Edmund Burke Academy honors girls track & field, tennis state titles

Edmund Burke Academy honors girls track & field, tennis state titles

WAYNESBORO, GA (WJBF)- Your Hometown Boss Hog is officially in the books. In Burke County, excitement is high for Edmund Burke Academy’s spring sports season.
The Spartans won state titles in track and field and tennis.

Multiple Spartans are showing off some new hardware. The boy’s tennis team is boasting its first state doubles victory since 2014.

“They’re the dynamic duo. One is more laid back; one is higher strung. But they’ve been playing together since the eighth grade, so they know each other’s weaknesses ad strengths, and they continue to get better,” said head tennis coach Jamie Montgomery.

That dynamic duo’s chemistry has only grown over the last few years, and it’s now paid off.

“A lot of the people that we’ve played at state were actually singles players playing doubles, so they didn’t have the chemistry we have. A lot of them were better players we were, and because of that chemistry, we were able to win the matches we did,” said tennis state champion Charlie Dentry.

“At one point during our match, one was at the net, one was back, and we were moving in sync, you know so it was exactly right behind me,” said tennis state champion Andrew Cates.

Also, in sync this spring is the girls track and field team. They’ve broken 13 out of 17 records over the past four years across multiple events. Senior Leila Eastmead has five of those records.

“I think it goes to show some of the quality traits that I have. You have to think there’s dedication, there’s perseverance, you have to keep trying. That doesn’t only pertain to sports, but how I live my life and how I do in school,” Eastmead said.

The senior isn’t the only one who’s hard work has come to fruition. A couple underclassmen also won their respective events in the pole vault and high jump.

“It feels really good, because my other brother Jackson did it, and he won it twice, and I’m trying to win more than he did,” said pole vault champion Aubrey Griffin.

“I’m very happy about it. Last year, I was very close to winning, and I didn’t so I’m happy that I did it this year,” said high jump champion Bella Williams.

Head coach Monika Mobley believes the future of the program is in good hands.

“We have a very young team that has many records here already and has been on the podium at the state several times already. I believe the next three years should be state championships for Edmund burke girls,” Mobley said.