The track and field season is nearing the finish line and many local schools used Thursday as a chance for one final tune-up before sections begin next week.

Keith, Ellwood Christian and Southside all had athletes compete in Thursday’s track and field meet hosted by Greensboro High School.

Three Keith juniors had career days. Keith’s Eric Smiley won the boys 800-meter run with a time of 2:20.98. Keith’s Tyeshia Malone squeaked out a close win over teammate Euneka Tower to win the girls’ 800 meter in a time of 3:07.66. This is the first year Smiley and Malone have ever run track and the first time in several years that Tower participated on the team.

“I’m very proud of those three because they are practically new,” said Keith track and field coach Clifton Reeves. “For them to compete and do as well as they are doing is a pleasant surprise.”

Keith senior Quomila Johnigan, who is recovering from an eye injury, finished second in the 400-meter dash with a time of 1:06.22. Johnigan also finished fifth in the 200-meter run with a time of 28.13.

Reeves said Johnigan missed more than a week of practice with her injury, which was the result of a recent car accident. He said given the missed time, he was proud of the way she performed on Thursday.

“I’m thinking with a good week of practice it should at least give her a chance to make it to state,” Reeves said.

Southside’s Antanya Dudley won the girls’ discus throw with a toss of 80-feet-4.

Dudley also finished fifth in the girls’ shot put with a throw of 26-01.

Ellwood Christian’s Monique Jones, a sixth grader, finished second in the girls’ 100 meter hurdles with a time of 18.42 seconds. Jones also finished fifth in the girls’ 300-meter hurdles with a time of 56.96 seconds.

Jasmine Morgan from Ellwood Christian finished fourth in the girls’ shot put.

The Alabama High School Athletic Association’s track and field sectionals start Friday, so the Greensboro meet was probably the last regular season meet for the local teams that took part in it.

Ellwood Christian and Keith will take part in a sectional at Paul Bryant High School Friday and Saturday, and Southside will participate in a sectional at Smith Station the same two days. Sectionals determine which athletes get to participate in the AHSAA’s track and field championships, which are held in Cullman (1A-3A) and Gulf Shores (4A-7A) on May 5-7.