Auburn Cross country Champ wins Twice in 1st Indoor Performance of Season

By Josh Bean | For the AHSAA

    MONTGOMERY – Auburn High School senior distance runner Maxwell Hardin is still fast, and St. Paul’s Episcopal sophomore Janie Ford is still continuing to do it all.
    Hardin and Ford take center stage in this week’s AHSAA Indoor Track Spotlight after delivering strong performances last week.
    Hardin picked up where he left off from cross country season clocking 4:15.33 to set a new 1,600-meter indoor record at the MLK Indoor Track Classic No. 2 at the Birmingham CrossPlex. He also won the 3,200 meters in 9:17.99, less than a second off the meet record. His 1,600-meter time is also a personal best. It was the first indoor track competition this season for Hardin, an Auburn commit who set a new all-classification state record by clocking 14:43.63 to win the 2022 Class 7A individual state cross-country title.

    Ford again proved herself as one of the state’s most versatile track athletes at the MLK Indoor Track Classic No. 1 at the Birmingham CrossPlex. She won the 60-meter hurdles in 9.07 seconds, won the triple jump with a leap of 39 feet, 9½ inches, won the high jump with a leap of 5 feet, 4 inches and tied Demopolis’ Shonedra Richardson in the long jump with a leap of 18 feet, 1 inch.
     Other recent notable indoor track performances from the last week, as reported by www.alabamarunners.com:

GIRLS

CADY McPHAIL, CHELSEA: Set a new meet and CrossPlex record with a time of 2:08.68 in the 800 meters at the MLK Indoor Track Classic No. 2 at the Birmingham CrossPlex. Her performance also broke the Crossplex record she set earlier this month by more than two seconds.

PRESLEY MONTALVO, SATSUMA: Set new Crossplex and meet long jump records at the MLK Indoor Track Classic No. 2 at the Birmingham CrossPlex with a winning lep of 19 feet, 3 ¾ inches. She was also runner-up in the 60-meter dash at the MLK Indoor Track Classic No. 1 at the Birmingham CrossPlex with a time of 7.77 seconds.

SHONEDRA RICHARDSON, DEMOPOLIS: Won the 60-meter dash at the MLK Indoor Track Classic No. 1 at the Birmingham CrossPlex with time of 7.65 seconds. She tied for the best long jump at 18 feet, 1 inch and finished runner-up in the triple jump with a leap of 36 feet, 7¼ inches.

GABRIELLE WASHINGTON, HOOVER: Won the 60-meter dash in 7.65 seconds and won the 400 meters in 57.03 seconds at the MLK Indoor Track Classic No. 2 at the Birmingham CrossPlex.

ARIANNA FISHER, HEWITT-TRUSSVILLE: Clocked 1:08.86in the 400-meter hurdles at the Hump Day Octameet at the Birmingham CrossPlex. It’s the fastest time in the nation so far this season, according to Milesplit.

JORDAN BRAY, CALERA: Clocked 57.48 seconds to win the 400-meter dash at the MLK Indoor Track Classic No. 1 at the Birmingham CrossPlex.

ALEXIS ANTHONY, CENTER POINT: Finished runner-up in the 400 meters at the MLK Indoor Track Classic No. 1 at the Birmingham CrossPlex with a time of 58.85 seconds.

REAH DeGRAFFENRIED, SHADES VALLEY: Won the 60-meter hurdles in 8.87 seconds at the MLK Indoor Track Classic No. 2 at the Birmingham CrossPlex. She also ran second in the 60 meters with a time of 7.68 seconds.

TORI MACK, HEWITT-TRUSSVILLE: Sped 8.96 seconds in the 60-meter hurdles at the MLK Indoor Track Classic No. 2 at the Birmingham CrossPlex.

DAISY LUNA, HOOVER: Ran a 57.17 time to finish runner-up in the 400 meters at the MLK Indoor Track Classic No. 2 at the Birmingham CrossPlex.

REAGAN RILEY, MOUNTAIN BROOK: Clocked 4:52.68 in the 1,600-meter run at the Hump Day Octameet at the Birmingham CrossPlex.

MARY MAC COLLINS, NORTHRIDGE: Won the 1,600 meters at the MLK Indoor Track Classic No. 2 at the Birmingham CrossPlex with a time of 5:01.12. She finished second in the 3,200 meters with a time of 11:15.00.

EMMA BROOK LEVERING, HOMEWOOD: Ran 5:09.05 to finish runner-up in the 1,600-meter run at the Hump Day Octameet at the Birmingham CrossPlex.

GRACIE WALKER, MOUNTAIN BROOK: Ran 5:09.83 to finish third in the 1,600-meter run at the Hump Day Octameet at the Birmingham CrossPlex.

VIRGINIA AVERYT, MOUNTAIN BROOK: Finished fourth in the 1,600-meter run at the Hump Day Octameet at the Birmingham CrossPlex with a time of 5:11.08.

