who finished 2nd in the state last year in the javelin. Joining him is teammate Marty, who will be making his state debut in the same event. Both athletes placed 2nd at the Region Championships with a throw of 45.76m.
Team Mission for 2026
We play for an audience of one. All of our achievements, podium finishes, and personal records are made possible by the One who has blessed us with these abilities, so all glory goes to Him first-not ourselves.
Our main focus this year, as our team grew from 20 to 42 athletes, was to clearly define and establish the events each athlete is best suited for. With the support of assistant coaches Brannon, Heather and Zach, we developed training programs both on and off the field to ensure each athlete is competing in the events that maximize their potential and allow them to perform at the highest level.
John Paul II Catholic School
Track and Field State Championship Preview
Other Girls Qualified for States:
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Coach name: Erin Jackson
Years coaching: Cross Country, 9, Track & Field, 3
Team name and mascot: First Baptist School of Charleston, Hurricanes
Team SCISA division: Division I, AAAA
Girls Team Notes
Senior runner Ellie Blitch, who holds our school records in the 400m, 800m, 1600m, 3200m, and 1-mile, will be running her 5th and last SCISA State Championships of her high school running career. She will be attending North Greenville University in the fall and running in their cross country and track programs while studying Sports Medicine.
Junior athlete Addison Townsend, who holds the school Shot Put Record, is participating as our only female thrower this season and her first time at the State Meet.
Sophomore athlete Hadley Burr, who currently holds our School Record in the 100m, 200m (2026 Region Champion), and Pole Vault (2026 Region Champion), will participate in her second year at the State Meet.
Boys Team Notes
Senior runner Miles Jackson, finished first in the Boys 800m at the 2026 Region Meet and holds our team top 400m and 800m times this season, will be running in his 4th and last SCISA State Championships of his high school running career. He will be attending the USC Beaufort in the fall and running in their cross country and track programs while studying Business Administration.
Senior Bates Walpole, who currently holds our School Record for the Boys Javelin, will be competing in his 5th and final SCISA State Championships Meet. He plans to attend The Citadel in the Fall.
Junior athletes Brody Jackson and Demarcus Vinson hold the top position in their respective events-1600m and 3200m for Brody and Shot Put and Discus for Demarcus and both top 3 finishers at the 2026 Region Meet. This is Demarcus' first time competing in the SCISA State Championships Meet for First Baptist School and Brody's 4th year participating.
Team Mission for 2026
First Baptist School Track and Field's motto for the season was "compromising outside of meets compromises our performances in meets" to help us stay focused on our goals to help us achieve them this season and to compete well!
Northside Christian Academy
Coach name: Joshua Christmas (Head Coach), Shannon Jones, Coach Bost and Stephen McNeill (Assistant Coaches)
Years coaching: Coach Bost: 20+ years of coaching
Team name and mascot: Northside Christian Academy; Crusaders
Team SCISA division: 4A, Region I
Individual Team Analysis
Girls Team Notes
The girls team enters the SCISA State Championship Meet with a strong mix of veteran leadership and emerging talent, led by junior Chloe Jones, a four‑time state qualifier who has competed in the 100m, 200m, and 400m dashes and been a key contributor on the 4x100 and 4x400 relays since the program's inception. Ella Townsend, a senior and the team's premier 800m and 1600m runner, has delivered strong conference and regional performances and will continue her collegiate career at Anderson University. Promising middle school athletes are making an immediate impact, including seventh grader Hyatt Molony, a newcomer competing in the 400m, and eighth graders Hailey Gause and Kaylee Thompson, both returning for their second season in the 3200m run. In the throws, Mahaleigh Crosby, a newcomer, and Emma Spires, a returning athlete, have steadily improved throughout the season with multiple personal records. The girls 4x800m relay of Ella Townsend (12th), Hyatt Molony (7th), Kaylee Thompson (8th), and Jennifer Gause (8th) has consistently demonstrated effort, teamwork and resilience.
Boys Team Notes
The boys team heads into the SCISA State Championship Meet anchored by experienced leadership and energized by several young athletes who have made an immediate impact this season, led by veteran senior John Rogers, who competes in the 100m and 200m dashes and has anchored the 4x100 relay for multiple seasons. Mac Jackson, a sophomore, has made an immediate impact in the 400m dash and as a key member of the 4x400 relay, while Lauden Durgin, a freshman, contributes in the 3200m run and as part of the 4x800 relay. The boys 4x400m relay of Mac Jackson (10th), Luke Spires (9th), Lance Taylor (9th), and Ethan Rekers (10th) showed exceptional grit at the SCISA Regional Championship to earn a state‑qualifying mark. The 4x100m relay will feature John Rogers (12th), Mac Jackson (10th), Lance Taylor (9th), and Luke Glover (9th), combining speed, youth and experience against strong state competition. Together, these athletes reflect a program balancing proven leadership with meaningful contributions from its next generation of competitors.
