The McComb High School boys and girls track teams continued their magical runs over the weekend by securing a pair of Class 4A/5A South State championships at the South State meet at Long Beach High School.
Both teams have now won the district, regional and South state meets this season, on top of debuting a new home track with a pair of victories at the Camellia City Relays earlier this season.
McComb track coach Jeffery Gibson said what his boys and girls teams have accomplished so far this season is unprecedented in his career.
“I’ve never been part of a program where a boys and girls team both won the championship,” Gibson said. “It all starts with us all being so close. We don’t call ourselves a track team, we call ourselves a track family.”
Between both teams McComb student-athletes won in seven events, including two relay events.
Sharon Botley and Victor Montgomery both defended their No. 1 rankings in the South with wins in the girls 100- and 300-meter hurdles, and the boys 110- and 300-meter hurdles.
Jahmaad Harrell took home the crown in the triple jump as the team’s only other individual winner.
The girls 4x400-meter relay and the boys 4x100-meter relay teams were both victorious in the meet, as the teams confidently prepare for the State meet next weekend at Pearl High School.
“We are elated. We’re very excited to go compete in the State meet after what we’ve achieved,” Gibson said. “It has been excellent to achieve many of the goals we set as a team before the season. It’s been a great time for everybody involved, and we have a few goals left to achieve.”
Among those thirsty for a state championship are Botley, who will be defending her state crown this year, and Montgomery, who has been a contender throughout his career but has yet to claim a state championship as a hurdler.
Both teams’ success comes on the heels of McComb’s first boys basketball championship in 52 years this season as the school district continues to try and rebuild its image.
“I’m proud of these kids for their success but also how they got there,” Gibson said. “They’ve worked so hard and done it the right way. They’ve represented our school the right way and will represent us well at the State meet.”
