The road to the SCHSL state championships is set, and the boys track and field Upper State qualifiers are ready to make their mark. With the state meet scheduled for May 14-16 in Columbia, athletes from the Greenville, Spartanburg, and Anderson areas have punched their tickets as top-three finishers, showcasing incredible speed, strength, and endurance.
The action kicked off with the Class 5A Division 1 Upper State meet on May 8 at Dorman, setting the stage for a thrilling competition. Other classifications followed on May 9, delivering standout performances across every event. Here’s a look at the champions and qualifiers who will compete for state glory.
In the sprints, Jeremiah Calhoun of Boiling Springs blazed to victory in the 100 meters with a time of 10.69, while also securing a spot in the 200 meters alongside Torrean Davis of Spartanburg. De'Marion Warden of Dorman dominated the 400 meters, clocking in at 48.20, proving his prowess on the track.
The distance events saw Luke Hurley of Boiling Springs shine, winning both the 1600 meters (4:16.62) and the 3200 meters (9:20.21). Kai Cofer of Mauldin took the 800 meters with a strong 1:58.48, while Liam McBryde of Wade Hampton and Sheron Smith of Boiling Springs also qualified in the event. Other distance qualifiers include Liam Novak and Sammy Joudeh of J.L. Mann in the 1600, and Hudson Kennemore of J.L. Mann and Ben Elliott of Mauldin in the 3200.
In the hurdles, Grayson Crowe of Boiling Springs claimed the 110 hurdles title at 14.35 and also qualified in the 400 hurdles alongside Andy Metz of Spartanburg. Justin Elliott of Mauldin and Kalifa Fofana of Byrnes added depth to the 110 hurdles field.
Field events were equally impressive. Amare Gibson of Spartanburg and Jamarius Brown of Dorman advanced in high jump, while Jamier Gaston of Dorman and Sentell Hall of Spartanburg qualified in long jump. Brown also made the triple jump cut alongside teammate Donovan Anderson. In the throws, James Porter of Dorman and Kamareon Davis of Spartanburg secured spots in shot put.
With these talented athletes representing their schools, the state championships promise intense competition. Stay tuned for more updates as these Upper State champions aim for the top of the podium in Columbia.