Kylie Gero is the top female runner for the James Clemens cross country team and is a leader of her squad as she looks to complete her senior year on a positive note before she makes her way to college.

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By Bob Labbe

Published 11:05 am Wednesday, October 2, 2024

Dynamic duo: Jets’ Alverson and Gero

James Clemens senior cross country runner Luke Alverson is nationally ranked and has his sights set on signing with a major college.

MADISON – For any high school athletic team having one of the top performers in the state can boost that team in competitions, but to have two extraordinary talents on the same team is a certain bonanza. The James Clemens cross country team has just that scenario having one of the top boys and girls runners in Alabama and the entire country.

Seniors Luke Alverson and Kylie Gero have placed themselves at the top of the Jets’ program through years of hard work and dedication and look to extend their prowess of the trails into college.

“I have yet to commit, but my top three schools within my choice are Jacksonville State, UAB and Southern Mississippi,” said Gero, who wants to study bio-medical sciences and law with her sights set on becoming a medical lawyer. As for Alverson, he, too, has not made a commitment, but has narrowed his choices to Michigan, Duke and UCLA.

The “Dynamic Duo” have made their talents well known across Alabama and nationally, as Alverson recently posted a personal best time of 14:49.25 to win the Southern Showcase, which put him 10th nationally. On the other hand, Gero has a personal best time of 18:32 in the cross country event, which is a school record. She also participates in outdoor and indoor track and last year she claimed All-State status in the indoor season by finishing among the top eight in Alabama in both the 3,200 (11:38) and 1,600 (5:21), both of which are school records.

“I’m up at five a.m. doing workouts and I feel I’ve formed genuine friendships through our team since I joined our squad coming over to the sport from playing soccer,” said the 5-foot-8 Gero. “I love running. A runner’s high is a real thing and it’s awesome. Running gives me personal fulfillment as I feel that way as I challenge myself.”

Her connection and devotion to the sport includes having a vanity license plate on her 2005 Chevy Tahoe, which reads “RUNFST,” which stands for run fast.

“I believe the one word that best describes my