Gwinnett Daily Post

BOYS SUPER SIX

Name: Josh Brickell

School: Peachtree Ridge

Class: Junior

Noteworthy:

-- Won state titles in 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs last year

-- Maintains 4.0 GPA

-- Placed eighth at Cross Country Footlocker Nationals

-- Has won four individual state titles in track and cross country

-- Captain of cross country and track teams

-- Member of FCA

Favorite athlete: Mark Coughlin

Favorite music group: Rupert's Orchestra

Favorite foods: Eggs and bacon

What's been your most memorable moment in track and field? "The state 1,600 last year. It was a very close race, and I finished knowing that I had truly given 100 percent."

Coach Ron Clanton's take: "Josh is a perfectionist. I think that is one of the things that drives him the most and has led to such success in his running. He has also become a student of the sport and he is one of the few runners I've coached that understands the science of training. Hard to rattle, Josh always seems to maintain a sense of calmness about him when competing."

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Name: Trevor Joyce

School: Mill Creek

Class: Senior

Noteworthy:

-- Placed third at state in shot put

-- Region 7-AAAAA runner-up in shot put

-- Three-year varsity thrower

-- Member of football team

Favorite athlete: Reese Hoffa

Favorite music artist: Drake

Favorite food: Anything Zaxby's

What's been your most memorable moment in track and field? "Lettering in track and field with my first throw."

Coach Rik Moore's take: "Trevor has an explosive arm strike and has worked hard to improve his throwing. He works hard and puts in the time and effort to improve his throws. He will be counted on as leader among the throws group for us and help develop the younger throwers as well. He's another strong thrower for coach Josh Lovelady."

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Name: Justin Martin

School: Shiloh

Class: Sophomore

Noteworthy:

-- Placed fourth at state meet in 400-meter run

-- Region 8-AAAAA champion in 400

-- USA Youth National Champion in 400

-- AAU and USA All-American

-- Starting running back on football team

Favorite athlete: Michael Vick

Favorite movie: "The Lion King"

Favorite food: Gumbo

What's been your most memorable moment in track and field? "Winning USA Youth National championship."

Coach Mitch Ferguson's take: "Justin's father was a great athlete that ran track. Justin picked up on his athleticism at an early age and developed his gift for running. His competitive drive to improve his event times and his passion not to lose has allowed him to be successful in track and field."

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Name: Matt Morris

School: Peachtree Ridge

Class: Senior

Noteworthy:

-- Class AAAAA state champion in the pole vault

-- Maintains 3.4 GPA

-- Won Region 7-AAAAA title in pole vault

-- Selected to all-county track team

Favorite Athlete: Tim Mack

Favorite music group: Needtobreathe

Favorite food: Spaghetti

What's been your most memorable moment in track and field? "Taking my last jump at the state meet in Jefferson. I wanted 14 feet, 6 inches so bad that when I missed it, I wasn't happy that I had just won state. It hit me a few weeks after that I was the AAAAA state champion in the pole vault."

Coach Ron Clanton's take: "When I first met Matthew he struck me as a quiet, bashful kid that didn't have a lot of drive or motivation. Boy, was I wrong. Even though he is still pretty soft spoken he is one of the hardest-working kids in our program. His tremendous work ethic has allowed Matthew to achieve great success in the vault."

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Name: Andrew Redhead

School: Dacula

Class: Senior

Noteworthy:

-- Maintains 2.8 GPA

-- Region 8-AAAAA champion in long jump and triple jump last year

-- Finished fourth at state meet in the triple jump

-- Junior Olympic National qualifier

Favorite athlete: Kironi James, the youngest World Champion in the 400 meters

Favorite type of music: Reggae, Dance Hall

Favorite food: Roti

What's been your most memorable moment in track and field? "Representing my native country of Grenada."

Coach Emmett Watkins' take: "Andrew has an older brother that he has always competed against. I saw Andrew as a freshman come in and work hard to compete with his other brother and he has a love for track and field. Andrew has grown to love competing and has good numbers in six different events (long jump, 110 and 300 hurdles, high jump and relays) that he does well in. He holds the Dacula High school record (in the triple jump) at 45 feet, 2 inches. He is just a good, hard-working student athlete."

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Name: Micah Reed

School: Parkview

Class: Senior

Noteworthy:

-- Region 8-AAAAA champion in the 100-meter dash and long jump

-- Placed third at state in the 100, fourth in the 200 and fourth on the 400 relay

-- Holds the school record of 10.69 seconds in the 100

-- Will play football at Morehead State University (Ky.)

Favorite athlete: Usain Bolt

Favorite movie: "300"

Favorite food: Cheese fondue

What's been your most memorable moment in track and field? "Breaking the Parkview school record last year in the 100-meter dash."

Coach Matt Henson's take: "Micah has only really had one true season of track and field training after living off of his God-given talent. It's been exciting to watch him mature into a powerful sprinter. He should do well in his final high school season."

GIRLS SUPER SIX

Name: Jasmine Abrams

School: Grayson

Class: Senior

Noteworthy:

• Placed second at state in 200-meter run and fourth in 100

• Selected to all-county team

• Set school records in the 400 relay and 1,600 relay

Favorite athlete: Ahmad Bradshaw

Favorite music artist: Adele

Favorite food: Pizza

What’s been your most memorable moment in track and field? “When my 400 relay team broke the school record my sophomore year.”

