Vina javelin throw misses state record by three feet

Vina High School senior Karmin Scott earned a state championship in Class 1A girls’ javelin Saturday morning at the AHSAA 1A-3A Outdoor State Track and Field Championships in Cullman. Scott’s throw of 126.4 feet was good enough for the state title and within three feet of the state record.

Scott was sitting ninth among nine finalists until her final jump in the triple jump with an impressive 32-10.25 feet, good enough to put her in the lead, but Estella Connell of the Donoho School, with one jump remaining, scored a 33-08 and finished first. Scott finished second in the triple jump.

Scott also brought home second place in the long jump (15-05.75) and fourth in the discus (90-05) on Friday.

After the meet, Scott was named the 1A-3A Girls MVP based on her 31 individual points, the best among all female athletes who competed in the two-day event.

“Karmin worked hard all season toward this goal,” said her coach Richie Hester. “When she dominated the recent Deshler Invitational held April 13th, Scott remained focused for the next step of her team’s season–the state championship meet. She’s been winning against girls from much larger schools and classifications her entire career, so this is nothing new for Karmin. She was definitely eyeing a state championship and I’m so proud of her for getting it.”

Scott earned 10 points for her javelin first place finish, eight points for each second place finish (triple jump and long jump) and five points for her fourth place finish in discus.

Vina’s Sara Harper earned a fourth-place finish in the high jump early Friday morning with a jump of 4’10” representing her personal best. Belgreen’s Noelle Willingham finished seventh in the triple jump, with her best effort of 30-08.50.

Vina freshman Kaley Attaway qualified for state in the discus and finished twenty-third, and the Red Devils’ Nate Stidham finished fourteenth in the boys’ discus event.
After Friday (day one of the two-day event), Vina’s girls were in third place.

Coach Richie Hester’s team finished sixth in the State with 35 total points out of over 40 schools that participated, one point out of the top five. Marion County High School won the girls’ team championship with 91 points.

“This track and field season’s success was the result of teamwork,” said Hester. “This program isn’t about one athlete. It’s about working together as a team and we did that well this year. I’m excited about the future.”