Jets expect strong finish

James Clemens’ Korey Shively (375), here running in the Fairview Invitational during cross country season last fall, placed sixth in the 800-meter run at the Martin Luther King Indoor Classic to help the Jets finish seventh among Class 7A schools. CONTRIBUTED

By MIKE EASTERLING / For the Record

BIRMINGHAM – With the fourth straight second-place finish last week, James Clemens track coach Drew Bell said he was expecting big things from the Jets girls to end the high school indoor track season.

He’s also looking for the Jets boys to continue to place high as the teams prepare to enter the season’s final meet before the state championships.

James Clemens will join a big field Friday and Saturday at Birmingham’s CrossPlex for the Last Chance Invitational. The state meet will follow at the CrossPlex Feb. 5-6.

“We’re looking forward to finishing strong,’’ he said.

The Jets girls finished second to Hoover for the fourth time in as many meets at the Martin Luther King Classic Jan. 18. The boys placed seventh among Class 7A schools.

Also, Bob Jones’ girls were fifth and the boys eight among 7A squads.

“I think all four teams can finish in the top 10 at state,’’ Bell said. “That would be strong. If we were still one school we’d be scary.’’

Among the highlights for James Clemens at the MLK Classic was a one-two finish in the shot put by Kennedy Reese and Zuri Falkner. Also, Kayla Williams had two second-place finishes in the long jump and triple jump and the girls’ 4×200-meter relay team placed second.

Highlights for Bob Jones included a first-place finish in the high jump by Briana Caudle and a second-place in the shot put by Anfernee Jones.