Vote for The State’s 2025 boys, girls Midlands track-and-field Athletes of Year
It’s time to vote for The State’s Midlands boys and girls track-and-field Athletes of the Year. Voting ends at noon Tuesday, June 3, and you can vote as many times as you like.
The winner will be announced next week along with The State newspaper’s all-area boys and girls track-and-field teams.
The nominees and polls are below. Please note that these polls are not scientific and are meant to be just for fun:
Girls Track and Field Nominees
Bayli Aiken, Hammond: Aiken won the 100 and 200 meters at the SCISA Division I championship. Aiken had the fastest 200 time (23.99) in the state this year at the Bob Jenkins Coaches Classic on April 25. Her 100, 200 and 400 times were tops in SCISA this year.
Keira Frye, Batesburg-Leesville: Frye won the discus and shot put at the Class 2A state championships this year. Her discus and shot put throws were tops in 2A and fourth and sixth, respectively in the state this year.
Payton Hightower, Blythewood: Hightower won the 400 and was part of the Bengals’ winning 4x400 relay team as the team won the Class 5A Division I championships. Her 400 time at state (53.12) was fastest in the state this year regardless of classification.
Aminah Rhone, Blythewood: Rhone, a North Carolina State signee, won the 100 hurdles and was third in the 400 hurdles at the 5A Division I state championship. Rhone’s 100 and 400 hurdle times ranked fourth and second, respectively, in the state this year and her 400 time was tops in 5A. She also had the top time in 300 hurdles at Ardrey Kell’s Need 4 Speed Event.
Tamara Steward, Gray Collegiate: Steward won the 100 hurdles, long jump and was second in the 400 hurdles to help the War Eagles to the Class 4A championship. Her time in the 100 hurdles was tops in 4A. Her 400 hurdles time and her long jump were both second in 4A.
Boys Track and Field Nominees
Jordyn Best, Ridge View: Best won the 100 and was part of the winning 4x100 relay team as the Blazers won the Class 5A Division I championship. His 100 time at state (10.52) was third best in 5A this year.
Demarcus Gaither, Gray Collegiate: Gaither won the 200, was second in 400 and was on the winning 4x100 relay team at Class 4A state championships. His best 100 (10.56) and 200 (21.23) times were tops in 4A this year.
Tydarion Grier, Fairfield Central: Grier won the 100 and 200 and was on the Griffins’ winning relay teams as they won the Class 2A track and field championship. Grier’s 100 time (10:31) at the state championship was the quickest 100 time in the state this year.
Ethan Moody, Richland Northeast: Moody won the 100 meters and 110 and 400 hurdles at the Class 4A championship. Moody’s 400 hurdles time (52:00) at the state meet was the quickest in state this year. His 110 hurdles time (14.05) was tops in Class 4A.
Zay Mathis, Hammond: Mathis won the high jump, 110-meter hurdles and was second in the 100 meters at the SCISA Division I championship.
Jack Wilcox, Heathwood Hall: Wilcox won the 800 and 1,600 meters and was second in the 3,200 at the SCISA Division I championship as the Highlanders won the state title. His 1,600 time was third best in the state this year.
Jayden Wilson, Westwood: Wilson won the boys’ 100 and 200 at the Class 5A Division II track and field championship. His 100 (10.47) and 200 (21.23) times at state were tops in Class 5A this year.
