The Shadow
T.K. Tomlinson made an instant impact in his first year as an athlete at Covington High School.
Tomlinson, originally from Jamaica, leads the 2019 edition of the area track and field honor roll.
After winning the 55 meter dash Class 1/2 state title indoors back in February, the Cougar junior kept up his winning way this spring before finishing as the Class 1 state runner-up in three different events — 100 meter dash, 200 meter dash and long jump.
Senior De’Andre Heighter also was a three-event, all-stater — 110 meter hurdles, 300 meter hurdles and triple jump — while freshman Hunter Tallman was the state runner-up in the pole vault and sophomore Shaun Smith Jr., placed fourth in the shot put.
The foursome propelled the Cougar boys team to a tie for fourth place in the state team standings.
Down at Alleghany, senior Maggie Thompson, who will run at Concord University next year, qualified for the Class 3 state championships in two events — long jump and triple jump — capping a brilliant career.
Thompson had area-best performances in six different events.
Thompson is joined on the honor roll by Mountaineer teammates Levi Counts, Laila White, Emma Nicely, Cassy Evans and Aimee Krabbe.
Austin Angle, Darian Williams, Kent Bullock, Ahmir Smith, Elijah Kahn, Brady Groves, Ethan Forbes, Logan Pritts, Brandon Motter and Makieah Mack represent the Cougars along with the all-state foursome of Tomlinson, Heighter, Tallman and Shaun Smith.
