BOGART — Buford's girls held off North Hall, while the White County boys pipped North Oconee to the Region 8-AAAA track and field team titles on Thursday in Bogart.
The Lady Wolves racked up 164.5 points -- 34.5 more than the Lady Trojans -- while claiming nine gold medals over the course of the competition.
The Warriors, meanwhile, finished six points in front of the host Titans, 107.5-101.5. White County claimed three first place finishes but also took three silver medals and numerous other top six finishes to claim the region crown.
The top four finishers in each field and sprint event qualified for next weekend's Class AAAA East sectionals in McDonough -- where the top finishers will clinch a state championship berth.
A number of 8-AAAA stars will expect strong results at sectionals -- including plenty of Lady Wolves.
Erin Marsh and Alexa Rossum proved doubly effective for Buford, as Marsh won the 400 meters (59.14 seconds) and 300 hurdles (44.50). Rossum, meanwhile ran her way to championships in the 100 (12.01) and 200 meters (24.59).
They were joined by teammates Dominique Martin, who claimed the high jump (5-feet-0), Zikaya Wright, who won the discus (107-6) and Brittany Poole, who won the shot put (34-10.75). The Lady Wolves 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams also took home gold (48.65 and 4:03.23).
Buford was pushed throughout by North Hall, including Lady Trojans standout Trini Puente.
Puente notched victories in the long jump (16-10) and 100 hurdles (15.03), while Mary Seid won the pole vault (10-0) and Mattie Bohanan won the 800 meters (2:24.33). The Lady Trojans also won the 4x800 relay (11:13.75).
In fact the two teams generally dominated the girls podium -- save for the distance events, where White County's Jenna Gearing continued her stellar career with two more championships, winning the 1,600 (5:23.41) and 3,200 (11.25.74).
The Lady Warriors' star was joined by two White County boys and one team in claiming 8-AAAA crowns. Kenny Egerton claimed the pole vault (13-0) and Kaleb Crane took the 300 hurdles (40.86). The White County 4x400 relay also won (3:26.83). Cody McDaniels was also second in boys high jump, Jacob Sledge second in the long jump, and the 4x100 relay finished second.
While North Oconee finished second, Buford's boys also had plenty to cheer, including four individual gold medals and a 4x100 relay victory (43.44). Two of the titles went to KJ Anderson in the 400 meters (50.59) and 200 meters (21.92). The Wolves' Demonte Bennett also won the high jump (6-2) and Caleb Auer took the discus (151-5).
Meanwhile, North Hall's Mac Bennett claimed the shot put (49-4), and Johnson's Isaiah Del Campbell leapt his way to the triple jump crown (42-11.75).
