Two area track athletes win state titles

Staff Reports

South Walton and Paxton did not take many members of their track and field teams to the Class A state meet in Winter Park on Friday.

But those they did take made it count.

The Seahawks brought just two athletes to the meet and left with one state champion and one second-place finish. Paxton brought three athletes and all of them placed, including one taking home a gold medal, and finished 10th overall as a team.

Baker also had one athlete place, while Rocky Bayou Christian just missed out in numerous events.

For South Walton, Katherine Register defended her pole vault title with another victory. The senior cleared a personal-best 11 feet, 6 inches to take home the top honor. On the other side, Charlie Tidwell was second in the discus with a throw of 143 feet, 8 inches.

Paxton's medalist trip was led by Erin Walker, who was impressive in winning the title in the discus. Walker's throw of 128 feet, 6 inches was the best by more than 7 feet. Teammate Vikki Pepper also placed in the same event, finishing sixth with a throw of 109 feet, 11 inches. Katie Kinky completed her strong run through the championship season with a third-place finish in the high jump, clearing 5 feet, 2 inches.

Baker's lone top-eight finish came from Camaran Cook, who finished seventh in the boys discus with a throw of 127 feet, 8 inches.