The finish line is almost in sight for the track and field team. With a standout season so far, there is hope that the 2027 season will continue the thunder.
After a strong performance at the GHSA Region 5-4A championships, the girls and boys both are preparing for a show out state championship this weekend. The final chapter of this 2026 season is being written in real time, and many are excited to see the outcome.
The GHSA Region 5-4A Championships served as one of the most important meets of the season: a proving ground where teams battle for regional supremacy and earn their tickets to the next level of competition.
For Marist, it was a moment to shine. The girls’ team delivered a dominant performance, finishing 2nd place with 145 points, while the boys came in 4th with 86 points.
But the standings tell only part of the story. The meet was nothing short of historic for the program. Athletes set 30 personal records, 28 competitors punched their tickets to sectionals, and 9 performances cracked the all-time top-10 in school history, a feat that speaks to just how talented this roster is.
Leading the charge was Morgan Waddell, who put on a show, winning three events and contributing an eye-popping 22.5 points to the girls’ total.
On the boys’ side, Charlie Woodward dominated the distance events, taking first in the 3200m and finishing second in the 1600m. Colin Blackmon brought the power, earning runner-up finishes in both discus and shot put. These three set the tone, and they’re not done yet.
Following the region meet, the next hurdle on the road to state was sectionals; a critical round of competition designed to further separate the field and determine who truly belongs on the biggest stage. Twenty-eight Marist athletes earned the right to compete, carrying the momentum of their regional performances into what would be another high-pressure test.
At the time of publication, official results from sectionals have not yet been released. What is known, however, is that this group showed up ready. Sectionals represented a pivotal bridge between regional success and the state championship dream, and the anticipation surrounding Marist’s performance is at an all-time high.
This weekend, the best track and field athletes in all of Georgia will gather for the GHSA State Championship: the most prestigious meet on the calendar and the ultimate measuring stick for every program in the state. For our track and field program, it is the destination this entire season has been building toward.
The stakes could not be higher, and the résumé couldn’t be more impressive. Several team members have already earned national-level recognition, with MileSplit silver and bronze elite rankings that signal this program doesn’t just compete regionally, it belongs in the national conversation.
All eyes will be on Morgan Waddell, whose three-event dominance at regions makes her one of the most dangerous competitors in the field. Charlie Woodward will look to carry his distance excellence to the state level, and Colin Blackmon will step into the throwing circle aiming to convert silver into gold.
Can the girls make a push for a team title? Can the boys climb the rankings and make some noise? The answers are coming, and they can’t get here fast enough.
Whatever happens this weekend, this season has already cemented itself as one of the most remarkable in Marist track and field history. Thirty personal records. Nine all-time school performances. National rankings.
A team that showed up, competed hard, and raised the bar for what this program can be. The trophies and placements will follow in the coming days, but the growth and grit of this group are already worth celebrating.
Our school community will be watching closely as the War Eagles take their final strides of the 2026 season, and if this year has taught us anything, expect them to finish strong.
