East Rankin Athletics triumph at MAIS District

The East Rankin Academy Patriots contended for the MAIS 5A, District 2 championship on April 17-20, at Canton Academy.  Despite severe weather, to include heavy wind, rain and hail, both the varsity teams were victorious, fending off challenges from fellow district schools, Simpson Academy, Lamar School, Park Place Christian Academy and Wayne Academy. Highlighted in the team’s efforts: • The varsity boys swept all four team relays (including a new school record of 9:04.86 in the 4x800). • Senior, Brayden Warner, remained undefeated in discus, picking up his 11th win on the year (to include a season best personal record of 173-9). • Eighth grader, Zack Price, broke a 24-year-old school record with his 2nd place finish in the 3200 meter in a time of 10:43.69. Price also took 1st in the 800 meter and 1600 meter races. • Sophomore, Addison Derrick, broke a nine-year-old school record in discus with a throw of 110-11. • Junior, Audrey Mayatte, broke her own school record, lowering her 3200 meter time to 11:56.30.

The following Patriot athletes finishing in the top four of each event qualifying to the North State Championship to be held in Cleveland, MS.

Front L-to-R:  Taylor Stroh (8th Grade), Aiden Harrell (Junior), Zack Price (8th Grade), RT Tate (Sophomore), Jon Riemann (Freshman), Cade Vowell (8th Grade), Coach Austin Banes. Back:  Coach David Hopper, Aiden Carlisle (Sophomore), Luke Wesson (Freshman), Gage Crapps (Sophomore), Jack Boyd (Senior), Brayden Warner (Senior), Liam Wilkerson (Senior), Taylor Woods (Sophomore), Colin Harris (Senior), Coach Steven Boozer.

Front L-to-R:  Leah Collipp (Freshman), Katie Simpson (Junior), Edie Tate (8th Grade), Addison Vowell (Sophomore), Emma Raines (8th Grade), Alibeth Wilbourne (Freshman), Savannah Smithers (Sophomore), Coach Austin Banes. Back:  Coach David Hopper, Jewel Baker (6th Grade), Emily Williams (Sophomore), Audrey Mayatte (Junior), Jillian Breland (8th Grade), Addison Derrick (Sophomore), Jensen Baker (Sophomore), Lydia Collipp (Junior), Abby Raines (Junior), Breland Moulds (Freshman), Coach Steven Boozer.

But our varsity boys too, 2nd at MAIS 5A North State, bringing home a trophy and a few new ERA school records. LtoR (front):  Taylor Stroh, Walker Sartin, Aiden Harrell, Zack Price, RT Tate, Aiden Carlisle, Coach Austin Banes.  (back):  Coach David Hopper, Luke Wesson, Liam Wilkerson, Brayden Warner, Colin Harris, Taylor Woods, Coach Steve Boozer (not pictured: Jack Boyd).