The Bethesda Academy Blazers are South Carolina Independent School Association DII state track champions again. First-year head track and field coach Antwain Turner said the Blazers won their first SCISA track title in 2019.
Bethesda’s boys track and field team claimed the 2025 South Carolina Independent School Association (SCISA) Division II Championship on May 2 in Orangeburg, South Carolina. The Blazers scored 126 points to finish first overall, beating out Shannon Forest (111 points) and Spartanburg Christian (63 points).
Led by sprinter Raleigh Wesley, the High Point champion with 40 points, Bethesda athletes shined on the track and in the field. Wesley won two individual titles—the 100-meter dash (10.65) and 200-meter dash (21.57)—and helped the Blazers win the 4x100-meter relay with a time of 43.56.
The 4x100 relay team included Raleigh Wesley, Assir Best, Malachi Jadon Turner, and Jordan Turner.
Teammate Assir Best finished third in the 100 meters and third in the 200 meters, and he won the long jump with a leap of 20 feet, 7.5 inches.
Christopher Wright added two more wins for the Blazers, first in the 110-meter hurdles (16.72) and the 400-meter hurdles (1:01.74).
Bethesda also had Malachi Morris finish third in the 400 meters and third in the triple jump.
Isaiah Reynolds won the high jump by clearing 6 feet, 2 inches.
Steve Mitchell earned a runner-up finish in the shot put, and Branson Bodison placed 3rd in the 110-meter hurdles.
Bethesda closed the meet by winning the 4x400-meter relay (3:35.82). The team featured Franky Jackson, Malachi Morris, Jordan Turner, and Raleigh Wesley.
Other notables: The 4x800-meter relay team—Franky Jackson, Ka'mond Young, Chris Wright, and Zeric Parker — finished 4th overall.
Malachi Morris finished 5th in the 100 Meter Dash. Arlando Chaney placed 6th in the Shot Put, and Zachary Dorsey also took 6th place in the Triple Jump.
Coach Turner’s Take
It was Coach Antwain Turner’s first year as head track coach, and the win was Bethesda’s first state title since 2019. Turner credited his athletes and the team of volunteer coaches.
“We have five coaches who dedicate their time after work to help our guys,” Turner said. “We’ve got a great team—Coach Dennis Green works with our jumpers, Coach Kamari Kendall (a Savannah State athlete) with our sprinters, Coach Mason Wilson with shot put, Coach Fraser with our distance guys, and Coach Linda Wilson, an intern, with our hurdlers.”
Going into the meet, Bethesda wasn’t favored to win. “On paper, Shannon Forest was #1,” Turner said. “We were #2. But we told our guys, paper doesn’t matter now—it’s about who wants it more.”
He said the team focused on scoring where they were expected to and picking up points in events they weren’t. The strategy paid off. “We saw guys support each other all day,” he said. “No one left after their event. We stayed as a team, and that made the difference.”
Coach Turner said what impressed him most was the team’s depth and potential, noting the Blazers only had three seniors. “It speaks volumes,” he said. “We had guys like Christopher Wright and Assir Best step up big. Wright had never run hurdles until a few weeks ago. Now he’s a state champ.”
Turner praised Raleigh Wesley, who earned the High Point Award at the meet. Wesley scored 40 points, broke the SCISA state record in 100 meters (10.65) and 200 meters (21.57), and helped win two relays.
“This group made history,” said Turner. “We finally have a real track on campus, and that’s helping us teach and train the right way. That’s a big reason why we’re growing.”
Bethesda had 38 athletes on the team this year, but only 15 made the state roster—something Turner said is essential for the athletes to understand. “You’ve got to earn it,” he said. “Those 15 earned their spot the at state and carried us to the title.”
As for the future?
“We’re building a culture,” Turner said. “Championship culture. And that starts with accountability, unity, discipline, integrity, and toughness. These boys showed all of that.”
2025 Bethesda Blazers State Championship Track Team Roster
| Athlete | Grade |
| Assir Best | 12 |
| Franky Jackson | 12 |
| Isaiah Reynolds | 12 |
| Christian Vaughn | 12 |
| Joshua Johnson | 12 |
| Israel Wright | 12 |
| Arlando Chaney | 11 |
| Christopher Wright | 11 |
| Malachi Morris | 11 |
| Raleigh Wesley | 11 |
| Steven Mitchell | 11 |
| Jamarri Young | 11 |
| Jadon Turner | 10 |
| Branson Bodison | 9 |
| Jordan Turner | 9 |
| Jeffrey Armstrong | 8 |
| Zachary Dorsey | 8 |
| Zeric Parker | 8 |
| Ka’mond Young | 8 |
| Head Coach/AD |
| Antwain Turner |
| Assistant Coaches |
| Dennis Green |
| Jae Frazier |
| Mason Wilson |
| Kamari Kendall (intern) |
| Lynda Miller (intern) |
| Athletic Trainer |
| John Rios |
| Managers |
| Troy Williams |
| Keni James |
PHIOTO CREDIT: Bethesda Acdemy Athletics Department
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