Jemeka Parks leads Braves at Heard County Invitational Track Meet

(Franklin) – Junior Lady Brave Jemeka Parks scored 28 points at the annual Heard County Invitational varsity track meet held Saturday at the middle school and was named female MVP of the meet along with Shaw’s Breeanna Mahone who also scored 28.

Parks won first place medals in the 100-meter hurdles and the long jump and a second place medal in the high jump. It was an impressive number of points considering the talented field of athletes, many from larger schools.

In addition to the Braves, eight other teams competed at the meet including Shaw (AAAA), Northside Columbus (AAAAA), Lagrange (AAAA), Troup County (AAAA), Haralson County (AAA), Temple (AA), Brookstone (A), and Mt.Zion (A).

The Lady Braves (99 points) finished in third place  in the women’s division behind Shaw (1st- 170.5 points) and Northside Columbus (2nd-161.5 points).

Shaw’s Breeanna Mahone (L) and the HHS’s Jemeka Parks (R) shared the women’s MVP Trophy with 28 points each at Saturday’s meet.

Lagrange (157 points) took home the first place trophy in the men’s division besting Shaw (2nd- 142 points) and Northside Columbus (3rd-133 points). The Braves finished in fourth place with 51 points.

Senior Jasmine Cook had a strong meet taking first place in the girls Shot Put and second place in the Discuss Throw. Cook looks to be strong contender for a state championship upcoming in May.

Junior Shemeka Parks also grabbed a first place medal in the Triple Jump and Erica Emory did the same in the High Jump. Caitlin Newell received third place in the Pole Vault.

In boys events, Jonathon Hunt led the way with a rare combination of medals in the High Jump (1st) and the Shot Put (2nd).

Another likely contender at the state meet will be Braves outstanding senior distance runner Orlando Burgos who finished in second place in the 1600-meter run and third place in the 3200-meter run.

Head track coach Thomas Sickman was pleased with the outcome of the meet. “Jemeka Parks had an outstanding meet. For her to finish with the most points against such strong competition says a lot,” said Sickman. “I also think Orlando Burgos is primed for a strong run at the state meet this year.”

Shaw and Northside Columbus did a lot of damage to the record books by setting eight new Heard County Invitational meet records. To see more photos of all the Braves medal winners visit www.facebook.com/BraveNation.