Coach Jason Abner’s take: “Jasmine is a true athlete. She is extremely hard-working and a great leader. She leads the team by example and provides positivity and comic relief for everyone. Jasmine never backs down from a challenge, including fighting through injury. She is truly one of the most coachable athletes I know.”

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Name: Autumnn Burnett

School: Peachtree Ridge

Class: Senior

Noteworthy:

• Won Gwinnett County and Region 7-AAAAA in 100 and 300 hurdles

• Placed second at state in 100 hurdles and fourth in 300 hurdles

• Selected to Daily Post all-county team

• Holds school records in the 100 hurdles and 300 hurdles

• Received Peachtree Ridge’s Lion Award last year

Favorite athlete: Lolo Jones

Favorite music artist: John Legend

Favorite food: Anything good

What’s been your most memorable moment in track and field? “The good moment is me running the fastest time in both my events throughout the season. The bad moment is falling over the last hurdle in the 300 hurdles at a track meet and coming in third after leading in first. I still had to run the 1,600 relay literally right after.”

Coach Ron Clanton’s take: “Although very quiet, Autumnn is a highly driven athlete who has worked very hard to become an accomplished sprinter and hurdler. When she is on the track it’s all business. She is always focused and in her zone. One of the things I admire about her the most is her positive attitude at practice. She’s always willing to crack a smile, no matter how tough the workout is.”

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Name: Lauren Kelly

School: Peachtree Ridge

Class: Senior

Noteworthy:

• Won Region 7-AAAAA title in 1,600

• Placed fourth at state in 1,600 and 3,200

• Holds school records in 1,600 and 3,200

• Selected to Daily Post’s Super Six for cross country

Favorite athlete: Kara Goucher

Favorite movie: “The Patriot”

Favorite food: Spaghetti

What’s been your most memorable moment in track and field? “The 2011 state track meet.”

Coach Ron Clanton’s take: “Lauren has developed into a fierce competitor. She is very determined and a very hard worker. She has dedicated herself to be the best runner she can be. One thing that I admire about her the most is her never quit attitude. You always know that when the gun goes off she’s going to give her best effort.”

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Name: Caroline Kissel

School: Brookwood

Class: Senior

Noteworthy:

• Maintains 3.905 GPA

• Holds a personal record of 5 minutes, 4 seconds in mile

• Won Region 8-AAAAA title in 1,600 three times and 3,200 twice

• Gwinnett County champion in 1,600 and 3,200 last year

• Member of Beta Club

Favorite athlete: Mia Hamm

Favorite movie: “Water for Elephants”

Favorite food: Pasta

What’s been your most memorable moment in track and field? “My most memorable moment was during my sophomore year when I came second in state and PRed with a time of 5:04.

Coach Kelly Swanson’s take: “Over the past three years I’ve noticed that when Caroline sets a goal, she will do whatever it takes to achieve it. Her continued motivation and leadership, both on the track and in the classroom, serves as an excellent example for her fellow teammates to follow. Without Caroline’s competitive spirit, we would not have come home with the third-place trophy at the 2010 and 2011 state meets. She scored 16 of the team’s 33 points in 2010 and 14 of the team’s 42 points in 2011. Coach Carter and I are looking forward to the upcoming season and what it has in store for our Caroline.”

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Name: Jac Obi

School: Grayson

Class: Senior

Noteworthy:

• Placed third at state in 400-meter run

• Student Ambassador

• Member of freshmen mentoring program

Favorite athlete: Jackie Joyner Kersee

Favorite song: Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the USA”

Favorite food: Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo

What’s been your most memorable moment in track and field?: “Running intense workouts in the rain with my teammates.”

Coach Jason Abner’s take: “(Jac) has great speed and works hard at it. You can tell that she really loves to run and compete. She is persistent and consistent and shows a lot of guts in her races. She is dedicated to running her best in every race and is always looking to outdo herself. She’s an excellent athlete.”

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Name: QuanDra Shanks

School: Brookwood

Class: Junior

Noteworthy:

• Holds a personal record in the 800-meter run of 2 minutes, 15 seconds

• Has a PR of 5:08.18 in 1,600

• Gwinnett County runner-up in 800 and 1,600 last year

• Region 8-AAAAA champion in 800 and runner-up in 1,600

• Placed second at state in 800 and third in 1,600

• Member of SGA and French Club

Favorite athletes: Sanya Richards and Tim Tebow

Favorite movies: “Fast 5” and “The Dark Knight”

Favorite food: Shrimp Pasta

What’s been your most memorable moment in track and field? “Going to State last season and getting second in the 800 and third in the mile.”

Coach Kelly Swanson’s take: “QuanDra lives and breathes track and field. Her hard work and determination during the past two seasons as a Bronco have proved that she is willing to go above and beyond what is normally expected to reach her goals. QuanDra’s competitive edge and ability to stay positive is what sets her apart from her competition. Last year she personally contributed 14 of the 42 team points at the State meet. We are looking forward to watching QuanDra add to her list of accomplishments during the upcoming season.”