Expanded Alabama meet has lots to offer

By Arthur L. Mack for DyeStat

A new classification as well as an additional day of competition could create some major excitement in the Alabama High School Athletic Association's Class 4A-5A-6A-7A state track and field championships at the Gulf Shores Sports Complex in Gulf Shores this weekend.

With the addition of Class 7A, it means the meet will start on Thursday. That means an extra day of competition, which will include mostly qualifying in the sprint events.

There are a large number of athletes in each classification to watch, as numerous stars have made their mark this season. Let's take a preview of what to expect in the next three days, according to classification:

CLASS 7A: By far, this is the most competitive class, and it has no lack of outstanding performers.

Among team favorites, Hoover and Auburn have a major battle among the boys. Both teams have had individuals who have had strong performances, and expect both these teams to have a say as to who takes home the title.

Hoover is led by 400-meter sprinters Joshua Hall and Michael Bagley, bot of whom have run in the 48-second range. They, along with 1,600 and 3,200-meter ace Tommy McDonough and high jumper Dean Lepianka, lead a solid cast of athletes who are capable of scoring in every event.

Meanwhile Auburn is led by 800/1,600-meter star Paul Barlow, long jumper Daron Hooks and hurdler Alex Evans, ranked among the best in the state.

The sprints should be very competitive, with Joshua Burks of Madison's James Clemens the favorite in the 100 and 200. As for the long jump, it could be wide open, with Damon Williams of Gadsden City, Mobile Baker's Juwan Gaynor, Hewitt-Trussville's Noah Igbinoghene, Central-Phenix City's Karon Delince and Hooks.

One of the most interesting battles could be in the pole vault, where Mobile's McGill-Toolen Catholic's Sean Collins, the state's first-ever 17-footer, goes into the meet has the heavy favorite. Chasing Collins will be his teammate Chris Taylor and Vestavia Hills' Whitt Harrelson.

Among the girls, Hoover, led by hurdler/jumper Brittley Humphrey, sprinter/hurdler Caitlyn Little and 800-meter runner Presley Weems, appears to be the favorite. In fact, Hoover is as loaded as it has been in years, and like their male counterparts, is capable of scoring in every event.

The battle could very well be for second, with Auburn, led by long/triple jumper Camille Franks and hurdler A'Kasia Frazier, and Mountain Brook, with a strong distance crew led by 800-meter runner Sanders Reed, 1,600-meter runner Frances Patrick and 3,200-meter runner Anna Grace Morgan.

All eyes will be on McGill-Toolen Catholic's Margaret Ollinger, as she once again attempts to clear 13-feet again in the girls' pole vault. She has done it several times already.

CLASS 6A: It could be a two-team battle in the boys and girls, as both Homewood and Opelika have solid performers.

Homewood's boys are led by distance ace Andy Smith, hurdler/jumper Alazae Hester-Taylor and long jumper Lawton Dorough. Opelika counters with Nathaniel Huggins,who is favored to win the 100, 200 and 400, along with 1,600/3,200-meter star Ben Bryant. Huggins, in fact, ran a 47.11 400 in last week's sectional met. Could a sub-47 be far off?

Huggins, however, could get a strong challenge from Carver-Montgomery's Ismail Saleem in the 100 and 200. Saleem had some strong times in both events at last week's sectionals, winning in 10.71 and 21.60 respectively.

Other teams expected to make some noise in Class 6A boys are Spanish Fort, Cullman, Blount and Tuscaloosa Northridge.

Homewood seems to have the edge in the girls' division, as it has a solid team from top to bottom. Leading the Patriots is Kiara Williams, who is the favorite in the 300-meter hurdles, long jump, and triple jump. Williams has gone well over 19 feet in the long jump this season, and is undoubtedly primed to have another strong showing in that event.

Individually, look out for Birmingham-Woodlawn's Jayla Kirkland, who is favored to win the 100, 200 and 400; Decatur-Austin's Antoinette Jordan in the long jump; Bessemer City's Autavia Fluker in the shot put, Tuscaloosa-Northridge's Indyia Summerville in the discus, and Spanish Fort's Olivia Swan (high jump, 300-meter hurdles, 400 and 800).

CLASS 5A: It looks like Mobile's St Paul's Episcopal could be in the running for another state title — on the boys' side as well as the girls.

St. Paul's boys are led by distance ace Reece Stevens, hurdler Zack Carmichael, and sprinter Miller Mosley, and could very well have a very strong showing at state. But the Saints will not only have to contend with crosstown rival Faith Academy, led by sprinter/jumper Tyler Bell and 200-meter/triple jumper Shawntell Benard, but some solid upstate competition, including Tallassee and Columbia, led by star sprinter Alize Ford.

As for the girls' competition, St. Paul's is looking to get a new winning streak started after losing last year's 5A state title to Homewood by one point. The Saints don't have to worry Homewood this year, but could still face a challenge from several other teams. St. Paul's has some strong competitors, including sprinter/jumper Emily Burrowes, hurdler/jumper Charlotte Krause, and seventh-grade distance ace Isabel Valenzuela.

St. Paul's toughest competition could come from another school that broke another Mobile-are school's state winning streak last year — Beauregard.

Beauregard, led by javelin thrower/jumper Kylee Carter, defeated UMS-Wright in the 4A girls' championship, and would like nothing better than to pick up another championship trophy.

Individually's Huntsville-Butler's Na' Asha Robinson is favored to win the 100, 200, and 400.

CLASS 4A: The team many feel could win it all is Mobile's UMS-Wright — in the boys and girls.

On the boys' side, distance ace Robert Hope has been bothered with a leg injury, but if he is healed enough, could have a solid performance in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200.

But Hope is not the only weapon in UMS-Wright's arsenal. Sprinter/jumper Jawon McDowell, javelin thrower Chris Majure, pole vaulter Patrick Howze, and a host of others are expected to get the Bulldogs some much needed points.

Sipsey Valley, led by 1,600-meter runner Jonathan Pearce, Dadeville and Brooks appear to be the teams that will challenge UMS-Wright in the boys' division.

UMS-Wright's girls could very well be strong enough to regain the title it lost last year. Sarah Morris will be relied on to get vital points in the shot, javelin, and discus, while Gracie Hunt and Aryon McDowell will be relied on to get plenty of points in the jumps. In addition, Rose Brutkiewicz is the top pole vaulter in 4A, and is heavily favored to win that event.

Deshler, Brooks, and Handley are the other teams expected to finish in the top four.

Individually, there are high expectations for Catholic-Montgomery's Amaris Tyynismaa. The eighth-grade sensation has run some eye-popping times this season and no one should be surprised if she has a record-setting performance at the state meet.