The Newton High School boys’ track team made a strong impression at last weekend’s state meet in Jefferson, placing eighth out of the 43 teams in the state’s largest division, Class AAAAAA.

No one shined brighter for Newton than Malik Franklin. The junior won first place in the long jump with a distance of 47 feet, 1.50 inch at the meet and also placed sixth in the long jump with a distance of 21 feet, 8 inches.

Franklin’s teammate and fellow Newton track runner Artice Hobbs, a freshman, took eighth place with a distance of 21 feet, 1 inch.

Senior star Alex Grady also finished strong, taking sixth place in state for the 1,600 meter (1 mile) race with a time of 4 minutes and 21 seconds. He also took eighth place in the 3,200 meter run at 9 minutes and 33 seconds.

Franklin and Grady added a third accolade as part of the 1,600-meter relay team that placed seventh in the state, along with senior Duronte Carter and junior Shemar Ranni.

Carter also placed fifth in state in the 300 meter hurdles.

Coach Cortez Allen congratulated his team on a job well done.

Girls state meet
Newton also had several members of the girls’ track and field team make it to their state meet, which takes place Thursday through Saturday at Hugh Mills Stadium in Albany.

Senior Makayla Jackson will compete in the 100-meter hurdle, freshman Brianna Hayden will compete in the 100-meter dash. Newton’s 400 meter relay team will also compete and consists of Hayden, Shay Lawrence, Mercedes Booker, Keri Washington, Jazmene Jackson and Micah Sneed.