Russellville’s Barnes wins AHSAA Class 5A javelin state championship

The Russellville High School track and field program was well-represented at the AHSAA Class 5A State Meet held in Gulf Shores May 2-4. Coaches Chris Boatwright and Darbi Crumpton lead the Russellville boys and girls during the season.

Tait Barnes of the RHS boys’ team won the state championship for 5A javelin with a throw of 170-08.

“I am proud of Tait and his accomplishment of winning a state title this season,” said Boatwright. “He has worked hard the past two years to get to this point. He wanted a Top 3 finish coming back from a sixth place finish last year,” he added. “One throw put him in that number one spot, and the celebration began. Tait has been a staple to our throws program these past two years, and I am excited for him to continue his athletics at the University of Alabama Huntsville. He accepted an offer from there Monday last week.”

The Golden Tigers finished 14th in the overall boys’ team standings. Scottsboro was first, John Carroll Catholic took second and Arab finished third.

Russellville athletes competing in boys’ events also included EJ King with a fourth-place finish in high jump, Cash Crumpton with an eighth-place finish in javelin and a top 15 finish in long jump, Cam Phinizee top 15 in 100 meters, Skylar Ergle top 15 in 110-meter hurdles and Shiloh Willis top 25 in shot put.

RHS girls Ari Willingham and Keira Cruse competed at the state meet. Willingham had top 25 finishes in both 100 and 200 meters. Cruse excelled in the jumping events, coming home with top 15 finishes in both the long jump and triple jump.

Scottsboro also won the state championship in the girls’ team standings. Arab finished second and Beauregard was third.