Fort Mill Girls Soar, Catawba Ridge Boys Excel at Region 3-AAAAA Track & Field Meet

CLOVER, SC – May 1, 2025 – The track at Clover High School was alive with the energy of competition yesterday as seven area high schools battled for top honors at the Region 3-AAAAA Track and Field Championships. Under sunny skies, athletes from Fort Mill, Clover, Nation Ford, Rock Hill, Northwestern, Catawba Ridge, and Indian Land high schools showcased their speed, strength, and determination in a thrilling day of track and field events.

When the dust settled, the Fort Mill girls’ team has multiple wins, demonstrating impressive depth and talent across multiple disciplines. The Catawba Ridge boys’ team also celebrated as well, highlighting their strength in both track and field events.

The meet was a great success and the host, Clover head coach Heidi Haug said, “the region meet was a tremendous success, and we’re so grateful to all the coaches, assistant coaches, and supporters who made it possible. The camaraderie and sportsmanship on display were a true reflection of what makes our region special. It’s always inspiring to see athletes compete with heart while uplifting one another—there’s no other region quite like ours!”

Fort Mill Girls Dominate

The Fort Mill Lady Jackets proved to be a force to be reckoned with, accumulating multiple wins throughout the meet. This was a testament to their well-rounded team, with strong performances across sprints, distance events, jumps, and throws.

Leading the charge for Fort Mill were several standout athletes. Junior Alivia Cleveland had a phenomenal day, sweeping the distance events by claiming gold in both the 800m (2:21.77) and the 1600m (5:02.88). Sophomore Kaylee Rovenstine provided crucial support in the distance races, finishing second in both the 1600m (5:03.25) and the 3200m (11:10.05), where senior Ella Demmerle rounded out the top three (11:14.35).

In the sprints and jumps, junior Mia Williams was a key contributor for the Jackets. She secured second place in the 100m (12.08) and third in the 200m (25.79), while also leaping to victory in both the long jump (5.51m) and triple jump (11.68m). Senior Marisa Jones cleared 1.57m to win the high jump, and senior Bela Grupp soared to a first-place finish in the pole vault (3.33m), with freshman Heidi Ernst taking second (2.9m). Freshman Addison Feinour led the way in the throwing events, winning the discus with a throw of 35.66m, and junior Kate Marker placed second in the shot put (10.06m). The Fort Mill girls also showcased their endurance in the relays, winning the 4x800m (9:43.33).

Fort Mill head coach Lee Whitaker said, “Fort Mill finished their season strong with the region meet.  I’m very proud of the hard work and determination that they’ve exhibited this season.  For the girls to win the region and the boys to be runners up is a huge accomplishment and speaks volumes to the direction of the program.  Both teams are poised well to have very competitive and successful post-season!”

Reflecting on the season and looking forward to states, Coach Haug stated, “as for Clover High School, this season has been one for the record books—literally! Our athletes have set new personal bests and even broken school records, and their dedication continues to amaze us. Now, we’re laser-focused on carrying this momentum into Upper State and State. No matter what happens, this team has already made us incredibly proud, and we can’t wait to see how they finish this historic season.”

Catawba Ridge Boys Excel

The Catawba Ridge Copperheads showcased their strength and athleticism, earning key victories in multiple events.

Sophomore Joshua Dobson was a standout performer for the Copperheads, blazing to victory in both the 100m dash (10.78) and the 400m dash (48.90). Senior Cason McKinney added valuable points with a third-place finish in the 200m dash (22.41). The Catawba Ridge relay teams also proved dominant, winning both the 4x100m (42.77) and the 4x400m (3:18.89) relays. In the field events, senior Zachary Webster had an exceptional day, winning the shot put (15.37m) and discus (51.05m) and placing second in the javelin (46.99m). Senior Aidan L’Esperance cleared 3.48m to take second place in the pole vault. The Copperheads also finished third in the 4x800m relay (8:29.63).

The Fort Mill boys’ team demonstrated their depth. Junior Connor Demmerle had an impressive day on the track, winning both the 800m (1:59.04) and the 1600m (4:24.46). Sophomore Owen Ware finished closely behind Demmerle in the 1600m (4:26.67), and sophomore Hudson Haley won the 3200m (9:42.78), with senior Isaac Campbell finishing third (9:43.99). Sophomore Smith Stapleton contributed in the field events, placing second in the shot put (13.46m) and third in the discus (49.48m). The Fort Mill boys also secured a victory in the 4x800m relay (8:22.83).

