Clayton News Daily

From Staff Reports

From staff reports

The Riverdale Lady Raiders have accomplished much in the last few years; they've won county championships, region championship and numerous other meets but a state title was elusive ? until Saturday.

The Riverdale Lady Raiders won the Class AAAAA state track championship Saturday in Albany. Riverdale posted 47 team points, five points ahead of runner-up Collins Hill.

Redan placed third with 40 points, Marietta was fourth with 28 and Brookwood rounded out the top five with 26 points.

Clemson signee Tia Perry led the way for Riverdale as she won two individual events, the 400-meter dash and 300-meter hurdles, and was part of Riverdale's state championship 1,600-meter relay team.

It was Perry's second straight state championship in the 400-meter dash.

Teammate Dominique Thurman also won an individual championship. She won the long jump with an attempt of 19 feet, 1/2 inches.

This season marks the first time since 2000 that a Clayton County team has won a state championship in track. In 2000, the Mt. Zion boys won the Class AAA state championship.

Here is a rundown of how Clayton County athletes fared in the Class AAAAA state meet:

400 meters

1. Tia Perry, Riverdale, 55.36

2. Cherrell Lawson, Mt. Zion, 56.81

100 meters

8. Dominique Thurman, Riverdale, 12.34

200 meters

5. Cherrell Lawson, Mt. Zion, 24.49

6. Nicole Davis, Riverdale, 25.62

8. Shaka Dennison, Mt. Zion, 25.77

300-meter hurdles

1. Tia Perry, Riverdale, 43.33

1,600-meter relay

1. Riverdale (Centauria Olds, Nicole Davis, Morgan Joseph, Tia Perry, Shalondan Hollingshed, Amy Williams), 3:47.09

2. Mundy's Mill (Brittany McGhee, Renika Ezell, Christian Hunnicutt, Laide Onikoye, Teixeira Whiteside, Phylicia Loving), 3:54.18

High jump

4. Jessika Johnson, Riverdale, 5-2

Long jump

1. Dominique Thurman, Riverdale, 19-1/2

4. Shaka Dennison, Mt. Zion, 17-11 1/2

Shot put

8. Shayla Springfield, Lovejoy, 35-11

Pole vault

4. Janitra Shields, Morrow, 9-6.