Pearl Girls Track Team breaks short-lived state relay record at South State Championships
By Sedrick Durr
JA Sports Writer
Records are made to be broken…. well at least that is what athletes at all levels have shown fanbases throughout sports history. With hard work, dedication, and maximizing their potential, many athletes have met their respective personal goals. Some have demonstrated enough poise and persistence to exceed their personal goals. Consequently, time became the operative word literally and figuratively for the Pearl High School Girls Track Team as they broke the state record in the 4 x 400 relay; a record that was previously set just two weeks ago.
On April 10, 2026, Clinton’s speedy quartet set a new Mississippi’s best time of 3:52.89 ironically at the Woody Barnett Invitational in Pearl. However, just 14 days later, on the combined feet of Tamerial Wilson, Maliyah Seals, Marley Yarbrough, and Jasaria Harris, the Lady Pirates managed to clock at 3:52.08 during South State Championships at Biloxi.
According to Head Coach George Kersh, reaching such a milestone is very rewarding. Despite leading with a humbling message, the outcome was not surprising.
“We are peaking at the right time,” said Kersh. “While using various combinations we managed to run under four minutes on five occasions. This was their first time running together for this particular meet, mainly because we decided to mix in our best sprinters. If we can get 58 seconds per leg, then there was no telling what we can accomplish when pushed,” Kersh continued.
Even while achieving such accolades, Wilson, Seals, Yarbrough, and Harris have only to begin their efforts to fry bigger fish. Each of these young ladies are listed as juniors. As a result, these four are allotted time to get better at multiple events surrounding track and field.
“Wilson, who is a great leader, also is a high jumper,” said Kersh. “She also is working on her speed in the 100 (meter dash). She has a lot of fight and won’t quit.”
Seals is known to have the heart of a lion but even with a belief in getting it out of the mud, Kersh says she believes in doing everything by the book. In addition to her leg of the relay, Seals is also highly competitive in the triple jump.
Yarbrough, who has been among the fastest Lady Pirates this year, is also big in training in multiple areas. When not competing in relay action, her contributions to the team are in the form of 100- and 300-meter hurdles. Yarbrough’s second place finish in the 300 at the Woody Barnett Invitational provides proof in the pudding.
And finally, Harris has recorded results which have lifted her as the fastest Lady Pirate. The 2025 100-meter champion is also among the state fastest in the 200 meters. Her recent addition to the relay squad was a very big key to their record-breaking performance.
Meanwhile, Kersh is no stranger to competing as an individual. After all, he is a former national recordholder of the 800 meters for Pirates. But even with such an honorable accomplishment, his focus is clearly on the kids.
“It is such an honor to come back to your hometown to give back,” he said.
“I am always focused on working hard and keeping the kids motivated. It is my belief that if you can consistently instill belief anything can happen.”
For Kersh this is bigger than just track and field competition. It’s about quality education and resume-building for the future.
“Someone will earn a scholarship or at the very least be prepared to face obstacles in the real world.”
With the state record in their back pocket, the Lady Pirates are now looking to compete in the State Championship meet.
