Special to Pelahatchie News
East Rankin Academy (ERA) Patriot Track & Field team concluded the 2025 season on Saturday, May 3rd at the 2025 Midsouth Association of Independent Schools (“MAIS”) State Championship.
Entering the post season with both varsity teams MAIS 5A District 2 Champions, 21 athletes individually and all eight relay teams qualified to the regional North State Championship at Bayou Academy on April 26th. The Patriots at North State were very successful, with both varsity teams bringing home the North State Championship runner-up trophy. Among the 12 individuals and seven relay teams that qualified to the 2025 State Championship were North State champions, sophomore, Jon Riemann (400 meter dash) and freshman Zack Price (3200 meter run). Patriot relays at North State were also stellar, setting multiple venue records and new ERA school records with the Patriot men winning the 4x100 relay, the 4x200 relay and the 4x800 relay, and the Lady Patriots winning the 4x400 relay.
The 2025 MAIS State Championship was hosted by Jackson Academy on May 2nd and Jackson Prep on May 3rd. Coming down to the last event, the Lady Patriots raced to a second place finish in the 4x400 relay, earning eight points to jump into trophy position in team second. Patriot men also picked up second place medals in the 4x400 relay after a gritty come-from-behind anchor leg from Riemann, earning the points for team third. Multiple state champions among both varsity teams included junior Gage Crapps, in his second year of throwing, defending the state title in discus with a personal best throw of 142-0; freshman Emma Raines, winning the 300 hurdles in a personal best time of 46.89 (which was the fastest 300 hurdle time among all classes); and the boys 4x800 relay team defending their 2024 title with a team of junior RT Tate; freshman Walker Sartin; freshman Taylor Stroh; and freshman Zack Price, demolishing the school record with a winning time of 8:32.00.
Other medalists at the State Championship included senior Aiden Harrell (4th 100m 11.38 & 2nd 200m 22.96); freshman Jillian Breland (2nd discus 123-9); freshman Emma Raines (6th 100 hurdles 17.19 & 2nd 400m 1:01.25); sophomore Jon Riemann (2nd 400 meter 51.64); seventh grader Jewel Baker (7th 800m 2:34.79, 2nd 1600m 5:22.48 & 2nd 3200m 11:36.08); freshman Zack Price (2nd 1600m 4:46.01 & 4th 3200m 10:47.03); senior Audrey Mayatte (4th 800m 2:25.34, 3rd 1600m 5:23.00 & 3rd 3200m 11:53.82); junior RT Tate (7th 1600m 5:05.38 & 3rd 3200m 10:46.90); senior Abby Raines (4th high jump 4-10); junior Gage Crapps (4th shot put 43-3); senior Michael Kanengiser (6th 400m 53.83); sophomore Leah Collipp (7th 200m 28.05); varsity boys 4x200 (2nd 1:32.36); varsity boys 4x400 (2nd 3:31.31), varsity girls 4x400 (2nd 4:11.88); varsity girls 4x800 (2nd 9:53.64); varsity boys 4x100 (4th 45.00); and varsity girls 4x200 (5th 1:51.75).
The 2025 Patriot track team featured six seniors, all of whom played a role in the growth of ERA track and field in recent years and to whom an entire article could be dedicated. The team wishes to congratulate multi-time state medalist Aiden Harrell and multi-time state medalist Audrey Mayatte; and state finalists Lydia Collipp, Michael Kanengiser, Abby Raines, and Katie Simpson, as they graduate with the Class of 2025.
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