By Chanel Bingham | Special to the Advertiser

The Isabella High School track and field team celebrated a successful season, which culminated with several team members bringing home state champion titles this past weekend from the 1A State Finals in Cullman.

Junior Jaqarise Stacy placed first in the long jump with a jump of 21 feet. Senior Tyler Smitherman also brought home a state champion title, placing first in the discus with a throw of 163.6 feet.

In the boys 4 x 100 meter relay, Jaqarise Stacey (first leg), Jarred Campbell (second leg), Jordan Campbell (third leg) and Hunter Langston (final leg) worked together to secure first place and claim the gold medal.

Senior Hunter Langston shared that it is the relay that he will miss the most once he graduates. “I will miss the relay the most, because we worked really hard at it,” said Langston. “We beat a bunch of teams this year, but we also competed in some bigger meets and finished kind of low. That got our hopes down a little bit, but we kept pushing and never gave up.”

Because of their determination and persistence, the Isabella boys track and field team finished third overall out of 26 teams with a total of 77 points.

In the triple jump, Stacy placed second, Jarred Campbell placed third and C.J. LeCroy placed fourth.

In the discus, C.J. LeCroy placed third. In the boys shot put and 100-meter dash, Langston placed fourth. C.J. LeCroy also placed sixth in the boys javelin throw.

The girls also found success at the state finals, earning eighth place out of 31 teams. Team member Olivia Owens pushed through cold rain and strong winds to secure a second place finish in the discus.

“We had to compete in bad weather on Friday [May 5],” said Owens. “It was freezing and the discus kept slipping out my hands.”

Despite bad weather, the girls continued their winning streak. Katelyn Smitherman brought home a third place finish in the discus and secured second place in the javelin throw.

Coach Rex Littleton said he is proud of his team and the positive attitude they have maintained all season.

“I don’t have to worry about these young men and women on or off the field. They work hard and are respectful.” said Littleton. “They do what their supposed to do, and they represent our high school and community very well.”

 

Additional team members who qualified as state finalists included:

• Synia Chattman: girls high jump, long jump and triple jump
• Kiara Ford: girls long jump and triple jump
• Kinley Tuttle: girls javelin throw
• Reid Mitchell: boys 110 m hurdles
• James Patterson: boys high jump
• Austin Headley: boys pole vault
• Branden Evans: boys discus throw
• Cole Atchison: boys javelin throw
• Daniel Martinez: boys javelin throw