THOMASVILLE – Thomas County Central’s track and field teams had multiple standout performances at the Class 5-A sectionals in Villa Rica this past weekend. Amid rainy conditions, the Yellow Jackets qualified multiple athletes for the upcoming state championships in Rome.

Hunter Smith led the way for Central’s boys team as the lone state qualifier. He earned first place in the discus with a throw of 151-1. He also placed second in the shot put, which also qualified him for state.

The girls team shined on the track. The 4×100-meter relay team of Qua’Mya Yearby, Zykierra Hightower, Jaida Pinkins and D’Laesha Spencer sprinted to a first-place finish with a season-best time of 47.64 seconds. The 4×200-meter relay team of Yearby, Pinkins, Ashanti Anderson and Wynter Sessions also qualified for state.

Spencer ran a personal best time of 12.19 (6^th place) in the 100 meters to qualify, and Hightower also advanced in the 100 meters (8^th place) and 400 meters (6^th place).

Kennedy Warren qualified for state after finishing fifth in the discus.

“It was not an ideal day for track and field, as we battled the rain most of the day,” Central coach Mikeal Lovejoy said. “It made the day more of a mental challenge than physical. We actually had our last full practice in an unexpected rain shower earlier in the week. I think our more experienced athletes handled it better than some of our younger ones.”

Central will compete at state this weekend, Friday and Saturday, at the Historic Barron Stadium-Maddox Track in Rome.