A year ago Ni’Jalah Walker was a freshman just trying to figure out what was going on when she suffered a major disappointment. Walker had qualified for the 400 meter finals in the Region 3 Class A DI track meet when she got disqualified for a false start.

If there were any lasting bad memories the precocious sophomore sent them spinning into oblivion Tuesday as the Bryan County runner stepped up big time to win the 400m in the Region 3A-DII meet held at Bryan County in the time of 1:01.15, a full 1.22 seconds ahead of second-place Tyra Howard of Metter.

Walker’s win was one of two for the Redskins as the boys’ 4 x 800 meter relay team of the Summerford brothers, Will and Walker, Riley Shuman and James Hodge also took first in the time of 8:54.96, a blistering 25 seconds ahead of second-place Claxton.

With the top four finishers advancing to the sectional track meet May 3 at Warren County the Redskins boys finished second with 97 points to Metter’s 121 while the girls grabbed third with 94 points. Metter also won the girls meet with 153 points and Claxton was second with 127.

In addition to the 400 Walker also qualified with a third-place finish in the 200 and was a member of the fourth-place girls 4x400 place relay team.   

“She’s an outstanding athlete,” assistant coach Sean Coburn said. “She also ran the 4 x 200 (seventh-place) for us as an alternate. She’s an outstanding athlete, a cheerleader as well. Just a great kid to be around.

“She’s a hard worker---her and that whole group of girls we’ve got out this year---never complains. N’Jalah is a leader cheering her teammates on. Anything you ask her to do she does it. She’s a kid you want on your team.”

With the top eight at the sectional qualifying for the state meet barring any unforeseen circumstances, Walker appears to be a cinch to qualify. She qualified for the state meet last year in the 200.

If Walker can cut, Coburn said, a second or so off her time he believes she has an excellent shot at finishing first in the state, placing for sure.  He also said the same about the 4 x 800 meter relay team. Both the relay team and Walker’s times are among the tops in the state in Class A-DII.

Emily Johnson, who took a third in the state meet last year in the discus as a freshman, qualified for the sectional meet with a second in the shot put and thirds in the discus and triple jump. Defending state champion Jayda Jordan of Claxton took first in the discus.

Sophomore standout distance runner Abbi Stucker also qualified in three individual events as she took second in the 800 and garnered thirds in the 1600 and 3200 meters.

Others advancing include Braelynn Shuman who was second in the pole vault, the 4x800 relay team of McKinely Walker, Chloe Smith, Lila Hannah and Lexi Lane who were second and joining Walker on the 4x400 were Hannah, Lane and Stucker.

For the boys senior Ryan Harrington showed his versatility as he took second in the pole vault, was fourth in the 300 hurdles and was a member of the 4x400 relay team which was third. Others on the relay team were Anddreas McKinney, Shuman and Mauri Green.

Will Summerford was second in the 1600 and 3200, freshman Braeden Sharp was fourth in the 110 hurdles, McKinney was fourth in the 400 meters, Shuman was second in the 800, freshman John Roberson was third in the 3200 while Ben Clark was fourth in the 3200.

“We had some success, a couple of region winners, some seconds and thirds,” Coach Tim Adams said. “The girls have been extremely competitive and successful.

“The season has been fine,” Adams said. “We started in February and you kind of gradually bring it on. You want the kids to peak now, not a month ago. Every time they compete, we always remind them all they’re trying to do is beat the personal best throw, run time or whatever.

“The goal is to work better for the region, the sectional and the state. I feel good about the kids we’ll be taking to the sectional.”