SOUTH CAROLINA STATE MEET

Nigel Ancrum Flashes Speed To Help Spring Valley Win Second 5A Boys Title

By Mary Albl of DyeStat 

Sprinter Nigel Ancrum led the Spring Valley boys to a second straight SCHSL 5A state crown with 77.5 points on their home turf at Spring Valley High near Columbia.

The senior won the 100-meter dash (10.33) and 200 (20.69). Spring Valley also won the 4x100 and 4x400 relays

Ancrum went on to place second in the New Balance Nationals Outdoor 100 meters final in 10.15 seconds, tied for US#5 and an all-time 

Dorman senior Bryson Miller won the 400 (46.05). 

In the distance events, junior Jake Liebert of Wando won the 1,600 (4:11.04) and 3,200 (9:05.95). 

Senior Arianna Williams won the 400 (54.65), 200 (24.33) and was part of the winning 4x100 as Blythewood won the girls 5A state title.

Fort Mill freshman Alivia Cleveland broke the state record in the 1,600 meters with 4:54.80. 

4A - Lower Richland High School, Hopkins

The Greenville boys cruised to the 4A title again with 86 points. Distance runner Knox Young led the way with wins in the 800 (1:56.53), 1,600 (4:22.21) and a runner-up finish in the 3,200 (9:19.08).

In the field, teammate Luke Schuller won the shot put (58-2), javelin (184-6) and was third in the discus (154-0). 

The girls 4A team race was an exciting one as Westwood and Ridge View tied with 70 points apiece for the crown. The Ridgeview girls swept the sprints — 100, 200 and 400 —and ended the meet with a win in the 4x4 (3:58.27).

3A -  Lower Richland High School, Hopkins

The Dreher boys won the 3A title as senior Sam Kolowith won the 1,600 (4:19.70) and 3,200 (9:33.92), while teammate Liam Jones was second in the 800 (1:59.58) and fifth in the 1,600. Both ran on the winning 4x800 relay (7:57.97). 

The Seneca girls easily won the 3A title again, putting up 92.50 points. Junior Micayla Collins won the 200 (24.97), 400 (58.22) and was part of the winning 4x100 (48.27).

2A - Spring Valley High School, Spring Valley

The Greer Middle College Charter boys' 76 points were more than enough to repeat as the 2A state champs. While Greer Middle College only won one event — the 4x800 (8:17.11), the team took second, fourth and fifth place in the 1,600 and second, fourth and sixth in the 3,200 for valuable points.

In girls 2A action, freshman distance runner Nora Brahim led the way for the Bishop England girls as she captured runner-up honors in the 1,600 and 3,200 and was part of the winning 4x800 relay as the team scored 85.82 points to win the state championship. 

Individually, Fairfield Central junior Sharmelle Holmes was the star of the meet, winning the long jump (18-11), 100 hurdles (15.09), 100 (12.23) and 200 (24.74) to score 40 of her team's 44 points. 

1A - Lower Richland High School, Hopkins

In 1A action, the Southside Christian boys and Whale Branch Early College girls both repeated as state champions. 

Individually, Christ Church Episcopal’s Deashun Reeder swept the sprints winning the 100 (10.90), 200 (21.98) and 400 (49.54).

Led by junior Talaijah Bartley (15.56), Whale Branch went 1-2-3 in the 100 hurdles. 

Team Champions

Class 5A: Spring Valley boys 77.5 points; Blythewood girls 93 points - RESULTS

Class 4A: Greenville boys 86 points; Westwood and Ridge View girls 70 points - RESULTS

Class 3A: Dreher boys 74 points; Seneca girls 92.5 points - RESULTS

Class 2A: Greer Middle College Charter boys 76 points; Bishop England girls 85.82 points - RESULTS

Class 1A: Southside Christian boys 126.50 points; Whale Branch Early College girls 78 points - RESULTS