By Thomas Sellers Jr.
The first year they were denied.
In the program’s second season, the Millington Middle Stallion Track athletes made their presence felt. Now the third season will conclude May 20 on the campus of Austin Peay State University when the Stallions compete in the 2017 Tennessee Middle School Athletic AssociationState Track Meet.
In 2015, Millington traveled to Memphis to compete in the Sectional Meet but was turned away because of officials’ ruling. Stallion Head Track Coach T. Taylor made sure those technicalities wouldn’t happen again denying his student/athletes a chance to shine.
Last season Millington sent 7 athletes to the State Meet in Clarksville with 9 medals coming back to Flag City with Aliyah Williamson winning gold in the 1600m and 800m. Millington also won two bronze medals with Devonte Nelson in the 200m and Adrian Dowell in 800m.
This year Taylor and fellow coaches Dennis Alexander, Linda Miller and Jennifer Gallo are taking 11 qualifiers and two alternates to Austin Peay.
“It’s a goal that never comes to a finish,” Taylor said. “We want to establish a program while being a successful feeder program for the high school.
Recently the Stallions established solid footing as one of the best in the area with the boys winning Sectionals and the girls coming in second competing against schools like Munford, Brighton, Haywood, Woodstock, E.E. Jeter, W.E.B. DuBois and Union City.
That solid showing led to these boys qualifying: Cortez Lewis (100m); Cortez Lewis, Jaidon Morrell, Adrian Dowell and Colby Goode (4x200m Relay); Adrian Dowell (800m); Jaidon Morrell, Colby Goode, Adrian Dowell and Perry Harrold (4x400m Relay); Colby Goode (High Jump); Perry Harrold (Long Jump); and John Dumas (Shot Put and Discus).
Lady Stallions heading to Clarksville are Aliyah Williamson (1600m and 800m); Micaiah Haliburton, Alexis Jordan, Matrice White and Aliyah Williamson (4x400m Relay) and Kinzie Withers (High Jump).
“First year they didn’t even let us in,” Taylor concluded. “Last year we established ourselves as a player. This year we’re looking to improve on our showing at Sectionals.”
