Mike Jones took first for Tift County in the 110 hurdles. He is shown above in the 300 hurdles, where he qualified for area in third place.

TIFTON — The great unveiling of the Tift County High track teams will take place this afternoon at the high school track.

Originally referred to as “under the lights,” Coach Gregg Segraves said the day will start a bit earlier, with field events starting at 4 p.m. Tift will not compete against any other schools — only itself — with Segraves comparing it to football’s annual Blue and White game.

The solo track meet is to resemble the Blue and White game in another sense.

“We’re going to do it as a fundraiser,” he said.

Fans are being asked to bring bottled water or Powerade to the meet. The drinks will help get the teams through the season, which will formally get started March 3 with the local Andy Summers Invitational.

Tift was to have participated in a meet last week, but Segraves said the staff felt the team was not ready. Several athletes have been participating in basketball.

Segraves is heading the track program this year, with a host of assistants to help out, including Josh Allen, Mike Beeman, Monique Jordan, Bryson Daniels and Ashley Lowery.

The squads have many returnees from last year.

The Lady Devils see Emily Golden and Ashlee Golden return for distance races. Emily Golden was the team’s lone representative at the state tournament last year.

Besides the Goldens, Tift has Keishonna Branner in the 400 and 800. Ali Stone and Rylee Watson will handle hurdles. Denise Duggins ran the 100 and 400 a year ago and Nicky Jones was involved in sprints and triple jump. Shamiah Johnson has also shown promise in sprints.

For field events, Kiera Green will throw the shot and the discus. Segraves said she could “possibly be one of the best in the state.” Freshman Cali Conner joins senior Mary Alex Anders in the high jump.

The Blue Devils bring back Shamel Johnson and Quan Mathis for the 400. Tyler Ajiero, Quay Clines and Andrew Johnson are all capable of running the 100 and 200. Hurdlers include Danny Hill and Mike Jones. Brandon Graham runs the 400 and 800 and the Devils have freshmen J.D. Bengston and Beau Bengston on the track as well. This the fifth sport for J.D. Bengston this year.

Javian Neloms will participate in the high jump and triple jump and Wajaya Royster competing in long jump. Similar to Green for the Lady Devils, Segraves thinks highly of Blue Devils’ shot putter Chad Williams.

“He has some colleges looking at him,” said Segraves about Williams, “including Piedmont.”

William Goodwin will throw the discus.

Brae Pelligrino and Jacob Redd will bring experience to pole vault. So far, no Lady Devils have signed up for the event.

Segraves likes his teams and believes they will make a run at the region meet this year.

Until then, Tift County has a number meets in front of them.

The Andy Summers Invitational looks to be a huge event this year. Segraves said 15 schools (and 30 teams) have already signed up for the meet.

Other meets will be at Waycross (March 10), Fitzgerald (March 16), Lowndes (March 24) and again at Fitzgerald (April 13). Quad meets will be in Tifton March 21, March 28 and April 11.

Tift will host the Region 1-AAAAAAA meet April 18.