Track teams shoot for state this spring

Ke’Mauri Brown has new goals this year after advancing to the state track meet as a sophomore. 

“(I want to) really try to PR (personal record) in long jump and help the team out as much as I can this year,” Brown said. 

Brown is one of the key returning athletes for the Oglethorpe County boys track and field team, which is under the direction of Maurice Freeman for the second season.

“The ultimate goal of this season is to make a better push at the end,” Freeman said. “I think we had a lot of guys last year that made it to the final stage, which is to make it to the state championship meet, and they just took it lightly, because we’ve done well in the past at the state meets.”

On the other hand, the girls team is now led by co-athletic directors Mike Holland and Brianna Dickens, who took over for Tim Stoudenmire. He retired from coaching at the end of the 2024 season after leading the girls to three state titles in the past four years.

“I look at it more as trying to work closer to him, try to keep everything the same as it could have been if it were him running it,” Holland said.

Brown, who competes in the 4x100, 4x200, 4x400 and long jump, said making it to state his sophomore year was the greatest achievement in his track career. He was fourth in the region and 12th in the Class A Division I long jump last year. 

The girls return twins Sydnie and Kenzie Henderson, as well as sprinter Karman Bermudez.

Kenzie won the state high jump for the third consecutive year and was fourth in the 300 hurdles. Sydnie was second in both the 400 and 800 meters.

They combined with Karman Bermudez, who also returns this spring, and Carlee Appling to come from behind to win the 4x400 at the state meet and seal the title.

Bermudez also competes in the 4x100, 4x200, 200 meters, and sometimes the 400. She placed third in the region and 10th at sectionals in the 200 last year. 

“My main goal for this season is to have a good time and win state again,” Bermudez said.