The Statesboro track and field squad gets its final regular season tune-up Saturday as the Blue Devils welcome in nine other teams from around the state for the Statesboro Relays.
    The event has become a popular one for top squads from around the region to showcase their talents and this year appears to be no exception. Former state champions and current state hopefuls fill out the field in what should be a great day of competition.
    “This is always a great event and one that we look forward to throughout the year,” SHS coach Rico Campbell said. “We’ve got some strong teams coming in and this is the time of year that you want to be putting up your best results, so we’re looking forward to the challenge.”
    Statesboro has had an abbreviated season. Winter has lingered on, providing cold temperatures, blustery winds and weeks filled with rain that have cancelled some events while making others less than ideal for optimal performances.
    The weather is looking good for the weekend, so the Devils are hoping to put their best foot forward.
    Considering the Devils’ depth — for both the boys and girls squads — that shouldn’t be too hard to do.
    Keiyonna Gusby has been a star for the Lady Devils in hurdling events and in the high jump while Genevieve Okafor has dominated in sprint races and in the long jump. Andreas Ward and Andrew Taylor form a dual threat for the boys on hurdles while Octavian Canty and Xavier Fennell both shine in sprint and middle distance events, respectively. Kwasie Murphy will be among the favorites in Saturday’s shot put and the relay teams for both the boys and girls figure to give the rest of the field a run for its money.
    In addition to plenty of standout athletes, the Blue Devils find success as a team through their balance. With so many competitors notching high-ranking finishes across the wide range of events, Statesboro racks up the points that will be necessary if it wants to take this weekend’s team title.
    “A lot of schools tend to get focused on one thing,” Campbell said. “They’ll concentrate on just sprinting or distance running or field events. We’re fortunate in that we have a lot of good athletes at all those spots and that we have enough coaches to give all of the events our attention.”
    The Statesboro Relays will serve as one last chance for the Blue Devils to test themselves in live action before the Region 3-AAAA meet — also hosted by SHS — to be held April 17-19.
    “I like where we’re at right now,” Campbell said. “Sometimes when this rolls around, we have people who are still involved with other sports or we haven’t really found our best lineup. We’ve got a full squad and everything figured out right now, so we’ll compete hard this week, then train for two more weeks and hopefully put on a good showing at region.”
    Competition will begin at 10 a.m. with the boys’ long jump, shot put and high jump and the girls’ pole vault, triple jump, discus throw, and 3200 meter run. The second session will feature the same events, but with the boys and girls alternating. The final session of the day will feature the middle distance and sprint races for both boys and girls.

    Mike Anthony may be reached at (912) 489-9404.