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BLITZ Track & Field Athlete of the Year: Teah Gales

May 29, 2024

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Sophomore sensation Teah Gales takes BLITZ Track & Field Athlete of the Year honors, capping an incredible season for the champion thrower.

Framed Print (11×14) – Teah Gales POY

$32.99

BUY FRAMED PRINT – TEAH GALES POY

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

State Champion in Shot Put
Region Champion in Shot Put
Region 3rd in Discus
Shot Put PR 39-9.5
Discus PR 100-8

Teah Gales won the State Championship in Shot Put with a heave of 39-4, just shy of her 39-9.5 PR set at sectionals. She had won the Region Championship with a 36-10. In the discus event, she was 3rd at region with a 100-8 PR, and came in 11th at sectionals. She far exceeded her freshman season, when she came in 5th at state in shot put and was Region RU.

POY Button (3″) – Teah Gales

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BUY BUTTON (3 IN) – TEAH GALES

VOTING RESULTS

Teah Gales – 44.5 pts (5 1st-place votes)
Christina Keller – 31.5 pts (5)
Ella Kulniszewski – 29.5 pts (1)
Jayla Collins – 23.5 pts (1)
Audrey Hotard – 17.75 pts (2)
Emma Bliss – 14.75 pts
Marliegh Dale – 10 pts

Voting included our 14-person panel made up of sports reporters, writers, video producers, former coaches, players, GHSA officials, and sports experts. The voting is Heisman-style, with the following points system:
1st place votes: 5 pts; 2nd: 3 pts; 3rd: 2 pts; 4th: 1 pts; 5th-6th: 0.5 pts; 7th-8th 0.25 pts

Gales and Keller both had 5 1st-place votes, but Gales had 5 2nd-place votes as well to win. Five of the finalists received a 1st-place vote, so it was far from a given.

HISTORY OF GIRLS TRACK & FIELD ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

2024 – Teah Gales – Jefferson SO
2023 – Shelby Speed – Banks County SR
2022 – Jada Pittman – Jefferson SR
2021 – Paden Bell – Commerce SO
2020 – Zoe Sanchez – Union County SR
2019 – Zoe Sanchez – Union County JR
2018 – Rachel Gearing – White County SR & Anna Davis – Tallulah Falls SR
2017 – Rachel Gearing – White County JR
2016 – Kate Massey – Commerce SO
2015 – Jenna Gearing – White County JR
2014 – Sally Woerner – Rabun County SR
2013 – Jenna Gearing – White County FR
2012 – Jessie Dotson – White County SR
2011 – Madalyn Walters – Dawson County JR
2010 – Madalyn Walters – Dawson County SO

Gales is the second straight thrower to win the award and third overall. She’s the second Jefferson athlete to win it and only the fourth sophomore. She could join 4 others to win multiple awards.