Individual Highlights and Top Performances

The meet was filled many with outstanding individual performances. Rock Hill’s senior Khamoni Rockeymore-Crews showcased her speed, winning the girls’ 100m dash (12.01) and the 200m dash (25.43). Nation Ford’s senior Gabriela Brailsford took gold in the girls’ 200m dash (24.72). Clover freshman Eliza Grieves impressed in the 400m dash, securing first place (59.02), while Nation Ford seventh-grader Madison Brailsford finished second (59.85). Indian Land freshman Caitlin Lindo had a strong showing in the hurdles, winning both the 100m hurdles (15.48) and the 400m hurdles (1:08.20). Nation Ford’s senior Neale Johnson dominated the boys’ hurdles, winning the 110m hurdles (15.87) and the 400m hurdles (55.73), and also won the boys’ long jump (7.24m). Rock Hill’s senior Aidan Graham threw an impressive 56.26m to win the boys’ discus. Nation Ford’s senior Aniah Randolph won the girls’ shot put with a throw of 11.61m.

The Region 3-AAAAA meet provided a thrilling preview of the talent within the region. The athletes who placed high in their respective events will now look ahead to the upcoming state qualifiers, aiming to continue their strong performances on a larger stage. Congratulations to all the athletes and teams who competed!

Boys Events

• 100 Meter Dash:
  1. Joshua Dobson (Catawba Ridge) – 10.78
  2. Noah Yesh (Indian Land) – 10.86
  3. Devan Erby (Rock Hill) – 10.98
• 200 Meter Dash:
  1. Devan Erby (Rock Hill) – 22.21
  2. Noah Yesh (Indian Land) – 22.26
  3. Cason McKinney (Catawba Ridge) – 22.41
• 400 Meter Dash:
  1. Joshua Dobson (Catawba Ridge) – 48.90
  2. Chandler Hunter (Nation Ford) – 50.05
  3. Blake Hodnett (Clover) – 50.81
• 800 Meter Run:
  1. Connor Demmerle (Fort Mill) – 1:59.04
  2. Robert Saddler (Nation Ford) – 2:00.89
  3. Benjamin Notarangelo (Northwestern) – 2:02.28
• 1600 Meter Run:
  1. Connor Demmerle (Fort Mill) – 4:24.46
  2. Owen Ware (Fort Mill) – 4:26.67
  3. Alexander Bentley (Nation Ford) – 4:30.49
• 3200 Meter Run:
  1. Hudson Haley (Fort Mill) – 9:42.78
  2. Alexander Bentley (Nation Ford) – 9:43.80
  3. Isaac Campbell (Fort Mill) – 9:43.99
• 110 Meter Hurdles:
  1. Andrew Morton (Northwestern) – 15.87
  2. Christian Butts (Indian Land) – 16.24
  3. Payton Vining (Northwestern) – 16.80
• 400 Meter Hurdles:
  1. Neale Johnson (Nation Ford) – 55.73
  2. Brennon Stradford (Northwestern) – 1:00.66
  3. Christian Butts (Indian Land) – 1:01.53
• 4×100 Meter Relay:
  1. Catawba Ridge – 42.77
  2. Rock Hill – 43.25
  3. Clover – 43.34
• 4×400 Meter Relay:
  1. Catawba Ridge – 3:18.89
  2. Nation Ford – 3:20.39
  3. Clover – 3:31.00
• 4×800 Meter Relay:
  1. Fort Mill – 8:22.83
  2. Clover – 8:25.44
  3. Catawba Ridge – 8:29.63
• Long Jump:
  1. Neale Johnson (Nation Ford) – 7.24m
  2. Zaben DeJacimo (Clover) – 6.45m
  3. Devin Agard (Clover) – 6.43m
• Triple Jump:
  1. Jeremiah Farmer (Clover) – 13.03m
  2. Anderson Corbett (Nation Ford) – 12.73m
  3. Dominic Hamliton (Clover) – 12.37m
• Pole Vault:
  1. Hayden Varnadore (Rock Hill) – 3.63m
  2. Aidan L’Esperance (Catawba Ridge) – 3.48m
  3. Porter Freeman (Northwestern) – 3.48m
• Discus:
  1. Aidan Graham (Rock Hill) – 56.26m
  2. Zachary Webster (Catawba Ridge) – 51.05m
  3. Smith Stapleton (Fort Mill) – 49.48m
• Javelin:
  1. Lucas Barz (Nation Ford) – 51.21m
  2. Zachary Webster (Catawba Ridge) – 46.99m
  3. Louis Helms (Clover) – 46.43m
• Shot Put:
  1. Zachary Webster (Catawba Ridge) – 15.37m
  2. Smith Stapleton (Fort Mill) – 13.46m
  3. Mason Grier (Northwestern) – 13.00m

