THOMASVILLE — Thomas County Central’s pursuit of a region championship in track and field came up just short Thursday.

The Yellow Jackets’ 152 points fell just shy of Westover’s 159 in the Region 1-AAAA meet held at Hugh Mills Stadium in Albany.

“In was was a very closely contested competition that was literally decided in the last race, the boys track and field team finished second in Region 1-AAAA,” Central boys coach Mikeal Lovejoy said. “Although the team finished second, there were region championship performances in some events.”

Central’s Tykeem Wallace won the region in the 100-meter dash and 200-meter dash. Ethan Phillips won the region in the 110-meter hurdles and 300-meter hurdles. Ashton Jones won the region in the pole vault.

The 4×100-meter relay team of Al’marion Thomas, Jordan Jones, Travion Huewitt and Wallace won region as well. 

Jones and Jodee Penrice finished second in the triple jump and high jump respectively. Jeremy Roberts finished third in the pole vault.

The 4×400-meter relay team of Thomas, Ladarius Paytee, De’shaun Lovejoy and Phillips finished third.

Bryce Bodiford placed fourth in the 3,200 and 1,600 meters. Jones finished fourth in the long jump.

The 4×800-meter relay team of Josiah Ganga, Kennett Baggett, Derwin McCray and Bodiford broke its school record by 10 seconds with a time of 9:26.91 and finished fourth.

These Yellow Jackets will compete at Sectionals, set for May 8 in Columbus.

“We look forward to the competition in the next round,” Lovejoy said.