Local Athletes Stand Above Others At Indoor Track State Meet
BIRMINGHAM- James Clemens led the contingency of athletes from local schools at the 23rd annual AHSAA Indoor Track State Meet held in Birmingham. The boys team from James Clemens had the highest finish ever by a Madison City School claiming third place out of 32 teams.
Individually, Luke Alverson of James Clemens was tops by winning two state titles at the meet held at the CrossPlex. Alverson won both the 1,600meter run (4:16.10) and 3,200m (9:23.78). Three additional athletes from the four local schools each won a state championship. Those included Jasmyne Rochelle from Bob Jones who took the high jump competition (5-foot-4-inch), Alijah Vaughn of Sparkman won the 60m dash (6.84) and Madison Academy’s Selano Thomas was first in the boys 60m dash (7.20) among Class 1A-3A action.
The final teams scores were: James Clemens- Boys, 3. 56.5, Girls, 16. 12.5; Bob Jones- Boys, 14. 9, Girls 9. 27; Sparkman- Boys, 6. 29, Girls, 13. 14; Madison Academy- Boys, 13. 16.
For Alverson, the junior also took home a silver medal as part of the 4×800 relay team, which included Cole Robinson, Dylan Dryer and John Luke Stovall. Alverson is currently ranked among the top 10 distance runners in the country.
For Sparkman’s Vaughn, he began the season with a first place victory at the Magic City Invitational. His winning ways continued throughout the season as a solo runner and as a member of relays squads which took home several first place awards. His winning time of 6.84 seconds in the 60m dash at the State Meet also ranked him third in the country among sophomore athletes and was the best time in Alabama among all classifications. Vaughn was also part of two relay teams which set new school records as the 4×200 team was second (1:30.12) and the 4×400 squad was third (3:27.25).
One additional highlight for James Clemens came from the performance of freshman sensation Erihana Johnson who was runner-up in the 60m sprint and set a new school record with a time of 7.73.
The final results of medal winning performances included: James Clemens- Girls: 60m, 2. Erihana Johnson, 7.73, Boys: 1,600m, 1. Luke Alverson, 4:16.10, 3,200m, 1. Luke Alverson, 9:23.78, 3. Cole Robinson, 9:28.80, 60m hurdles, 3. Benjamin Thomason, 8.14, 4x800m, 2. James Clemens, 7:57.62; Bob Jones- Girls: 400m, 2. Alivia Urrutia, 56.33, high jump, 1. Jasmyne Rochelle, 5-4; Sparkman- Girls: shot put, 2. Charity Collier, 36-2.5, Boys: 60m, 1. Alijah Vaughn, 1. 6.84, 4x200m, 2. Sparkman, 1:30.18, 4x400m, 3. Sparkman, 3:27.25; Madison Academy- Boys: 60m, 1. Selano Thomas, 7.20, 400m, 3. Jackson Reece, 51.95.
