After a long season of competition, Southeast Bulloch High School's girls track and field team proved once again that it was the class of its region.
    Tuesday in Dublin, the Lady Yellow Jackets topped the charts as Region 3-AA champion — a title that they claimed for a second consecutive season.
    “It’s always great to be able to come out on top of the region,” SEB coach Jolie Britt said. “It’s really incredible that we’ve been able to do this two years in a row now.
    "It really speaks to the talent of these girls and all of the hard work they’ve put in.”
    In the end, it was hardly a contest.
    Southeast Bulloch racked up 155.5 points for the title, well ahead of Swainsboro and Laney, which tied for second place with 104 points each.
    A big factor in all of those points was SEB junior Breanna Gates. Competing in five different events, Gates earned points for her school in each of her events and grabbed four first-place finishes.
    Gates topped all region competitors in the long jump, the 100- and 200-meter sprints, and she was a member of the Jackets’ champion 4x100-meter relay squad. The 34.5 points that she gained for SEB earned Gates the top-point honor for the region meet.
    Gates was far from the only multiple-winner for SEB. Katie Nevil was a winner on both the 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams, while Jasmine Roberts also placed first on both relay teams and won the triple jump. Philicia Batton took first in the 100-meter hurdles and — with her leap of 5-feet, 5-inches — set a new school record while winning the high jump.
    “It’s a dream come true for a coach,” Britt said. “To have so many girls that can compete and compete well in multiple events — you can’t ask for more than that. These girls take each event seriously and it really shows.”   
    Southeast Bulloch finished in sixth place in the boys region meet, but still had a handful of great performances turned in.
    Jamal Johnson swept the shot put and discus throws, with his discus toss of 151-feet, 7-inches setting a new SEB record.
    Preston Smith finished second in the triple-jump, falling just half an inch short of the region-winning mark.
    In all, 12 different Yellow Jackets placed in various events and will make their way to the April 28 sectionals at Lamar County.
   
    Mike Anthony can be reached at (912) 489-9404.