ANNA ADAMS, McGILL-TOOLEN CATHOLIC: Finished runner-up in the 1,600 meters at the MLK Indoor Track Classic No. 2 at the Birmingham CrossPlex in 5:14.52

AVA McINTOSH, HUNTSVILLE HIGH: Clocked 2.18.82 to finish third in the 800 meters at the MLK Indoor Track Classic No. 2 at the Birmingham CrossPlex.

KATIE MAE COAN, LAWRENCE COUNTY: Won the 3,200 meters at the MLK Indoor Track Classic No. 1 at the Birmingham CrossPlex with a time of 11:14.27.

KENNEDY HAMILTON, MOUNTAIN BROOK: Clocked 11:36.61 to win the 3,200-meter run at the Hump Day Octameet at the Birmingham CrossPlex.

MARIS OWEN, HOMEWOOD: Clocked 59.83 in the 400-meter dash at the Hump Day Octameet at the Birmingham CrossPlex.

BRIANNA BECKHAM, HEWITT-TRUSSVILLE: Won the 60-meter dash at the Hump Day Octameet at the Birmingham CrossPlex with a time of 7.78 seconds.

LUCY BENTON, MOUNTAIN BROOK: Won the 800-meter dash at the Hump Day Octameet at the Birmingham CrossPlex with a time of 2:15.60.

SADIE CARRINGTON, ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL: Cleared 11 feet to win the pole vault at the MLK Indoor Track Classic No. 1 at the Birmingham CrossPlex.

KENNEDY MORELAND, VESTAVIA HILLS: Cleared 11 feet to win the pole vault at the MLK Indoor Track Classic No. 2 at the Birmingham CrossPlex.

BRIANNA STEPHENS, COLUMBIA: Tied for the best high jump at the MLK Indoor Track Classic No. 2 at the Birmingham CrossPlex by clearing 5 feet 2 inches. Three other athletes also cleared 5-2 – Clay-Chalkville’s Aniya Johnson, Auburn’s Hope Foster and Hoover’s Nyel Settles.

AKASHA DUDLEY, THOMPSON: Finished runner-up in the shot put with a heave of 38 feet, 6 inches at the MLK Indoor Track Classic No. 2 at the Birmingham CrossPlex.

BOYS

RYAN WILLIAMS, SARALAND: Just days after becoming the first sophomore in state history to win the Alabama Sportswriters Association Mr. Football Award, he tied for the best high jump at the MLK Indoor Track Classic No. 2 at the Birmingham CrossPlex with a leap of 6 feet, 6 inches. He also finished third in the 400 meters with a time of 49.70 and fifth in the 60-meter dash clocking 6.98 seconds.

ANTHONY EAGER, McGILL-TOOLEN CATHOLIC: Ran 6.83 seconds to win the 60-meter dash at the MLK Indoor Track Classic No. 2 at the Birmingham CrossPlex. He was runner-up in the 60-meter hurdles in 8.14 seconds and fourth in the long jump (21 feet, 4 inches).

COLLIN PATE, HOOVER: Cleared 16 feet, 1¼ inches to win the pole vault at the MLK Indoor Track Classic No. 2 at the Birmingham CrossPlex.

PATRICK SWEENEY, AUBURN: Finished the 60-meter dash in 9.53 seconds in the 60-meter ambulatory division at the MLK Indoor Track Classic No. 2 at the Birmingham CrossPlex. He also won the ambulatory shot put with a heave of 23 feet, 1 inch.

BOBBY GRAY, SPARKMAN: Won the shot put at the MLK Indoor Track Classic No. 2 at the Birmingham CrossPlex with a heave of 50 feet, 1 inch.

JAY AVERY, HOOVER: Won the long jump at the MLK Indoor Track Classic No. 2 at the Birmingham CrossPlex with a leap of 23 feet, 7¾ inches.

SLATE ROHRER, HOMEWOOD: Clocked 54.82 seconds in the 400-meter hurdles at the Hump Day Octameet at the Birmingham CrossPlex. It’s the fastest time in the nation so far this season, according to Milesplit.

DALLAS BECK, HOOVER: Won the 400-meters dash at the MLK Indoor Track Classic No. 2 at the Birmingham CrossPlex with a time of 49.03 seconds.

DeMARION GARDNER, HOOVER: Ran second in the 400 meters at the MLK Indoor Track Classic No. 2 at the Birmingham CrossPlex with a time of 49.37 seconds.

MAX ARMSTRONG, VESTAVIA HILLS: Clocked 1:57.59 to win the 800 meters at the MLK Indoor Track Classic No. 2 at the Birmingham CrossPlex.

JACKSON HARRIS, HUNTSVILLE: Finished third in the 800 meters at the MLK Indoor Track Classic No. 2 at the Birmingham CrossPlex with a time of 1:58.42.

