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SEHS’ high jumper Crofts signs with US Naval Academy
Harrison Crofts
Mustang senior Harrison Crofts clears the bar at 6.6 inches just short of his personal best of 6.7 inches. (Photo by Gilbert Miller/Effingham Herald.)

By Donald Heath

Special for the Effingham Herald



GUYTON – It was a great week for South Effingham high jumper Harrison Crofts. Another couple of inches at Mustang Madness on Friday night would have been the topper.

Wednesday, Crofts signed with Naval Academy to compete on the Middies’ track and field team. He’s the current SEHS record holder in the high jump at 6 feet, 7 inches.

Friday, he cleared 6-6 – a USA top 50 mark, according to MileSplit – before coming up short in three shots at 6-8. But it’s still early in the high school track season.

“I’m excited about having a chance to continue a sport I love and have a chance to serve my country,” said Crofts, who will have a five-year service commitment after his four years of education.

Crofts said Navy showed interest in the summer and, after applying on-line, he received a recommendation from Representative (R-GA, First District) Buddy Carter. Crofts called Carter’s staff “Professional, well-run and probably why the whole process went smoothly.”

And Crofts admits being equally impressed with Navy track and field recruiting coordinator and assistant coach Chris Johnson.

“Coach Johnson showed he cared and the coaching staff was great. I can’t wait to see what I can do there,” Crofts said.

Mustang Madness turned in several top performances for South Effingham and Effingham County. The Mustangs placed first in both the boys and girls teams scores in the seven-team meet.

The Rebel girls were second in team scoring and the boys finished fourth.

SEHS sophomore Syraiah Wilkins was a three-event winner, setting a Georgia top 25 mark in the 100 hurdles with a time of 15.15. She also set personal bests with a 12.57 in the 100 dash and a 1:01.43 in the 400.

Another Mustang sophomore, Danni Lynn, dominated the shot put and discus with winning throws of 34-04.50 and 106-7 respectively. Her shot distance was second best in school history and the discus throw was a state top-25 mark this season.

And Kenny Carlton jumped past his competition in the hurdles while winning the 110-meter and 300-meter events. His 15.49 in the 110 hurdles was a top-50 state mark.  

Effingham County’s Braylin Nease skied 5-4 in the high jump – a top-10 mark in the state – to set a personal best.

Rebel sophomore Chloe Adkins set a personal-best with a 5:24.62 – a top-50 mark in the state – in the 1600. Adkins also led the field in the 800 with a time of 2:29.14

ECHS’ Dakarai Walker (200), Joseph Esco (1600), Cory Dekle (triple jump), Berry Randolph (discus) and the girls 4 X 200 relay team of Kayden Gadson, Kameryn Watson, Deymi Ramirez-Romero and Kyla Hicklen also won events.

For SEHS, Adyn Easton (3200), Marcus Campbell (pole) and the boys 4 X 800 relay team of Nathaniel West, Bryson Bonorato, Adyn Easton and Ben Fluegel captured first-place wins.

Natalia Melegari (3200), Madison Mills (long jump), Allie Grassi (pole) and the  4 X 800 relay team of Lydia Alderman, Rebecca Long, Patricia Backlund and Melegari also won events for the Mustang girls.

Here are the SEHS and ECHS athletes who had top-three performances at Mustang Madness:

 

SEHS Boys – Ben Fluegel (1600, 4:52.82, 3rd), Trenton White (3200, 12:16.23, 2nd), Adyn Easton (3200, 10:38.17, 1st), Alex Fall (3200, 13:06.58, 3rd), Kenny Carlton (110H, 15.49, 1st; 300H, 41.95, 1st), 4 X 100 relay (2nd, 44.35), 4 X 400 (2nd, 3:52.15), 4 X 800 (1st, 8:54.93), Harrison Crofts (HJ, 6-06, 1st), Carson Cook (HJ, 5-06, 3rd), Marcus Campbell (Pole, 10-0, 1st), Alarik Gibson (Pole, 8-06, 2nd), Tyler Long (Pole, 7-06, 3rd); Karter Wilson (Discus, 104-06, 2nd) Gage Roberson (Discus, 103-10, 3rd).



SEHS Girls – Syraiah Wilkins (100, 12,57, 1st; 400, 1:01.43, 1st; 100H, 15.15, 1st), Lydia Alderman (800, 2:31.62, 2nd; 1600, 5:47.61, 2nd), Brenna Kicklighter (800, 2:49.91, 3rd; 3200, 14:15.27, 3rd), Natalia Melegari (1600, 5:52.66, 3rd; 3200, 12:41.18, 1st), Rebecca Long (3200, 13:18.62, 2nd), 4 X 800 (1st, 11:00.07), Kimberlea Coppin (HJ, 5-02, 2nd), Justine Nevels (HJ, 5-02, 2nd), Madison Mills (LJ, 15-09.75, 1st; TJ, 31-02, 3rd), Allie Grassi (Pole, 8-0, 1st), Carmen Neidlinger (Pole, 6-0, 2nd), Danni Lynn (Discus, 106-07, 1st; Shot, 34-04.50, T-1st), Cheniyah Jackson (Discus, 76-01.50, 2nd). 


ECHS Boys – Jaden Praylo (100, 11.24, 2nd); Dakarai Walker (200, 22.96, 1st), Joseph Esco (1600, 4:43.34, 1st), Cory Dekle (TJ, 42-01,1st), Berry Randolph (Discus, 116-07, 1st), Devin Aaron (Shot, 36-09.5, 3rd).


ECHS Girls – Kyla Hicklen (100, 13.04, 3rd), Jada Praylo (400, 1:04.25, 3rd), Chloe Adkins (800, 2:29.14, 1st; 1600, 5:24.62, 1st), Braylin Nease (100H, 18:06, 3rd; HJ, 5-04, 1st), 4 X 100 (52.96, 3rd), 4 X 200 (1:52.54, 1st), Kayden Gadson (LJ, 15-08, 2nd), Ashlen Messer (TJ, 31-07.50, 2nd).