16 teams came to compete in the 12th installment of the Derrick Plankenhorn Invitational Friday afternoon with Statesboro High School coming away with a clean sweep for boys and girls.
    Despite SHS leading the way in both the girls and boys, host team Southeast Bulloch, coming off a strong performance in the Statesboro Relay, were looking to finish strong in its home event.
     SEB girls team placed fifth overall, while the boys finished third overall.
     SEB boys track and field coach Jeremy Gantt said he was pleased with his team’s performance, especially after tweaking the lineup just days before the meet.
     “We got some good marks today. One of my jumpers (Nigil Smith) has been struggling this year but he finally got some good marks in the triple jump so he got us some points today,” Gantt said.  “Cecil McCollum first time in the triple jump today went 40 feet 11 inches and I think he finished fifth overall. That’s points we weren’t expecting.”
     Smith finished second in the triple jump and tied for third in the high jump. Charles James claimed first place in the pole vault with a height of 12 feet six inches. SEB senior Montana Cotton had a third place in the high jump.
     Due to a player leaving the team, Gantt said he was forced to thrust McCollum into a new event. Because of his strong performance Friday, Gantt said he expects to continue to utilize McCollum’s ability in future events.
     “We had a kid hang it up on us so I’ve been trying to fill some spots. That mark right there for his first time doing it was really good,” Gantt said.
     For SHS, Iyana McKeever was the high-point leader pacing the girls. Demetrius Davis had a first place finish in the 100-meter hurdles, while Simone Kirkland broke a school record with a nine-feet pole vault score.
     First-year SHS track coach Josh Moree said his team has done exceptionally well as of late.
     “Our girls are definitely riding on a high.  We rely on our 4x400 to get the job done as well.  They have been our strength and our rock all year. We expect them to close it out and get the job done,” Moree said.
     SHS 4x400 boys and girls relay teams took home first place.

    Horace Holloman may be reached at (912) 489-9408.