By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

She’s ready to give it another shot.

A year ago, LaGrange High’s WaWa Benn participated in the state sectional, but her race was over before it even started thanks to a false start.

At that level, a false start results in a disqualification.

On Saturday, Benn will be back in the state sectional thanks to her performance at the Region 5-AAAA meet that was held last week in Carrollton.

Benn qualified for the sectional by finishing second in the 100-meter hurdles at the region meet.

The top four finishers in each event qualified for the state sectional.

“I false-started at sectionals last year and didn’t get to run,” Benn said. “I feel very prepared for this Saturday. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Benn will be joined at the state sectional in Columbus by a number of her teammates, including fellow hurdler Zakeria Staples.

Staples qualified in both hurdle events.

Staples finished second in the 300-meter hurdles, coming in just behind Kayla Alexander of Chapel Hill.

Staples also qualified in the 100 hurdles.

After posting the eighth fastest time in the preliminary race, Staples turned it on in the finals and finished fourth to advance.

Another one of LaGrange’s hurdlers, Kamari Owens, finished fourth in the 300 hurdles to advance.

LaGrange’s Jada Grant will participate in two events at the state sectional after finishing second in the long jump and the triple jump at the region meet.

Grant placed second to Chapel Hill’s Meghan Daniels in both events.

Grant was glad to make it through to the state sectional, although she’s always disappointed when she doesn’t earn the top spot.

“I wanted to win,” Grant said. “But I’ll see her again.”

Another LaGrange runner who qualified for the state sectional in two events is Annaya Chelcy, who finished third in the 100-meter dash, and the 200-meter dash.

Also qualifying in two events is Renaya Edmondson, who was fourth in the discus, and fourth in the shot put.

Two LaGrange athletes finished in the top four in the high jump.

Shanteria Kelly placing second with a jump of 4-feet, 10-inches, and Makala Beach was fourth.

Also advancing was Quay Robinson, who placed third in the 400-meter run.

LaGrange’s 400-meter and 1,600-meter relay teams are both headed to the sectional thanks to strong performances last week.

The 400 relay team of Annaya Chelcy, Jada Grant, Zakeria Staples and Jartavia Manley raced to a second-place finish.

The 1,600 relay team of Quay Robinson, Jartavia Manley, Zakeria Staples and Brandasia Cofield finished third.

Three members of the LaGrange boys’ team qualified for the state sectional, including Dylan Norvell, who will compete in two events.

Norvell placed third in the 100, and he was fourth in the 200 after posting the fastest time in the preliminary round in both events.

Also advancing was Cameron Thomas, who was third in the triple jump.

“It was very competitive,” Thomas said. “There were five other guys with close jumps. And I got third.”

LaGrange’s Ty Whitehead finished third in the discus, and he exceeded his own expectations.

“I was real surprised by that,” Whitehead said. “I didn’t think I was going to qualify. I had a little hope for myself. Turns out I did better than I thought.”