Fort Mill Girls Celebrate State Title Triumph; Local Athletes Shine at SC 5A Division II Track & Field Championships with 8 Individual Wins

COLUMBIA, SC – The Fort Mill High School girls’ track and field team etched their names in program history once again, claiming the South Carolina 5A Division II State Championship title on Thursday at Spring Valley High School’s Harry Patrone Stadium. Dominating the competition with an impressive 100 points, the Yellow Jackets secured their second state track championship and the school’s remarkable 40th team state athletic crown.

Fort Mill’s commanding performance outpaced a strong showing from rival Nation Ford, who finished a noteworthy second in the girls’ standings with 70 points. This victory marks a significant milestone for head coach Lee Whitaker, who, in his debut track season, has remarkably led both the boys’ and girls’ cross-country teams to state championships earlier in the school year, showcasing his exceptional leadership across different disciplines.

Overjoyed with his team’s hard-fought victory, Coach Whitaker lauded their comprehensive effort. “I’m so proud of this team! They fought hard all night long for points at every turn. Everyone contributed across the board from distance to sprints to throws. They’re a very well-rounded team.” He emphasized the collective spirit and determination that fueled their success.

The Yellow Jackets showcased their depth and talent across a multitude of events. Their victory in the girls’ 4×800 meter relay, with a strong team performance, set a positive tone for the evening, highlighting their endurance capabilities. Individually, junior distance phenom Alivia Cleveland had a stellar meet, securing two coveted state titles. She blazed to victory in the fiercely competitive 1,600 meters, demonstrating her tactical prowess and stamina, and also anchored the championship-winning 4×800 relay team, showcasing her versatility and leadership. Adding to the gold haul for Fort Mill was sophomore Kaylee Rovenstine, who captured the state crown in the grueling 3,200 meters, displaying remarkable endurance and pacing. Rovenstine also secured a valuable third-place finish in the 1600 meters, further contributing to the team’s point total.

While Fort Mill celebrated the coveted girls’ team title, the Northwestern High School boys’ team delivered an impressive performance, finishing as the overall runner-up in the boys’ standings with a strong 61 points. Their success was highlighted by senior Austin Smith, who demonstrated his speed and athleticism by claiming the state championship in the boys’ 400 meters and securing a close second-place finish in the 200 meters. The Northwestern boys’ 4×400 meter relay team also showcased their speed and teamwork, earning a commendable second-place finish. Senior Andrew Morton also contributed valuable points with a strong 8th place finish in the 110-meter hurdles and a 6th place finish in the 400-meter hurdles. Junior Malachi McCray was a force in the triple jump, finishing third, while senior William Massey placed fourth in the javelin, showcasing the team’s strength in both track and field events.

Adding to the strong showing from the Fort Mill area schools, the Nation Ford High School boys’ team also had a successful championship, securing third place overall with 58 points. Senior Neale Johnson was a standout performer, claiming the state title in the long jump with a nation-leading mark and also dominating the 400-meter hurdles. Johnson’s versatility and athleticism were crucial to the Falcons’ success. The Nation Ford boys’ 4×400 meter relay team also demonstrated their speed and teamwork, earning a first-place finish, further bolstering their team score. Senior Patrick McLeod contributed significantly in the throwing events, securing a second-place finish in the shot put and another second place in the discus.

Other local schools also saw individual athletes achieve notable success. For Catawba Ridge High School, sophomore Bella Cardozo demonstrated her endurance, finishing a strong 6th in the girls’ 1600 meters and 7th in the demanding 3200 meters, contributing valuable points to the team’s overall score. On the boys’ side for the Copperheads, junior Brady Mack earned a podium finish, taking 3rd place in the competitive 400 meters. For Indian Land High School, sophomore Sequel Patterson showcased his jumping prowess, taking second place in the boys’ high jump, demonstrating his potential in the field events.

Despite the impressive individual achievements of athletes from other local schools, the spotlight shone brightly on the Fort Mill girls’ team for their championship victory, and also on the strong overall performances of the Northwestern boys finishing second and the Nation Ford boys finishing third, highlighting the depth of track and field talent in the region.

Here are the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners, organized by their high schools:

Fort Mill High School

Girls 1600 Meters Finals: 1st Place (Alivia Cleveland – 5:07.82), 3rd Place (Kaylee Rovenstine – 5:09.12)
Girls 3200 Meters Finals: 1st Place (Kaylee Rovenstine – 11:11.98), 3rd Place (Mia Zook – 11:21.75)
Girls 4 x 800m Relay Finals: 1st Place (9:30.92)
Girls High Jump Finals: 2nd Place (Marisa Jones – 1.60m)
Girls Pole Vault Finals: 2nd Place (Bela Grupp – 3.20m)
Girls Long Jump Finals: 3rd Place (Mia Williams – 5.53m

