Schley's Pina repeats in Class A 1,600

ALBANY - Schley County&#39;s Gabbie Pina repeated as the Class A state champion in the 1,600 meters Thursday night in the Georgia High School Association&#39;s girls state track and field meet.<br> <br> A sophomore, Pina finished with a time of 5:18.66 to easily defeat Brookstone&#39;s Jeanette Crawford, who finished second at 5:25.99.<br> <br> Pina took control in the final 100 meters, sprinting to the finish line.<br> <br> ``I wanted to do that sooner, but I didn&#39;t want to waste the energy,&#39;&#39; Pina said. ``I figured she would be coming to get me. I thought the race was closer than it was.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> The best race was in the Class AAA 1,600 meters. Westover&#39;s Jamilia Young surged ahead of defending state champion Harriott Kelly of Lovett with about 150 meters left, then held on to win the title.<br> <br> She finished at 5:23.77, while Kelly ran a 5:24.46.<br> <br> ``I usually stay back in the pack,&#39;&#39; Young said. ``The fourth lap is my kick lap. I usually kick it in on the last 200 meters.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> The tightest race in the 1,600 event was in Class AA where Holy Innocents&#39; Haley Kolff held off Providence Christian&#39;s Allison Kreutzer, 5:16.07 to 5:16.72.<br> <br> In the Class AAAAA 3,200 meters, Northwest Whitfield&#39;s Shelley Taylor captured the state title, finishing with a time of 11:09.31. Taylor finished as the state runner-up last season.<br> <br> Marist&#39;s Kristen Johnson, the Class AAAA state champion in the 3,200 last season, defended her title, running a 10:54.92. Johnson ran an 11:25.28 last year.<br> <br> Friday&#39;s first session features field event competition in all classifications. <br> <br> The second session features finals in Class AAAAA and AAAA, and the 3,200 finals in Classes A, AA and AAA.

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