Girls Events

• 100 Meter Dash:
  1. Khamoni Rockeymore-Crews (Rock Hill) – 12.01
  2. Mia Williams (Fort Mill) – 12.08
  3. Aubrey Stevenson (Rock Hill) – 12.31
• 200 Meter Dash:
  1. Gabriela Brailsford (Nation Ford) – 24.72
  2. Khamoni Rockeymore-Crews (Rock Hill) – 25.43
  3. Mia Williams (Fort Mill) – 25.79
• 400 Meter Dash:
  1. Eliza Grieves (Clover) – 59.02
  2. Madison Brailsford (Nation Ford) – 59.85
  3. Aubrea Boncore (Indian Land) – 1:01.11
• 800 Meter Run:
  1. Alivia Cleveland (Fort Mill) – 2:21.77
  2. Marlee Cook (Fort Mill) – 2:27.13
  3. Adalyn Newberry (Rock Hill) – 2:32.46
• 1600 Meter Run:
  1. Alivia Cleveland (Fort Mill) – 5:02.88
  2. Kaylee Rovenstine (Fort Mill) – 5:03.25
  3. Ella Nighbor (Clover) – 5:03.26
• 3200 Meter Run:
  1. Ella Nighbor (Clover) – 11:05.13
  2. Kaylee Rovenstine (Fort Mill) – 11:10.05
  3. Ella Demmerle (Fort Mill) – 11:14.35
• 100 Meter Hurdles:
  1. Caitlin Lindo (Indian Land) – 15.48
  2. Mackenzie Boggess (Clover) – 15.95
  3. KeMiya Mobley (Rock Hill) – 16.67
• 400 Meter Hurdles:
  1. Caitlin Lindo (Indian Land) – 1:08.20
  2. Kaelynn Fleming (Fort Mill) – 1:09.16
  3. KeMiya Mobley (Rock Hill) – 1:09.61
• 4×100 Meter Relay:
  1. Rock Hill – 47.55
  2. Nation Ford – 48.34
  3. Clover – 50.29
• 4×400 Meter Relay:
  1. Nation Ford – 4:07.78
  2. Clover – 4:15.05
  3. Indian Land – 4:17.91
• 4×800 Meter Relay:
  1. Fort Mill – 9:43.33
  2. Indian Land – 10:15.44
  3. Catawba Ridge – 10:23.39
• High Jump:
  1. Marisa Jones (Fort Mill) – 1.57m
  2. Katelyn McFadden (Nation Ford) – 1.57m
  3. Clara Powell (Clover) – 1.55m
• Long Jump:
  1. Mia Williams (Fort Mill) – 5.51m
  2. Mackenzie Boggess (Clover) – 5.44m
  3. Kaylee Jeannite (Clover) – 5.08m
• Triple Jump:
  1. Mia Williams (Fort Mill) – 11.68m
  2. Addison Pollock (Nation Ford) – 11.63m
  3. Mackenzie Boggess (Clover) – 11.48m
• Pole Vault:
  1. Bela Grupp (Fort Mill) – 3.33m
  2. Heidi Ernst (Fort Mill) – 2.90m
  3. Darcy York (Rock Hill) – 2.90m
• Discus:
  1. Addison Feinour (Fort Mill) – 35.66m
  2. Itzel Daou (Nation Ford) – 30.71m
  3. Irene Grubbs (Rock Hill) – 28.88m
• Javelin:
  1. Irie Morton (Northwestern) – 33.35m
  2. Amayia Mayfield (Clover) – 32.39m
  3. Itzel Daou (Nation Ford) – 31.04m
• Shot Put:
  1. Aniah Randolph (Nation Ford) – 11.61m
  2. Kate Marker (Fort Mill) – 10.06m
  3. Alyssa Thompson (Rock Hill) – 9.96m