Girls lead the way at the State Outdoor Track Championships

GULF SHORES – “Girl Power” is what led the local athletes at the 102nd AHSAA State Outdoor Track Championships held in Gulf Shores as four state champions, all girls, came from within the four local schools of the immediate areas of Madison.

James Clemens girls finished fifth as a team in Class 7A competition with both Erihana Johnson and London Hall taking state titles in sprint events. The juniors for the Lady Jets used their “jets” to propel to gold medals. Johnson took the 100-meter sprint with a winning time of 12.07 seconds with teammate Hall in the runner-up spot at 12.19. Meanwhile, Hall won the 200-meter race with a winning time of 24.28 as Johnson took the bronze medal in third with a time of 24.68. The Jets’ twosome were ranked 1-2 going into the State Meet.

“Both are very talented with great leadership qualities and are each driven to accomplish what they show with leadership skill,” said Elan Gaddy, head coach of the James Clemens track program.

“When I lined up at the start I automatically thought to myself, fast, as I started out fast and then maintained my speed and made sure I didn’t fall as a head wind was pushing me back during the race,” said the 5-foot-3, 112-pound Johnson, who has been heavily recruited by big-name schools for college. The now five-time state champion added, “When I finished, London came over to me to tell me we finished one-two in the race. The experience was exciting, I felt joy and had happy tears.”

For the 5-foot-6, 125-pound Hall, who is also being heavily recruited by colleges, she, too, got out fast from the start line of the 200-meter race. “Once I got to the first curve I drove through the curve making sure I was in position for the remainder of the race. I then hit my maximum velocity using my endurance and stamina to finish strong. I feel my being aggressive at the start was big for me.” Hall, who only took up the sport of track at the end of her freshman year in school, finished ahead of the runner-up who posted a time of 24.62.

“Erihana is the state record holder in the 60-meter indoor event,” added Gaddy. “She’s strong with good front side mechanics and is a great accelerator. London is very powerful and has the talent to hold her top speed more than anyone in the state.”

Bob Jones recorded one state champion in the 2026 State Meet with senior Kalah Christopher winning the long jump with a blast of 18-feet, 10.25-inches. Bob Jones longtime track coach Brad Jefferson spoke of Christopher’s talents. “I didn’t know that much fight could live in such a small package as she has grit, heart and the hunger to learn and I haven’t seen anything like it in my 27 years of coaching. This is just the beginning for her as a new journey is in front of her with college and I have no doubt she’s going to be amazing.”

In Class 4A, a phenomenal performance by eight grade athlete Cora Rimes who set a new state record in that classification in the high jump of 5-feet, 2-inches. As a seventh grade student-athlete a year ago, she was eighth at the State Meet. The 5-foot-10, 130-pounder was a member of the Madison Academy volleyball team earlier in the school year and said she’s looking at trying out for the cheerleading squad next fall instead of volleyball. As for track, it all began in the fourth grade when a coach showed her the correct form to use in the high jump. “I feel that’s why I’m here today as State Champion,” said Rimes, 14. “I really didn’t expect to win as the defending champion, a senior, was also competing, but she failed on her attempts at both the five-foot and five-two jumps. I made all of mine, thus I was the winner. For me, the winning jump was because I stayed calm and was confident as I went down my 47foot approach of the bar. I truly believe my core strength push helped me get over the bar at five-two and that core strength came from my 10 years of ballet and other forms of dance.”

The overall team scores from the State Meet include: Class 7A- Boys 1. Hoover 130, 13. Sparkman 15.5, 15. James Clemens 13, 22. Bob Jones 4; Girls 1. Auburn 112.5, 5. James Clemens 50, 7. Sparkman 43, 7. Bob Jones 43; Class 4A- Boys 1. Anniston 82, 13. Madison Academy 19; Girls 1. Hamilton 52.5, 21. Madison Academy 10.

The top eight in each event were named All-State. Here are the results for each local school: Bob Jones- Girls, 100m- 5. Kalah Christopher, 12, 12.60, 300m hurdles- 3. Kalah Christopher, 12, 43.99, 400m- 4. Alivia Urrutia, 11, 57.37, high jump- 2. Jasmyne, 11, 5-06 (lost in jump off), 3. JaKyah Smith, 12, 5-04, javelin- 5. Maile Wallace, 12, 11510, long jump- 1. Kalah Christopher, 12, 18-10.25, Boys, 4x400m relay- 5. Bob Jones 3:21.62.

James Clemens- Girls, 100m-1. Erihana Johnson, 11, 12.07, 2. London Hall, 11, 12.19, 200m- 1. London Hall, 11, 24.28, 3. Erihana Johnson, 11, 24.68, 800m-6. Claire Colo, 12, 2:18.13, long jump- Trinity Milligan, 10, 1710.25, triple jump- 3. Trinity Milligan, 10, 39-07.50, 4×400 relay- 7. James Clemens 3:58.71, 4×800 relay- James Clemens 9:58.60, Boys, 100m- 4. Trevor Caudle, 11, 11.24, 200m- 2. Trevor Caudle, 11, 22.19.

Sparkman- Girls, 100m- 7. Anijha Evans, 10, 12.88, discus-3. Charity Collier, 12, 122-05, high jump- 5. Olivia Bozeman, 12, 5-02, long jump- Nia Scipio, 12, 17-11.75, pole vault- 5. Sara Zollinger, 12, 10-06, shot put- 2. Charity Collier, 12, 39-11, triple jump- 4. Nia Scipio, 12, 3904, 4x100m relay- 3. Sparkman, 48.38, 4x400m relay- 5. Sparkman, 3:57.06, Boys- 4x400m relay- 3. Sparkman, 3:18.01, shot put- 6. Siler Lawrence, 11, 49-00.25, high jump- 8. Gavin Washington, 11, 6-00, discus- 7. Chris Hamm, 11, 152-08, 8. Malik Crutcher, 12, 152-05, 3200m-8. Reed Perry, 11, 9:39.49, 400m-7. Malachi Bozeman, 11, 48.88.

Madison Academy- Girls, high jump- 1. Cora Rimes, 8, 5-02, Boys- 110m hurdles- 4. Cameron Childress, 10, 15.86, 300m hurdles- 2. Cameron Childress, 10, 39.48, 800m- 3. Max Patterson, 8, 1:58.32.