Jets Open Track Season Flying High

OXFORD, AL.- The James Clemens Jets track team zipped out of the starting block with Jet power to open the 2018 outdoor track season by nearly dominating the Oxford Invitational and posted its best opening meet in school history.

The Lady Jets won first place while the boys finished second in the action that featured 22 schools at the new Choccolocco Park IAAF Olympic Certified Track Facility in Oxford, AL.

“We did very well and our athletes have responded well after most had just completed the indoor season a few weeks ago,” said Drew Bell head coach of James Clemens. “We had some fantastic performances and this was a great way to start our outdoor season.”

For the girls, six athletes took gold medals including Ashlee Osaji (200m, 26.17; long jump, 18-01.5; 4X100, 48.24), Shataeya Ligon (100m hurdles, 14.91; triple jump, 37-07.5; 4X100, 48.24), Vada Samuels (400m, 58.16; 4X100, 48.24), Liz Holcomb (800m, 2:29.92), Zuri Falkner (shot put, 37-01.5) and Aajiah Watkins (4X100, 48.24).

The 4X100 relay squad, with its time of 48.24-seconds, set a new school record and is ranked No. 1 in Alabama.

Runner-up performances included Shataeya Ligon (100m, 12.69), Aajiah Watkins (200m, 26.94; long jump, 17-02) Lesha Gistarb (100m hurdles, 16.13), Rachel Seeley (300m hurdles, 51.85) and Paitlyn McGee (high jump, 4-08).

The team scores were 1. James Clemens 181.5, 2. Fort Payne 83.50.

The boys were runner-up to Vestavia Hills 165 to 113. Nolan Smith had two winning efforts (400m, 50.77; 200m, 22.91). Additional gold medal winners were Collier Robinson (long jump, 21-05.5), Avery Moore (4X800, 8:34.16), Alex Shah (4X800m, 8:34.16), Patrick Neeley (4X800m, 8:34.16) and Korey Shively (4X800m, 8:34.16).

Runner-up spots for the Jets were Nolan Smith (100m, 11.08), David Batista (triple jump, 42-03) and Miguel Cortes (javelin, 156-09).

Overall, the Jets won 37 medals with 18 gold, 8 silver and 10 bronze.