Meet Whiz Kids: Alaina Cook, Aliya Parker, Queen Alford,Rosie Parker, Ashleigh Rasheed, and Lexie Shield

Names: Alaina Cook, Aliya Parker, Queen Alford, Rosie Parker, Ashleigh Rasheed and Lexie Shield

School: Decatur High School

Accomplishments: These Decatur High School athletes combined their talents to win the AA State Championship at the Girls State Track Meet held May 12 – 14 at Hugh Mill Stadium in Albany. The five athletes tallied 45 points to defeat competitors from 27 schools across Georgia.

Points are scored according to how teams place in each of the meet’s events.

The four runners who teamed up to take first place in the 1,600-meter relay were Ashleigh Rasheed, Aliya Parker, Queen Alford and Rosie Parker. The girls’ winning time was 3 minutes and 56.97 seconds.

Rasheed took the state title for her triple jump beating 16 others by jumping 38 feet and 9 inches.

“Ashleigh is one of the hardest working kids we have,” said Coach Freddie Jones. “She never missed a practice, she is always full of questions and she has a very good work ethic.”

Parker, who told Jones she was determined not to go home without a team win, placed second in the 400-meter dash with a time of 57.77 seconds. Parker’s first love is volleyball, requiring her to split time between the two sports said Jones, but she gives her all when she competes in track.

Alaina Cook finished third in the 100-meter high hurdle, replacing alternate Lexie Shield who competed well all season but suffered an ankle injury at the regional meet.

“Alaina got us over the hump,” said Jones. He noted she performed exceptionally well considering she had so little time to practice with her teammates.

 “I would match our coaching staff against any in the state,” said Jones. “I can’t say enough good things about them.”