Jets juniors keep winning

James Clemens track team members flash “four’’ after winning the school’s fourth straight junior high school track championships. CONTRIBUTED

By MIKE EASTERLING/ For the Record

MADISON – The future appears to hold vast potential for the James Clemens High School track team.

That optimism filled Jets Coach Drew Bell after his freshmen won their fourth straight North Alabama Junior High Championships hosted by Bob Jones.

Bell said it was “awesome watching our future varsity Jets defeat 24 teams from North Alabama and 1,000 athletes.’’

James Clemens has won championships in all four years of the program’s existence.

The Jets girls won in dominating fashion by notching what Bell said was a meet best ever 158.50 points. City rival Bob Jones was next with 80 points, followed by Scottsboro (73), Randolph (51.50) and Columbia (46.50).

The Jets boys were tied with the Patriots entering the final two events – the pole vault and high jump – and scored higher in both to finish with 98 points. Following were Bob Jones (87), Scottsboro (61), Columbia (47) and Arab (45).

Event winners for the James Clemens boys were Xavier McNight (100-meter dash and 200) and David Batista (triple jump).

Placing first for the Jets girls Shataeya Ligon (100 and 100 hurdles), Elizabeth Holcomb (800) and the 4 x 400 relay team of Lesha Gistarb, Holcombm Ashlee Osaji and Grace Williams.

Winners for Bob Jones included the 4 x 1 team of Jasmine Hill, Mudiare Ikoba, Promise Brown and Kiara Risher; Kiara Risher (high jump); Khalil Griffin (400); John Murray (110 hurdles); and the 4 x 4 team of Zachary Smith, Murray, Aremon Grath and Jean Pierre LeRoux.