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HHS boys win state title in indoor track

Homewood High School Boys Track & Field team won its second consecutive 5A Indoor State Championship on Feb. 3-4.

The title is the program’s third track and field state championship and the fifth for the track and cross country program.

Homewood led the meet from start to finish and beat second-place St. Paul’s by 52 points.

“This is the most complete team we have ever had, and our coaching staff is so proud of all of the athletes for being so dedicated and committed,” Head Track & Field Coach Tom Esslinger said. “We scored in every single event except the 400-meter, where we had an injury. The fact that we had so many competitors contribute combined with the way those not competing cheered shows how everyone truly did their part to help us have success.”

Andy Smith and Alazae Hester-Taylor led the varsity boys in the win. Smith won both the 1,600-meter and the 3,200-meter and was the anchor leg of the 4x800-meter relay that set the state record. Hester-Taylor scored in four events and finished first in triple jump, second in high jump, third in the 60-meter hurdles and fourth in long jump. The 4x800-meter relay team of Logan Sadler, Mike Rohdy, Hunter Poole and Andy Smith set the state record to win the event. Additionally, the Patriots had 10 other athletes who earned All-State honors by placing in the top three.

The varsity girls also placed second in the state meet for the second year in a row behind powerhouse St. Paul’s.

“We hate it for our girls because they are such a great team, and they really performed well,” Esslinger said. “St. Paul’s has been an unbelievable team the last several years and had an amazing meet, but I know our girls will continue to work hard and get better so we can have a chance to beat them during the outdoor season.”

Kiara Williams had the best performance ever for a Homewood track athlete. She earned four gold medals by winning the long jump, triple jump, 60-meter, and the 4x200-meter relay. Williams is also nationally ranked in both long jump and triple jump. Freshman Ann Mosely Whitsett also let Homewood by winning the 800-meter, placing second in the 400-meter and placing third in the 1,600-meter. She was also a member of the 4x400-meter relay team that placed second. The 4x200-meter relay team of Elyssa Griffin, Kiara Williams, Christian Hill and Hunter Midgette set the state record. Seven other girls earned All-State honors by placing in the top three.

In addition to Esslinger, team coaches are Lars Porter (head cross-country coach), Josh Donaldson, Rebecca Phillips, Michael Niezgoda and John Schultz.

-Submitted by Tom Esslinger

Individual and Relay State Champions

All-State Performers

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