Lady Patriots Repeat as State Champions;
Boys Take Second
Story Courtesy of Homewoodathletics.com
Homewood’s girls track and field team won the 6A AHSAA State Championship in Gulf Shores, and it is the second outdoor championship in a row for the girls. That is the 7th state championship for the track and field program and the 10th for the T&F/Cross Country program. Kiara Williams, an Alabama signee, led the team by winning all four of her events (triple jump, long jump, 100m hurdles, and 300m hurdles). Kiara broke the state record in long jump by jumping 20 ft. 5 in., and she is currently ranked #2 in the U.S.
Sarah Blake, a Kentucky signee, won the javelin and was only four feet away from breaking the state record. The girls 4x400m relay team of Elysa Griffin, Ann Mosely Whitsett, Joy Korley, and Hunter Midgett got a win to close out the meet. Ann Mosely Whitsett had great performances by placing 2nd in the 800m and 3rd in the 400m. Elysa Griffin placed 3rd in the 200m and ran an outstanding time against excellent competition, and she placed in both the long jump and the 100m. Caroline Lawrence had her best meet of the year and earned All-State honors by clearing 5-2 and placing 3rd in high jump. Many athletes contributed to the win by placing in the top 8 and scoring valuable points. Those who placed are listed below.
The boys team lost to an excellent and well-rounded Opelika team. Alazae Hester-Taylor led Homewood by winning the 300m hurdles and placing 3rd in both the triple jump and 110m Hurdles. Andy Smith won a tremendous 1600m and ran a 4:17. Andy also placed 3rd in the 3200m and 4th in the 800m. The boys 4x800m relay team of Logan Sadler, Sean Conboy, Pierce Jackson, and Hunter Poole won with an impressive performance. Logan Sadler earned All-State honors in both the 800m and 1600m by placing in the top three. Dominique Linson got 2nd in the high jump by clearing 6 ft. 4 in. The boys 4x100m of Tommy Donaldson, Lawton Dorough, Dominque Linson, and Teverius Lindsey earned All-State honors by placing 2nd.
Homewood is coached by Tom Esslinger, Lars Porter, Josh Donaldson, Deanna Swope, Brittany Steele, Thomas Fowlkes, and Kenneth Hollis.
Individual State Champions
Sarah Blake – Javelin
Alazae Hester-Taylor – 300m Hurdles
Andy Smith – 1600m
Kiara Williams – Long Jump, Triple Jump, 100m Hurdles, 300m Hurdles
State Champion Relay Teams
Boys 4x800m – Logan Sadler, Sean Conboy, Pierce Jackson, and Hunter Poole
Girls 4x400m – Elysa Griffin, Ann Mosely Whitsett, Joy Korley, and Hunter Midgett
All-State (Top 3)
Elysa Griffin – 200m
Ann Mosely Whitsett – 400m, 800m
Caroline Lawrence – High Jump
Logan Sadler – 800m, 1600m
Andy Smith – 3200m
Alazae Hester-Taylor – 110m Hurdles, Triple Jump
Dominique Linson – High Jump
4x100m – Tommy Donaldson, Lawton Dorough, Dominique Linson, & Teverius Lindsey
Athletes who scored points (Top 8):
Elysa Griffin – 6th 100m, 6th in Long Jump
Hunter Midgett – 4th 400m
Lainey Phelps – 5th 3200m, 5th Pole Vault, 6th 1600m
Madison Kirkwood – 8th 100m Hurdles
Christian Hill – 7th in Triple Jump, 8th in High Jump
Sarah Blake – 7th in Discus
Sarah Crocker – 5th in Javelin
4x800m 5th – Edie Smith, Ann Mosely Whitsett, Virginia Givhan, Mary V. Spencer
Andy Smith – 4th 800m
Hunter Poole – 6th 1600m
Alex Ngei – 6th 3200m
Alazae Hester-Taylor – 7th High Jump
Jackson White – 5th Pole Vault
Jake Vella – 6th Pole Vault
Lawton Dorough – 8th Long Jump
Patrick Domingo – 6th Javelin