Nation Ford High School

Boys 400m Hurdles Finals: 1st Place (Neale Johnson – 53.41)
Boys 4 x 400m Relay Finals: 1st Place (3:18.23)
Girls 100 Meters Finals: 1st Place (Gabriela Brailsford – 11.83)
Girls 200 Meters Finals: 1st Place (Gabriela Brailsford – 24.30)
Girls 4 x 100m Relay Finals: 2nd Place (47.70)
Girls Triple Jump Finals: 2nd Place (Addison Pollock – 11.37m)
Boys Shot Put Finals: 2nd Place (Patrick McLeod – 16.17m)
Boys Discus Finals: 2nd Place (Patrick McLeod – 47.92m)
Boys Javelin Finals: 3rd Place (Lucas Barz – 50.77m)

Northwestern High School

Boys 400 Meters Finals: 1st Place (Austin Smith – 47.23)
Boys 4 x 400m Relay Finals: 2nd Place (3:19.11)
Boys 200 Meters Finals: 2nd Place (Austin Smith – 21.54)
Boys Triple Jump Finals: 3rd Place (Malachi McCray – 13.62m)
Girls Javelin Finals: 3rd Place (Irie Morton – 37.29m)

Catawba Ridge High School

Boys 4 x 800m Relay Finals: 3rd Place (8:06.35)
Boys 400 Meters Finals: 3rd Place (Brady Mack – 48.56)

Indian Land High School

Boys High Jump Finals: 2nd Place (Sequel Patterson – 1.95m)
Boys 4 x 400m Relay Finals: 3rd Place (3:20.86)

Overall Team Results (Local Schools):

Women:

1st: Fort Mill (100 points)
2nd: Nation Ford (70 points)
20th (tie): Catawba Ridge HS (8 points)
20th (tie): Northwestern (8 points)
24th: Indian Land (5 points)

Men:

2nd: Northwestern (61 points)
3rd: Nation Ford (58 points)
5th: Fort Mill (44 points)
10th (tie): Catawba Ridge HS (32 points)
17th: Indian Land (19 points)

Local Athletes Complete Results:

Here are the track and field results for all athletes from Fort Mill, Nation Ford, Catawba Ridge, Indian Land, and Northwestern high schools:

Catawba Ridge High School

Boys 100 Meters Finals: Joshua Dobson – 10.88 (11th place)
Girls 1600 Meters Finals: Bella Cardozo – 5:16.25 (6th place)
Girls 3200 Meters Finals: Bella Cardozo – 11:37.64 (7th place)
Boys 4 x 100m Relay Finals: 42.63 (6th place)
Boys 4 x 800m Relay Finals: 8:06.35 (3rd place)
Boys High Jump Finals: Ean Brown – 1.85m (6th place), Christopher Ballard – 1.75m (10th place), Jalen Cunningham – —
Boys Pole Vault Finals: Aidan L’Esperance – 3.35m (13th place)
Boys Discus Finals: Zachary Webster – 47.14m (3rd place), Michael Stinson – 42.59m (7th place), Brody Rivard – 38.66m (11th place)
Boys Javelin Finals: Zachary Webster – 45.87m (6th place), David Geo – 38.13m (15th place)
Boys 400 Meters Finals: Brady Mack – 48.56 (3rd place), Joshua Dobson – 49.05 (6th place)
Boys 800 Meters Finals: Jordan Kent – 1:59.77 (11th place)

Fort Mill High School

Girls 1600 Meters Finals: Alivia Cleveland – 5:07.82 (1st place), Kaylee Rovenstine – 5:09.12 (3rd place), Ella Demmerle – 5:18.85 (9th place), Marlee Cook – 5:29.58 (14th place)
Boys 3200 Meters Finals: Isaac Campbell – 9:23.86 (2nd place), Owen Ware – 9:36.13 (4th place), Hudson Haley – 9:42.61 (5th place)
Girls 3200 Meters Finals: Kaylee Rovenstine – 11:11.98 (1st place), Mia Zook – 11:21.75 (3rd place), Ella Demmerle – 11:21.84 (4th place)
Girls 400m Hurdles Finals: Kaelynn Fleming – 1:08.23 (9th place)
Boys 4 x 400m Relay Finals: 3:24.57 (7th place)
Girls 100 Meters Finals: Mia Williams – 11.87 (2nd place)
Girls 4 x 400m Relay Finals: 4:13.74 (13th place)
Boys 4 x 800m Relay Finals: 8:02.74 (2nd place)
Girls 4 x 800m Relay Finals: 9:30.92 (1st place)
Girls High Jump Finals: Marisa Jones – 1.60m (2nd place), Kayla Poulias – 1.40m (13th place)
Girls Pole Vault Finals: Bela Grupp – 3.20m (2nd place), Cambell Cahaly – 2.60m (7th place), Lucy St. Cressman – 2.45m (12th place)
Girls Long Jump Finals: Mia Williams – 5.53m (3rd place)
Girls Triple Jump Finals: Mia Williams – 11.28m (4th place)
Girls Shot Put Finals: Kate Marker – 10.39m (4th place), Addison Feinour – 9.63m (12th place)
Girls Discus Finals: Addison Feinour – 35.19m (3rd place), Leah Fricke – 21.80m (14th place)
Girls Javelin Finals: Kate Marker – 28.46m (10th place), Leah Fricke – 24.53m (15th place)
Boys 400 Meters Finals: Wyatt Gremillion – 49.11 (7th place)
Boys 800 Meters Finals: Connor Demmerle – 1:58.44 (8th place), Quinlan O’Toole – 2:00.55 (14th place)
Boys 1600 Meters Finals: Isaac Campbell – 4:21.23 (3rd place), Connor Demmerle – 4:25.50 (4th place), Owen Ware – 4:26.41 (6th place), Finn Leckrone – 4:30.30 (9th place)

