ONE FEATHER STAFF REPORT
GREENSBORO – Cherokee senior Stevi Sutton took second place in the girls shot put at the 1A State Track & Field Championship at North Carolina A&T in Greensboro on Friday, May 9 with a throw of 35-7.50. She placed just inches behind Samantha Welborn, Starmount, who threw 35-10.75.
Sutton also took fourth place in the girls discus with a throw of 105-03. Welborn won the discus event as well with a throw of 112-10.
“I am honored to have been Stevi’s coach,” said CHS field coach Miranda Long Stamper. “She is a great student athlete. She shows great sportsmanship to all of her competitors. She has worked hard all year en route to a state championship, but it just wasn’t her day that day. I look forward to watching her continue her education and throwing endeavors at Wingate University!”
Sutton took first place at the Smoky Mountain Conference championship with a personal best throw of 36’ 6”, and she also won the 1A West Regional championship.
She was joined at the state meet by teammates Kendall Toineeta, a junior who took fourth place in the girls 800M run with a time of 2:24.28, and Anthony Toineeta, a freshman who took eighth place in the boys pole vault with a vault of 10-00. Malia Ellington, Community School, won the girls 800M with a time of 2:15.87 and Cooper Reinert, Swain County, won the boys pole vault with a vault of 12-06.
CHS head track coach Eddie Swimmer was very pleased with his team’s efforts. “One performance doesn’t quantify an athlete’s ability and character. It’s the work habits and the way they respond to a challenge both on and off the field. All of my state athletes are great representatives of Cherokee High School and the Cherokee Nation as a whole.”
He is also looking to the future of CHS track, “I couldn’t be more proud of each of them. I am proud of the whole track and field and cross country program. We have some state contenders and up-and-coming superstars. Just stay tuned and try to keep up! Go Braves!”
