Florala High School as well as Red Level School had successful performances during The AHSAA 1A-3A State Track Championships, with four state championships on Friday May 5, and May 6 in Cullman.
The Florala boys’ team was third overall in the state.
“We had 26 students who set school records, and genuinely amazed many people. We were six and a quarter points away from getting the championship, and three points away from becoming the state runner-up. We are extremely satisfied with the team and we were successful on both sides. The boys made it to make it to state that’s quite a bit for a school in the 1A category. It’s been a lot of fun and there’s been lots of excitement about. ” the Head Coach of Track Jordan Cantrell said.
Zane Weeks, Kaden Cantrell, Johan Zamora, and Rayshon Coleman came in as champions of the state in the 4×400-meter relay in a record school timing of 3:38.04. Weeks also took home an overall state javelin championship by a the measurement of 160 feet 4 inches.
“If I hadn’t had my teammates supporting me, I’d not be in this situation. Without their support being behind, it doesn’t necessarily matter. There aren’t many teams that have the chance to win state championships and Florala is among the few teams to achieve this. Being able to get Florala onto the national map an exciting feeling. I’ve been practicing the javelin since the beginning of my sophomore year but began doing it more seriously in the this year. I was forced to split my training with running as well as javelin. The encouragement I’ve received is a great motivation to continue and push myself over and beyond,” Weeks said.
“I haven’t been practicing as much, but I do have a lot affection for the seniors and tried my best. It’s amazing to be a part of their leadership and the recognition is much,” Coleman said.
“This is my very first time in the school in high school, and I’d been preparing to get here from February. It’s great to be leaving the high school system with such an success and I’m satisfied to be an Wildcat,” Zamora said.
“It is an honor that we represent Florala as the state champion. We are extremely grateful to everyone who has been supportive of our team this year in track. I was fortunate that my father was able to helping me and push me to go further. There aren’t many who have this opportunity,” Cantrell added.
Elijah McMeans finished in second spot for both his 110-meter hurdle as well as 300-meter hurdles. Seth Cotton was third in 110-meter and fifth in the 300-meter. Zamora placed sixth in the 800-meter race. Judd Goolsby, Coleman, McMeans and Weeks finished second in the 4×100 meters relay. John Howell, Layton Stone, Noah Anderson, and Zamora were sixth in the 4×800 meter relay.
Field events included Weeks get the second spot in discus, McMeans third in high jump and Coleman with a fifth-place finish for high jump and ninth in long jump. Emery Wood notched third place in both the 800-meter run as well as the 1600-meter run. Christina Sanders was fifth in the 1600-meter race.
“Red Level’s” Miracle Wright won the 1A state championship in the 100-meter sprint and the 200-meter run. Wright took home the 100-meter dash crown for the second time in a row this year. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
Miracle Wright at Red Level has won two state championships, the 100-meter race with an average of 12.89 seconds and the 200-meter dash with a time of 26.68 seconds. Wright was the winner of the state title in the 100-meter run for the third time in a row.
“It was really satisfying to be a winner as this is my 9th grade year. It’s a significant year for colleges to recognize me. I’d like to go back to university for track. I was very happy to win and it was really a satisfying feeling. It’s nice to have my family and friends who are behind me, as it is 10 times more difficult without it. My grandmother died, but I am devoted to her. A medical issue early in my life led me to this point which I am happy about because my name is always in the walls in the race track.” Wright said.
Malikye Wright was eighth in the 300-meter hurdles. Jackson Ingram earned 15th. Luke Hodges took 14th in the 1600-meter race. Tony Veasey finished in fifth position with a distance of 114 feet eight inches of discus, and 40-09.00 on shot put. Dominic Williams was eighth in javelin while Kentravious Likely landed 15th for discus.
Opp’s Damirian Thompson finished fifth in the high jump with a height of 5-10.00. Le’Tasia Coleman placed 10th place in the 300-meter hurdles, followed by Crystal Rogers in 22nd. Saban Sasser was 21st on the 800-meter race. Alan Jones was 20th in high jump with a time of 5-04.00. Mackenzie Phillips and Brooke Williams were 14th and 23rd respectively in javelin.
Pleasant Home had two runner-up results in pole vault, by Vance Kelley at 11-00.00 and Pressley Kelley who was 7-06.00. Chris Scott was sixth at 9-00.00. Jackson Hawkins earned a time of 5:21.68 for ninth position in the 1600-meter race and was 13th on the 800-meter race. Briley Douglas clocked an impressive 71.1 feet to be 16th place in discus. Brody Bryan was 18th in 300-meter hurdles. Chloe Bush notched 24th place in javelin by a distance of 51 feet 9 inches. Joel Wilkinson and Bryan were 19th and 14th in the triple jumps, respectively.
Aaron Olhava led Straughn with the eighth-place final in the long jump with a time of 19-09.75. Kaitlyn Bybee was 10th in the 3200-meter race. Avery Smith finished in 11th in shot put, and Kayla Stephens placed 11th in discus and 17th place in shot put. Will Anderson grabbed 12th in triple jump, while Chloe Anderson took 21st in javelin. Faithe Eib was 15th in the 1600-meter race and 20th at the 800-meter race. The girls’ 4×800-meter relay team ran an average time of 11:43.71 which was seventh on the list of state champions.
The article Athletes from Florala, Red Level bring home state titles following the track championships was first published at The Andalusia Star-News.