Team Mission for 2026
This season represents a rebuilding and growth-focused year for the program, following the graduation and departure of several top performers last year. With a young roster and many middle school athletes already gaining championship experience, the mission for 2026 is clear: develop confidence, discipline, and competitive experience while laying a strong foundation for future success. The coaching staff is grateful for the leadership and consistency of veteran athletes and encouraged by the tremendous upside shown by the next generation of competitors as the program continues to grow.
Coach name: Brooks Smith
Years coaching: 10 at Orangeburg Prep 13 total
Team name and mascot: Orangeburg Prep Indians
Team SCISA division: Division 2 - SCISA AAA Region I
Individual Team Analysis
Returning
Girls
Senior: Morgan Newsome - Pole Vault
Juniors: Mary Legare Delaney - 200/400/Long/Triple, Emmaline Dangerfield - 100 Hurdles/Relays, Morgan Gue - 100/200/Relays
Sophomores: Gee Gee Riley - 400H/Long/Triple/Relays, Naomi McCutchen - 400/Javelin/Relays
Freshmen: Blakely Garrick - Hurdles/Long/Triple, Ella Sarvis - Pole Vault
8th Graders: Delilah Howe - Relays, Erika Martin - Shot/Relays
7th Graders: Carson Gue - 800/Relays
Newcomers:
Girls
8th Graders: Jordyn Baldwin - Pole Vault, Kennedy Lawton - Hurdles/Relays, Hannah Bair - Relays
Boys
Junior: Thomas Fanning - Shot
Girls Team Notes
Our girls have put together some great performances throughout the season. Our jumpers, hurdlers and relay teams have been our strength this season and we have seen multiple school records fall and are hoping to keep that momentum going into the state meet. We had a great group of senior leaders, but only one qualified for the state meet. So we are pushing daily to help that group go out on top.
Boys Team Notes
We had a really young group of boys this year, but they improved each week and kept striving to qualify. We only had one qualifier and that is Thomas Fanning in the Shot, who improved his personal best by over four feet this year. That is a testament to his hard work with our strength coach Michael Heath this off season.
Team Mission for 2026
Our goal remains the same each season and each meet and that is to go out and set a personal record every time you get a chance to compete. If you are getting better each week then as a team we will be in a good spot come May.
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Pinewood Prep
Coach name: Jake Birdsong
Years coaching: 7
Team name and mascot: Pinewood Panthers
Team SCISA division: AAAA (Division 1)
Girls Team Notes
The girls team is led by the distance running quartet of Abigail Chambrovich, Kiley McGill, Elizabeth Rankin and Evie Windham, all of whom have spent multiple years in the program and will be called upon to have strong showings this weekend. Rankin specifically has shown great improvement this season, shaving 12 seconds off her 800 time from last year, making her an athlete to watch in that event. Presley Weston, another longtime member of the team, will compete for points in the 100m hurdles. Newcomers Maddie Eidson and Parker Garst will also contribute. Eidson joined the team in late March and has a chance for a strong finish in high jump while Garst, a 6th grader, qualified in the 3200, 1600 and 800 in her first season.
Boys Team Notes
The boys team is led by Will Fields and Jeremiah Bowens on the track, who will both be critical to the team's success this weekend. Fields will run both the 4x400 and 4x800 while having a chance at a podium finish in the 400m hurdles. Bowens is the team's top returning sprinter and will have scoring chances in 110m hurdles, 200m and high jump. In the field events, Jacob Sweet is an athlete to keep an eye on, as he has a chance for podium finishes in the shot put, discus and javelin.
Team Mission for 2026
Having lost 75% of last year's point production on the boys team and 50% on the girls team, the goal for both teams throughout the course of the year has been to focus on taking steps forward with development, competitiveness, and winning habits outside of practice. The growth we've shown, coupled with commitment to consistency, is expected to translate into strong team finishes.
Years coaching: 23/
Team name and mascot: Spartanburg Christian Warriors
Team SCISA division: 3A
Girls Team Notes
The SCA girls team is led by junior Hadassah Moore, who has qualified in 3 individual events as well as part of our 4x100 relay. Hadassah is defending state champ in the shot, and also scored last year in the long jump. Carly Beck, newcomer Zoey Mahoney, and Cora Lankford have also qualified for State individually for SCA.
Boys Team Notes
The SCA boys team is led by senior Reece Acker, who has qualified in five individual events as well as two relays. Reece scored 17 points at state last year. Cam Bright was second in the javelin last year and is throwing better than ever this year. Myles Lancaster, newcomer Jayden Landrum, Noah Caffell and Caleb McEntyre all have qualified in two individual events.