Indian Land High School

Girls 100m Hurdles Finals: Caitlin Lindo – 14.84 (4th place)
Boys 4 x 400m Relay Finals: 3:20.86 (3rd place)
Girls 4 x 400m Relay Finals: 4:07.30 (9th place)
Girls 4 x 800m Relay Finals: 10:17.78 (11th place)
Boys High Jump Finals: Sequel Patterson – 1.95m (2nd place), Jaidin Robinson – 1.90m (4th place)
Girls 400 Meters Finals: Aubrea Boncore – 1:01.11 (13th place)

Nation Ford High School

Boys 400m Hurdles Finals: Neale Johnson – 53.41 (1st place)
Girls 4 x 100m Relay Finals: 47.70 (2nd place)
Girls 400m Hurdles Finals: Ariah Heard – 1:06.95 (6th place)
Boys 4 x 400m Relay Finals: 3:18.23 (1st place)
Girls 100 Meters Finals: Gabriela Brailsford – 11.83 (1st place)
Girls 4 x 400m Relay Finals: 4:02.88 (6th place)
Girls High Jump Finals: Katelyn McFadden – 1.60m (3rd place), Aiyanna Keene-Hickey – 1.35m (15th place)
Girls Pole Vault Finals: Cynthia Williams-Festa – 2.45m (9th place)
Boys Long Jump Finals: Neale Johnson – 7.70m (1st place), Anderson Corbett – 6.16m (12th place)
Girls Long Jump Finals: Addison Pollock – 4.54m (14th place)
Boys Triple Jump Finals: Neale Johnson – 12.32m (13th place)
Girls Triple Jump Finals: Addison Pollock – 11.37m (2nd place), Brianna Watkins – 25.50 (2nd in heat 1)
Boys Shot Put Finals: Patrick McLeod – 16.17m (2nd place), Jack Starkey – —
Girls Shot Put Finals: Aniah Randolph – 10.49m (3rd place)
Boys Discus Finals: Patrick McLeod – 47.92m (2nd place)
Girls Discus Finals: Itzel Daou – 25.50m (11th place)
Boys Javelin Finals: Lucas Barz – 50.77m (3rd place)
Girls Javelin Finals: Itzel Daou – 33.60m (4th place)
Girls 200 Meters Finals: Gabriela Brailsford – 24.30 (1st place), Brianna Watkins – 25.50 (3rd in heat 1)
Boys 400 Meters Finals: Chandler Hunter – 48.80 (5th place), Robert Saddler – 2:00.51 (13th place in 800m)
Girls 400 Meters Finals: Madison Brailsford – 58.68 (4th place), Haley Garcia – 2:24.16 (9th place in 800m)
Boys 1600 Meters Finals: Alexander Bentley – 4:28.68 (7th place)
Boys 3200 Meters Finals: Alexander Bentley – —

Northwestern High School

Boys 110m Hurdles Finals: Andrew Morton – 15.37 (8th place)
Boys 400m Hurdles Finals: Andrew Morton – 56.69 (6th place), Landon Pendley – 1:01.67 (14th place)
Boys 4 x 100m Relay Finals: 41.89 (4th place)
Girls 4 x 100m Relay Finals: 50.35 (13th place)
Boys 4 x 400m Relay Finals: 3:19.11 (2nd place)
Girls 4 x 800m Relay Finals: 10:21.59 (13th place)
Boys High Jump Finals: Bryston Martin – 1.65m (13th place)
Boys Long Jump Finals: Malachi McCray – 6.13m (13th place)
Girls Long Jump Finals: Kai McClain – 5.07m (8th place)
Boys Triple Jump Finals: Malachi McCray – 13.62m (3rd place), Josh Singleton – 13.60m (4th place), Xavier Wright-Meeks – 13.14m (7th place)
Boys Shot Put Finals: Danijay McMullen – 14.56m (8th place), Andre Pickett – 14.01m (9th place), Amarian Coleman – 13.72m (10th place)
Girls Shot Put Finals: Irie Morton – 9.76m (10th place)
Girls Discus Finals: Irie Morton – 29.00m (8th place)
Boys Javelin Finals: William Massey – 49.59m (4th place)
Girls Javelin Finals: Irie Morton – 37.29m (3rd place)
Boys 200 Meters Finals: Austin Smith – 21.54 (2nd place), Xavier Means – 21.66 (4th place)
Boys 400 Meters Finals: Austin Smith – 47.23 (1st place)
Boys 800 Meters Finals: Robert Saddler – 2:00.51 (13th place)