WAYNESBORO, GA — The Spartans of Edmund Burke Academy are celebrating a spring sports season to remember, with state championships in both track and field and tennis bringing plenty of excitement to Burke County.
The boys' tennis team captured its first state doubles title since 2014, thanks to a duo that head coach Jamie Montgomery calls "the dynamic duo." One is laid back, the other high-strung, but they've been playing together since eighth grade. That chemistry proved to be their secret weapon.
"A lot of the players we faced at state were actually singles players playing doubles, so they didn't have the chemistry we have," said state champion Charlie Dentry. "Many were better players individually, but because of that chemistry, we were able to win the matches we did."
Teammate Andrew Cates echoed that sentiment, describing a moment during their championship match when they moved "in sync" — one at the net, one back — perfectly timed behind each other.
On the girls' side, the track and field team has been rewriting the record books. Over the past four years, the Spartans have broken 13 of 17 school records across multiple events. Senior Leila Eastmead alone holds five of those marks.
"I think it shows some of the quality traits I have — dedication, perseverance, and the drive to keep trying," Eastmead said. "That doesn't just apply to sports, but to how I live my life and how I do in school."
The team's success isn't limited to its seniors. Underclassmen also shined, with Aubrey Griffin winning the pole vault and Bella Williams taking the high jump. Griffin has a family legacy to uphold: "My brother Jackson won it twice, and I'm trying to win more than he did." Williams, meanwhile, was thrilled to finally claim the title after coming close last year.
Head coach Monika Mobley believes the foundation for this sustained excellence is simple: hard work, teamwork, and a commitment to getting better every day. With a mix of experienced seniors and hungry underclassmen, the Spartans' future looks as bright as their championship banners.