Team Mission for 2026
Earn the Right to be Heard.
Coach name: Scott K. Gibson III
Assistant Coach: Daniel Bryan
Years coaching: 2 years for both
Team name and mascot: Thomas Heyward Academy Rebels
Team SCISA division: Division II, Region 3
Girls Team Notes
From our small team of girls ranging from sixth through ninth grade, Baylor Bryan qualified for SCISA State Finals with a throw of 23.32 meters in the javelin competition. She is only a seventh grader! She is an accomplish three-season athlete who simultaneously plays on the varsity softball team in the spring. This marks her second year on our track and field team.
Boys Team Notes
Among our boys, five have qualified for SCISA State Finals, as follows:
Senior Josh Gibson qualified with a time of 10.99 seconds in the 100-meter dash, a time of 22.60 seconds in the 200-meter dash, and a qualifying time of 46.77 seconds in the 4 x 100-meter dash. This marks Josh's second year in track and field. Josh is an all-around athlete who started on the varsity basketball team and has been recruited by Presbyterian College to play football next academic year.
Senior Tony O'Banner qualified with a time of 11.88 seconds in the 100-meter dash, a time of 46.77 seconds in the 4x100-meter relay, a throw of 12.83 meters in the shot put, and a throw of 42.67 meters in the javelin. This marks Tony's first year in track and field. Tony is also an all-around athlete, for example, a 1000-point basketball player, and has also been recruited by Presbyterian College to play football next academic year with his classmate and teammate Josh Gibson.
Senior Jayden Powell qualified with a time of 55.64 seconds in the 400-meter dash, and a time of 46.77 in the 4x100-meter relay. This marks his second year in track and field. In 2023, he won the SCISA Division II cross-country SCISA finals.
Sophomore Noah Theurer qualified with a time of 46.77 seconds in the 4x100-meter relay. This marks his first year in track. Noah is also a talented soccer player and competes on a club team.
Sophomore Ben Gibson, brother of senior Josh Gibson, qualified with a time of 47.55 in the 4x100-meter dash. This marks his first year in track and field. He, too, is an excellent athlete participating in varsity football and basketball. An injury has unfortunately hampered him beginning mid-season.
Team Mission for 2026
To compete, to win, to develop new track and field scholar-athletes, and to demonstrate good sportsmanship in all that we do.
Coach: Bill Truman (7th Year)
Classification: SCISA Division AAAA
Team Mission
"Our focus is to represent our school with pride and integrity and take care of what we can control. If we get better every time we compete, winning will take care of itself." - Bill Truman
Girls Team Analysis
The Lady Titans boast a balanced roster with significant scoring potential in distance, sprints, and field events.
Top Performer: Jubilee Lei: A powerhouse in distance; Region III AAAA Silver Medalist (800m) and Bronze Medalist (3200m).
Top Newcomer: Crai'Anna Waiters: An immediate impact athlete; Region III AAAA Silver Medalist (200m, 400m) and Bronze Medalist (100m, Long Jump).
State Qualifiers:
Sprints/Relays: Crai'Anna Waiters, Kloee Wilson, Gia Hieshetter, Morgan Pollet, Claire Brown.
Distance: Jubilee Lei.
Field: Claire Brown (Javelin), Riley Flowers (Javelin), Morgan Johnson (Discus), Morgan Pollet (Long Jump).
Boys Team Analysis
The boys' side features elite specialized talent, including a collegiate commit and multiple state-level medalists.
Top Performer: Dre'den Bethea: MS State Champion (100m, 200m) and Region III AAA Silver/Bronze medalist.
Top Newcomers: Garrison Copeland: Region III AAAA Champion (100m) and Silver Medalist (High Jump).
Jake Warren: State Qualifier in the 1600m and 3200m.
Notable Achievements:
Andre Jackson: 2025 State AAAA Silver Medalist in Triple Jump.
Jonathan Cottingham: Committed to Francis Marion University (Discus and Shot Put).
State Qualifiers:
Sprints: Dre'den Bethea, Garrison Copeland.
Distance: Sam Peel, Jake Warren, Chase Basta.
Field: Andre Jackson (Long/Triple Jump), Kevin Iheanyichukwu (High Jump), Garrison Copeland (High Jump), Jonathan Cottingham (Discus).
Key Strengths for 2026
Collegiate Leadership: With Cottingham moving on to the next level, the throwing program has a clear blueprint for success.
Vertical & Horizontal Jumps: Between Jackson, Copeland and Iheanyichukwu, the Titans are set to dominate the pits and bars.
Distance Depth: Led by Lei and Warren, the Titans have a strong engine for the longer races.
Saturday weather update from SCISA
UPDATE on the Division I State Track Meet at Ben Lippen on Saturday, May 2