Alexander's track and field program returns several key pieces from the group that competed at 
the state championships last year.
That experience across sprints, relays, hurdles, jumps and distance gives the Cougars a strong foundation in 2026, coach Jimmy Sorrells said.
The Cougars recently swept the Douglas County Championships held at New Manchester High School.
Alexander's girls amassed 80 points to edge out Lithia Springs (71 points), while the boys dominated the field with 152 points, well ahead of runner-up New Manchester (59 points). The meet featured 18 contested events, with first-place finishers earning the title of county champion.
Alexander's success was fueled by standout individual and relay performances across the board.
The girls 4x800-meter relay team of Ce'yonce Reid, Marley Tidwell, Taelor Jones and Akerria Battle set the tone early, claiming the county championship with a time of 10:56.49. Not to be outdone, the boys 4x800 relay squad—Cortez Adams, Raydel Quintero, Richard Wilson and Gabriel Araujo—also secured gold, finishing in 8:30.79.
Autumn Rollins led the charge for the Lady Cougars on the track, winning the 100-meter dash in 11.88 seconds and later capturing the long jump title with a leap of 17 feet, 6.5 inches. She also added a third-place finish in the 200 meters (25.30) and helped power the 4x100 relay team to a third-place finish. Rollins was named the meet's high point scorer for the girls.
Gabrielle Foster contributed with a fourth-place finish in the 100 meters and a third-place showing in the long jump, while also running on the 4x100 relay team alongside Oluwadamilola Oyekunie and Rollins. The team finished in 49.56.
Golden Williams claimed the county title in the 300-meter hurdles (44.93) and later anchored the girls 4x400 relay team—alongside Jones, Reid and Battle—to a third-place finish (4:10.65). Battle also placed third in the 400 meters (1:00.01), and Reid added a fifth-place finish in the 800 meters.
Distance standout Marley Tidwell captured the 3200-meter championship in 14:29.93, while Zaveah Wilson added a fifth-place finish in the same event.
In field events, Avery Davis and Zaveah Wilson placed second and third in the pole vault, respectively, while Mehlani Cumberlander finished fourth in the high jump. Holleigh Roney placed second in discus (94-8) and third in shot put (33-8), with K.J. Godwin adding a fifth-place finish in shot put.
Long distance runner Emily McDonald, a state finalist last season, is currently sidelined due to injury, but Sorrells said he hopes she can make it back before the end of the season.
On the boys side, Alexander delivered a dominant display of speed, hurdles and depth.
Daylen Scott led the sprint squad, winning the 100 meters in 10.69 seconds, while Cantrell Etheridge (3rd, 10.91) and Tariq Ringer (5th, 10.97) added valuable points. The 4x100 relay team of Leland Hartley, Ringer, Scott and Jayce Williams placed second with a time of 41.70.
Etheridge delivered one of the most impressive performances of the meet in the hurdles, capturing the county title in the 110-meter hurdles with a stunning time of 13.92 that broke his previous school record and winning the 300-meter hurdles in 39.35. Mason Whitehead added a strong second-place finish in the 110 hurdles (14.25), while Jai'mone Harris placed fifth (15.56). Harris also contributed a third-place finish in the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 41.36.
The boys 4x400 relay team of Williams, Justyn McKenzie, Landyn Buchanan and Richard Wilson closed the meet in style, capturing first place with a time of 3:20.46.
McKenzie delivered one of the meet's most electrifying performances, blazing to victory in the 400 meters with a time of 47.69. Buchanan followed with a second-place finish (48.54), while Wilson placed fifth.
In distance events, Drew Lester was a double winner, claiming county titles in both the 1600 meters (4:45.54) and 3200 meters (11:01.29). Quintero placed second in the 1600, with Araujo finishing fourth. Ethan McDonald (3rd) and Billy Ross (4th) added points in the 3200.
Cayden Guidry won the 800 meters in a swift 1:55.43, with Adams finishing second.
In the field, Ayden Tolson cleared 6 feet to win the high jump, while Ryan Sheffield (2nd) and Mac Abercrombie (3rd) placed in the pole vault. Tariq Ringer took second in the long jump with a leap of 22-2, and Michael Brady placed fourth before going on to win the triple jump (44-5.5). Jaxson Brewer finished second in the event.
Mykah Lord (3rd) and Cameron Blount (5th) scored in the discus for the boys.
Etheridge was named the boys high point scorer, capping a dominant all-around performance.
Looking ahead to the Region 5-AAAAA Meet, Sorrells said he likes his teams' chances.
"This team stacks up very well against the region," he said. "With elite relay squads, strong individual contenders, and increasing depth, the program expects to be a consistent presence at the sectional and state level, capable of competing with anyone on any given day."