The Carver Early College High School girls’ 4×100 meter 3A state champions were presented their championship rings on Thursday, September 12, with the help of Olympic gold medalist and Carver alumnus Chris Bailey at a pep rally in front of all their peers.
The girls’ relay team won as freshmen in 2022 but finished as the runner-up in the 2022-2023 state meet. However, the team continued to work hard and remain consistent. Senior runners Tarrianna Jackson, Amiyah Floyd, Itavia McCord, and junior DeMya Gates won the final race at the 2023-2024 state championship meet with a time of 46.73 seconds. The girls and Carver track coach Jonathan Scott proudly showed off their championship rings and celebrated their achievement with the school body.
“This celebration means a lot. We’ve been building something here for the past five seasons,” Scott said. “This was something that our girls have wanted since they started running: they wanted recognition… having this event just means a lot to me, and I know it means so much more to the girls.”
In addition to the championship rings and the unveiling of a banner for the track team, Carver Early College also revealed a banner honoring 2024 Olympian Chris Bailey.
Bailey, who didn’t start running track until 11th grade, graduated from Carver Early College in 2018. After a stellar college career running track at Mississippi Valley State University, the University of Tennessee (c/o 2022), and the University of Arkansas (c/o 2024), he finished third at the U.S. Olympic Trials and qualified for Team USA.
In his first year as a professional athlete, Bailey earned gold in the 4×400 on the biggest stage at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The men’s 4×400 team set a new Olympic record of 2:54.43 in the final. He also finished sixth in the open 400 meters.
“This is huge for our school and our students,” Carver Early College athletic director Wendy Golston said. “It’s good for them to see someone that has made it all the way, gone to college, and finished at the top of his sport. This is a great opportunity for them to see someone who looks just like them and comes from the same neighborhood as them to make it where some of them are trying to be.”
Bailey also received a Certificate of Recognition from Atlanta Board of Education chair Erika Mitchell and a plaque for Outstanding Athletic Achievement from principal Christina Rogers.
“Despite getting sixth in the 400, it’s something to be proud of because it was my first time being in that position,” Bailey said. “A lot of people would have thought that I shouldn’t be in that position. I didn’t even think I would be in that position, but I’m grateful for that experience.”
He was not only proud to be able to bring the gold back to his alma mater but also to see the growth in the track program since he left.
“It feels amazing because track and field wasn’t really a big sport when I was here,” he said. “I love to see the growth that’s been made, especially with the women winning state twice. Coach Scott and coach Perry are doing a good job with the women’s team.”