Local teams compete at state track meet

Pictured are members of the Russellville High School track team after competing at the state competition last week. From L to R: Coach Jermaine Groce, Shemar Hamilton, Mercedes Darby, Jasmine Buckhalter, Mollie Hester, Chloe Pounders and Coach Tony Buckhalter.

By Bart Moss

For the FCT

The state track and field meets were held last week in Selma (1A-3A) and Gulf Shores (4A-6A) and several Franklin County schools were represented.

The Vina High School girls’ track and field had the most participants of any school competing in the final events. The Red Devils’ Emily Renfrow, Elizabeth Baty, Morgan Humphres and Anna Belle Humphres competed and placed in multiple events.

Tharptown High School turned in two of the top performances. The Wildcats 4×800 meter relay team finished 5^th in the state and Kathy Alfaro finished 7^th in the discus.

Alfaro’s discus distance would have netted her a top ten finish in the 1A through 5A competition.

Below are a list of the participants, events, and place:

5A Girls

Russellville: 4×400 meter relay team (Mercedes Darby, Jasmine Buckhalter, Mollie Hester, Chloe Pounders: 19^th place); Long Jump (Jasmine Buckhalter: 24^th place)

2A Girls

Red Bay: 1600 meter run (Savannah Shaw: 20^th place)

2A Boys

Red Bay: Shot Put (Ricky Esparza: 10^th place; and Austin Belue: 11^th place)

1A Girls   

Tharptown: 1600 meter run (Jessica Wilson: 15^th place); High Jump (Brooke Daniel: 11^th place); Discus (Kathy Alfaro: 7^th place)

Vina: 400 Meter Dash (Morgan Humphres: 14^th place); 800 Meter Dash (Emily Renfroe: 14^th place); 1600 Meter Run (Emily Renfroe: 11^th place; and Elizabeth Baty: 16^th place); 3200 Meter Run (Elizabeth Baty: 11^th place; and Anna Belle Humphres: 13^th place); 4×800 Meter Relay Team (Emily Renfrow, Elizabeth Baty, Morgan Humphres, Anna Bell Humphres: 8^th place); Long Jump (Skyler Smith: 12^th place)

1A Boys

Tharptown: 1600 meter run (Riley Nolen: 13^th place; and Carlos Perez: 16^th place); Discus (Blake Gray); 4×800 meter relay team (Max Nolen, Riley Nolen, Carlos Perez, John Staggs: 5^th palce).

Following this year’s state track and field meets, two Franklin Countians still hold state records in their classifications. Former Red Bay track star Tiffany McWilliams holds the 2A state record in the 800 meter run with a time of 2:19.18. Former Belgreen and current UAH track star Kaitlyn Barber holds the 1A state record in the 100 meter dash with a time of 12.07.