Jets champs in Metro meet

The Jets earned 16 medals, set 10 personal records and had four season bests. CONTRIBUTED

By MIKE EASTERLING / For the Record

MADISON – James Clemens’ boys and girls track teams saw top performers go down with injuries heading into the Metro Championships, but neither let the losses keep them from blazing trails through the outdoor season.

James Clemens won Metro for the third straight year in both divisions, winning the girls event without Mississippi State signee Kayla Williams (torn ACL) and the boys despite the absence of top sprinter Sterling Fisher (strained hamstring). Both were injured at the Florida State University Relays.

The Jets haven’t lost a home meet in four years and have won all five meets they’ve entered in the state this season. They’re next in action is at Huntsville High’s Big Cat meet at Milton Frank Stadium April 16.

James Clemens’ girls won Metro with 186 points, followed by Bob Jones (140) and Huntsville (110). The Jets earned 16 medals, set 10 personal records and had four season bests. The 4×400-meter relay team of Uriah James, Audrey Blakley, Rachel Seeley and Vada Samuels placed first in a school record 3:58.16.

Other firsts included the 4×100 team of Dekonte Gistarb, Samuels, James and Shateaya Ligon; Gistarb in the 100 hurdles; and Zuri Falkner in the discus.

The Jets’ boys won with 160 points, followed by Bob Jones (119) and Sparkman (105).

James Clemens won nine medals, and 20 PR’s, three season bests and a school record of 13-07 by Noah Graham in the pole vault.

Others placing first were Zach Hancock in the shot put and Miguel Cortes in the javelin.