Georgia's top high school boys track and field athletes: Meet the state’s best sprinters
By Darren Nichols | Photo by Ben Ennis
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be taking a look at some of the top track and field athletes in Georgia.
We'll start with the top sprinters in the boys division.
There are hundreds of standout sprinters in Georgia, and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive! Tag us on Twitter or Instagram at @SBLiveGA and let us know about other athletes worthy of fans’ attention.
Note: We'll also be posting lists of the state's top hurdlers, jumpers, throwers and distance runners in the coming weeks. Many athletes excel in multiple events, but we won't do write-ups on the same athlete on multiple lists.
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Dakarai Anderson, Perry
Anderson was a speedster on the track last season as a freshman, as he was able to break into the 10s. This season he has already broken his PR and has a top 10 time in the state of 10.71.
Denarrion Ard, Eagle's Landing
Ard exploded onto the 100-meter scene March 19 at the Roswell Rotary Relays. He ran a 10.56 to break the school record. The senior also set the school record in the 200 with a 21.35 two weeks earlier, so he's hit another gear in his last year competing in high school.
Isaiah Bond, Buford
Buford has a lot of speed on its team in the 100 and 200 meters, but Bond tops them all. He holds the current fastest time in the state at 21.04 in the 200 and second-fastest 100 in the state at 10.49. The Alabama football commit has been in the top two for the 200 meters for the last two years and holds the No. 2 spot in the nation. He is the reigning 6A champion in the 100 and 200.
Ahmad Carter, Perry
Carter is putting up some jaw-dropping performances as a freshman, as he currently sits in the top 5 on Georgia’s list for the 100 meters. He ran a 10.68 on March 10, and this young man is far from done dropping jaws with his speed.
Jace Coleman, Stephenson
Stephenson has seen some serious speed come through its doors, but Coleman has stood out among the pack. He has the school record for the 100 meters (10.58) and is second in school history in the 200 meters (21.45). Coleman has the potential to shatter those records and more because he is only a junior.
Rashun Fountain, Heritage (Conyers)
Fountain has already etched his name in the Heritage record books. He holds school records in the 100 and 200 meters and is top five in the state in the 200 at 21.63. Fountain is still looking to break his PR from last season, and considering his progression, it won’t last long.
Aveion Hayes, Campbell
Hayes has a chance to break the school record in the 100 and 200 meters in only his junior season. His PR of 22.02 in the 200 is 11th in the state, and he's .02 seconds away from breaking the 100-meter school record of 10.80.
Anfernee Jackson, Richmond Hill
Jackson has gotten off to a flying start in his senior season. He's cracked the top 10 in the state in the 100 and 200 meters this month, including a PR of 21.86 in the 200 on March 19 at the Bob Hayes Invitational.
Joshua Knox, McEachern
Knox is McEachern’s go-to guy in the 100 and 200 meters. He is No. 4 all-time in both events in McEachern school history, and his sub 21- and 48-second times in 200 and 400 last year were good enough for top 10 times in the state.
Chris Nelson, South Forsyth
Nelson is one of the most dynamic track athletes in Georgia. He has the potential to capture the Triple Crown. He already owns the fastest 100-meter time in the state at 10.43 (which is top five in the country) and top three in the 200 at 21.42. Nelson is only a junior and has the potential to break a number of records before he's done.
Sidi Njie, Westlake
Njie is just a freshman, and he's already broken the school record in the 400 meters. He ran a 47.56 at the Christian Coleman Invitational, tops in the state this season. Njie has a lot of time to break more records in his high school career.
Tobi Olawole, Buford
Olawole has been the epitome of grinding out success over time. He started his high school career with a 24.03 in the 200 meters, and now as a senior he has hit a PR of 21.64, which is top-five in the state this season.
Jaiden Patterson, Mill Creek
Patterson is starting off his sophomore season right. He has already hit his PR in the 400 meters of 49.09 which is good for eighth. Expect him to keep rising toward that top spot alongside Njie.
Zion Ragins, Jones County
Ragins clocked a 10.37 last season in the 100 meters, which would be No. 1 in the state this season. His average 100 time is around 10.5-10.6, but he's shown he can burn the track up for record times. Ragins will look to ramp up his time and try to defend his 100- and 200-meter title in 5A.
John Robinson IV, King’s Ridge Christian
Robinson is the reigning Class A Private state champion in the 100 and 200 meters. He posted a 10.61 in the 100 and 21.57 in the 200, he will look to win back-to-back titles in both.
Na’Seir Samuel, Benedictine
Underclassmen are taking over the sprinting game this season. Samuel is a sophomore and already top five in the 100 meters with a 10.68. This is Samuel’s first year on the track, so it is only up from here as he gets more experience.
Rodney Shelley, Langston Hughes
After a historic season on the football field, Shelley is making his mark on the track. His 22.01 in the 200 meters is top 10 in the state and his PR of 48.90 in the 400 on March 19 at the Campbell Invitational is good for fifth in the state.
Tydreke Thomas, Lowndes
Thomas posted a PR of 10.52 in the 100 last year in his junior season, and he anchored the 4x100 team that clocked the fourth-fastest time in the state. He will look to run it back with his 4x100 team this season and protect his 100-meter state title from last season in the 7A state championships.
Victor Venn, Buford
Venn breaks the string of Buford wide receivers as the lone running back on the best 4x100 relay team in the state (KJ Bolden, Bond, Olawole, Venn). Venn recently ran an 11.01 in the 100 and a 22.23 in the 200 at the Christian Coleman Invitational.
Eric Young Jr., Allatoona
Young had a phenomenal junior season last year. His 200 (21.30) and 400 (48.07) times were good enough for top 10 in the state last season. He is the reigning 6A state champ in the 400.
