Jets girls snag first place at Last Chance meet

James Clemens’ Aaron Beane follows closely behind teammate Raleigh Schmidt (316) at the Last Chance cross-country meet Saturday at Palmer Park. Both runners earned All-Elite status by finishing in the top 15. (Courtesy/Katy Soto)

By Mike Easterling

For the Record

MADISON – The James Clemens High School girls continued a strong week with a victory Saturday at the Last Chance cross country meet, finishing first on the heels of a championship at the Metro Championships earlier in the week.

Both wins give the Jets a great dose of momentum heading into the Section Meet that will be hosted by James Clemens on Nov. 5.

“We call it the Last Chance because it’s the final meet for runners to record their best times before sectionals,” Jets coach Drew Bell said. The meet was held at Palmer Park, where the sectional will be run.

“It gave everybody a chance to get familiar with the layout,” Bell said.

Freshman Liz Holcomb continued her strong season with a fourth-place finish to lead James Clemens, which had five athletes earn All-Elite honors by placing in the top 15 at the meet.

Elise Sheldrick, Rachel Seeley, Ella Engstrom and Katelynn Casamatta also earned All-Elite status. Engstrom, who ran the course in 20:55.93, set a personal record, as did Casamatta at 21:14.55.

James Clemens won with 44 points, followed by Buckhorn (60), Sparkman (98), Hartselle (125) and Muscle Shoals (142). Bob Jones placed ninth.

Meanwhile, James Clemens finished second in the boys division. Saint John Paul II Catholic won with 58 points. The Jets had 68 points, followed by Huntsville (84), Sparkman (86) and Buckhorn (147).

The Jets were led by Raleigh Schmidt’s eighth-place finish. Joining him on the All-Elite list were teammates Aaron Beane and Jase Bell.