An athlete must place in the top 25 in the state in order to qualify for State Championships. L to R Stephanie Fuentes, Chloe Pounders, Shemar Hamilton, Mollie Hester, Mercedes Darby, and Zara Perez

The Russellville High School Track Team ended a successful season at the State Championship meet in Gulf Shores, Ala. last week. The team had a great year according to Coach Buckhalter.

“We had a pretty decent year,” Buckhalter said. “The relay team improved their times and each individual improved their personal event times.”

The state qualifiers for the Russellville High School Varsity Track and Field made the top 25 and competed for the state championship.

Those who competed were Chloe Pounders, Mercedes Darby, Mollie Hester, Stephanie Perez, and Shemar Hamilton.

Chloe Pounders, Mercedes Darby, and Mollie Hester set the school record last year in the 2014 girls 4x400M relay.

Mollie Hester holds a school record for the varsity girls 400 meter, running it at a 1:04.74 and Mercedes Darby holds a school record for the varsity girls 200 meter at 28:11.

“The seniors came along great and really did good for us this year improving their times for the 4×400 meter relay team. I was tickled to get everyone to run at the State Championship,” Buckhalter said.

Chloe Pounders, Mercedes Darby, Mollie Hester, Stephanie Fuentes, Zara Perez, and Shemar Hamilton all competed at the state competition level.

Hamilton, the only boy on the team to reach the state level, finished 12th in the 200 meter and 20th in the 100 meter in the varsity boys. Mollie Hester finished 16th in 400 meter varsity girls.

Chloe Pounders, Mercedes Darby, Mollie Hester, and Stephanie Fuentes finished 13th in the 4×400 meter relay in the varsity girls division.

Mercedes Darby, Mollie Hester, and Shemar Hamilton are all seniors this year. Russellville High School will return Chloe Pounders, Stephanie Fuentes, and Zara Perez for next season.

“I’m really happy for our team and our seniors this year. They were a great group to coach and have,” Buckhalter said. “We started the year as a team running the 4×400 meter relay at a 5:35. We improved that time over the season cutting a little over a minute off that time to a 4:33 mark.

“I’m really happy to see the team improve on their time like that. It was great to see them work so hard and accomplish that,” Buckhalter said.