EVAN WRIGHTS, ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL: Won 400 meters at the MLK Indoor Track Classic No. 1 at the Birmingham CrossPlex in 49.63. He also won the 800 meters in 1:59.35.

ETHAN EDGEWORTH, COLD SPRINGS: Ran 4:17.67 to win the 1,600 meters at the MLK Indoor Track Classic No. 1 at the Birmingham CrossPlex. He also finished runner-up in the 800  meters race with a time of 1:59.72.

ARTHUR LANGLEY, JOHN CARROLL CATHOLIC: Finished runner-up in the 1,600 meters at the MLK Indoor Track Classic No. 1 at the Birmingham CrossPlex with a time of 4:20.84.

STONE SMITH, ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL: Clocked 9:17.60 to in the 3,200 meters at the MLK Indoor Track Classic No. 1 at the Birmingham CrossPlex.

ALEX LEATH, VESTAVIA HILLS: Ran 4:16.98 to finish runner-up in the 1,600 meters at the MLK Indoor Track Classic No. 2 at the Birmingham CrossPlex.

ERIC MOORE, HUNTSVILLE: Finished third in the 1,600 meters at the MLK Indoor Track Classic No. 2 at the Birmingham CrossPlex with a time of 4:17.08.

ETHAN LEMONS, VINEMONT: Finished runner-up in the 3,200 meters in a time of 9:18.43 and was second the 1,600 meters in 4:17.87 at the MLK Indoor Track Classic No. 2 at the Birmingham CrossPlex.

CHARLES PERRY, UMS-WRIGHT: Clocked 4:22.14 to finish eighth in the 1,600-meter run at the VA Showcase in Virginia Beach, Va. He was also credited with a time of 4:03.26 in the 1,500 meters. He was also voted Milesplit’s National Boys Performer of the Week for his Jan. 7 performance at the Icebreaker No. 2 meet.

T.J. AUTREY, AUBURN: Tied for the best high jump at the MLK Indoor Track Classic No. 2 at the Birmingham CrossPlex with a leap of 6 feet, 6 inches.

EVAN HILL, SCOTTSBORO: Won the 1,600 meters at the Hump Day Octameet at the Birmingham CrossPlex with a time of 4:22.30.

CLAYTON COLLINS, MOUNTAIN BROOK: Clocked 4:25.09 to finish runner-up in the 1,600 meters at the Hump Day Octameet at the Birmingham CrossPlex.

DAVIS LEE, MOUNTAIN BROOK: Won the 400 meters at the Hump Day Octameet at the Birmingham CrossPlex with a time of 49.86 seconds, beating Thompson’s Tyler Johnson (49.96) in a photo finish.

JULIAN DUFF, PELHAM: Finished the 400 meters in 50.45 seconds at the Hump Day Octameet at the Birmingham CrossPlex. Mountain Brook’s Spence Morano was second in 50.76.

BRADLEY FRANKLIN, THOMPSON: Clocked 7.88 seconds running the 60-meter hurdles at the Hump Day Octameet at the Birmingham CrossPlex. He also ran 7.90 seconds in the same event at the MLK Indoor Track Classic No. 2 at the Birmingham CrossPlex.

JAYLEN MBAKWE, CLAY-CHALKVILLE: Finished third in the 60-meter dash at the MLK Indoor Track Classic No. 2 at the Birmingham CrossPlex with a time of 6.88 seconds.

MICHAEL IGBINOGHENE, HEWITT-TRUSSSVILLE: Ran fourth in the 60-meter dash at the MLK Indoor Track Classic No. 2 at the Birmingham CrossPlex with a time of 6.96 seconds. He was third in the long jump at 21 feet, 7¼ inches at the MLK Indoor Track Classic No. 2 at the Birmingham CrossPlex.

BRAYLYN FARRINGTON, CALERA: Clocked 6.96 seconds in the 60-meter dash to win at the MLK Indoor Track Classic No. 1 at the Birmingham CrossPlex.

NATHAN THOMAS, HEWITT-TRUSSVILLE: Clocked 7.04 seconds in the 60-meter final at the Hump Day Octameet at the Birmingham CrossPlex.

BEN MURRAY, HOMEWOOD: Won the 800 meters at the Hump Day Octameet at the Birmingham CrossPlex with a time of 1:59.88. He was also third in the 400 meters with a time of 50.81.

JAMARI GREENE, BOB JONES: Cleared 6 feet, 2 inches to tie for the best high jump at the MLK Indoor Track Classic No. 1 at the Birmingham CrossPlex.

CAMERON OSSLER, ELBERTA: Cleared 6 feet, 2 inches to tie for the best high jump at the MLK Indoor Track Classic No. 1 at the Birmingham CrossPlex.

TOSHI YAMAMOTO, HOOVER: Finished runner-up at the MLK Indoor Track Classic No. 2 at the Birmingham CrossPlex with a heave of 47 feet, 2 inches.