Homewood boys win state indoor track title, girls second
Threepeat! The Homewood High boys indoor track and field team won its third straight state championship by capturing the Class 6A crown on Feb. 7 at the Birmingham CrossPlex.
The Homewood girls were narrowly edged for the state championship by Pelham.
This is the ninth state championship in the program’s history and gives the boys a chance to win their second triple crown (cross-country, indoor and outdoor) in a row if they can win outdoor.
Opelika, which was runner-up to Hoover last outdoor season in 6A, was a very well-rounded team, and everyone had to be at their best to beat them.
“We knew it was going to take our very best to beat a team like Opelika, and I cannot say enough about the efforts our athletes gave in making that happen,” said Homewood head coach Tom Esslinger. “Everyone really relied on their training and performed at a high level. They did exactly what our staff wanted and took one event at a time. We paid attention to the details all season to make something big happen.”
The girls team also had a battle on their hands with Pelham, which was runner-up last indoor season in 6A. Unfortunately, Pelham ended up beating Homewood, which was trying to repeat last year’s outdoor state championship performance. It went down to the 4x400-meter relay, which is the very last event. Even though Homewood won the event, Pelham finished in third, and that was good enough to give the Lady Panthers the 2-point win.
“We really had an outstanding meet, but Pelham just never made a mistake,” Esslinger said. “Both teams outperformed projections and had tremendous performances throughout the two-day meet. We are so proud of the fact that our girls fought for every single point and never gave up. We believe this will make us better in the long run, and we feel good about our chances in the outdoor season.”
Andy Smith led the boys team and was the top scorer in the 6A competition, and Alazae Hester-Taylor was also one of the top scorers in the meet. Smith won the 800-meter and was second in both the 1600-meter and 3200-meter. He was also a member of the 4x800-meter team that won. Hester-Taylor barely missed three individual state championships. He finished second in the 60-meter hurdles by .01, second in triple jump by 1 inch, and second in high jump by 2 inches. He was also on the 4x400-meter relay team that was second.
The girls were led by Kiara Williams and Elysa Griffin. Williams, who has committed to Alabama, added her seventh and eighth career state titles by winning both the triple jump and the 60-meter hurdles. She also finished second in the long jump and was on the 4x200-meter relay team that won a thrilling race. Elysa Griffin was also on the 4x200-meter relay team, won long jump, and earned all-state honors by finishing third in the 60-meter. Griffin was also on the 4x400-meter relay team that won.
Esslinger commended all members of the team who were at the CrossPlex to support their teammates.
“We had a better cheering section than anyone, and it is always great to see all of the HWD shirts pulling for their teammates. The support our kids give each other may be what our staff is most proud of.”
Individual and Relay State Champions:
Kiara Williams – Triple Jump, 60m Hurdles
Elysa Griffin – Long Jump
Andy Smith – 800m
Girls 4x200m – Elysa Griffin, Kiara Williams, Christian Hill and Hunter Midgett
Girls 4x400m – Elysa Griffin, Ann Mosely Whitsett, Kristie Looney and Hunter Midgett
Boys 4x800m – Logan Sadler, Davis Platt, Hunter Poole and Andy Smith
All-State:
Kiara Williams – Long Jump
Ann Mosely Whitsett – 800m, 400m
Elysa Griffin – 60m
Christian Hill – Triple Jump
Alazae Hester-Taylor – High Jump, Triple Jump, 60m Hurdles
Andy Smith – 1600m, 3200m
Lawton Dorough – Long Jump
Logan Sadler – 800m
Alex Ngei – 3200m
Teverius Lindsey – High Jump
Girls 4x800m – Virginia Givhan, Edie Smith, Camille Smith and Mary Virginia Spencer
Boys 4x400m – Tucker Wilson, Alazae Hester-Taylor, Logan Sadler and Davis Platt
Homewood is coached by Esslinger, Lars Porter, Josh Donaldson, Deanna Swope, Thomas Fowlkes and Brittany Steele.