Wando standout Georgia Compton named Post and Courier’s female track & field athlete of the year

Georgia Compton usually runs 45 to 50 miles a week, but the Wando track and field star isn’t complaining.

“I never get tired of running,” she said. “But sometimes I get tired after I run.”

Compton hasn’t stopped running since she enrolled at Wando in 2009. She had an impressive cross country season and followed that up with a solid track season to earn The Post and Courier’s female track and field athlete of the year.

She was a member of the Warriors’ 4x800-meter relay team that set a state record at 9 minutes, 25.40 seconds. She finished second in the 1,600-meter run with a time of 5:09.79 and fifth in the 3,200-meter run with a time of 11:38.55 to help the Warriors to a second-place finish in the state meet behind J.L. Mann.

“It was one of the best feelings I’ve experienced when we set the state record,” said Compton, who in the fall was named The Post and Courier’s female cross country runner of the year. “The three other girls who ran it are like family to me, and it was great to cross the finish line knowing all the hard work paid off.”

There are many talented distance runners at Wando, including Alyssa Holden, Anna Fairey, Lucy Rummler, Emily Pitts and Compton’s younger sister Rosa Marie, who is a freshman.

“I get tired,” she said. “But if I don’t feel like running, all I have to do is think about all the good runners we have who push me. Having athletes like that makes me want to work even harder.”

Compton’s state time in the 1,600 was a school record. She was disappointed with her time in the 3,200, and said, “I was just trying to finish ahead of my little sister, Rosa Marie.”

Wando coach Nikki Wilson said Compton’s success spills into the classroom.

“She has an unbelievable work ethic,” Wilson said. “With all the time she trains, it’s amazing she does so well in school and in extracurricular activities like student council. I see nothing but a great future for her. She’s going to push herself to reach her goals.”

Compton is one of six athletes to repeat as All-Lowcountry performers. The others are Sarah Lee, Wando; Raven Saunders, Burke; Jalacy Green, Colleton County; Ashlee Eady, Cane Bay; and Marissa Pinckney, Berkeley.

The rest of the All-Lowcountry team includes Makayla Stanley, James Island; Faith Calloway, Colleton County; Alyssa Holden, Wando; Houston Rhodes, Academic Magnet; Michelle Lussier, Bishop England; and RoShani Glover, Summerville.

Wilson of Wando is the coach of the year.