After two grueling days of competition under both rain and blistering heat at Cullman High School, the Running Rams celebrated their success as the AHSAA 2A State Runners-Up in the girls’ division and 5th overall in the boys’ division. In comparison, the Running Rams had placed 9th in the girls’ division and 17th in the boys’ division in 2022. Both the Rams and Coach Bolding were extremely proud of such growth! Their goal for next year is to win state in both the boys and girls divisions. Coach Bolding acquired some valuable strategic insights this year during both the sectionals and state meet that he is eager to implement next year, positioning the Running Rams for a potential state title in both divisions.
In addition to the team’s overall rankings, the Running Rams are returning with three state titles in the Boys High Jump, Boys Triple Jump, and the 4x400M Girls Relay for the second consecutive year. This is a significant improvement from last year when the team won a state title in only one event. The following are the highlights of all those who competed at the state meet:
Yamorion Jones placed 18th in the 100M and 17th in the 200M. Elmer Collins ranked 23rd in the 400M. Jamarian Essex was 23rd in the 1600M. Tyler Billingsley earned 12th place in the Discus. Jarius Smith emerged victorious in the Triple Jump/High Jump and placed 18th in the Long Jump. Deldrick Shelton secured 3rd place in the High Jump and 12th in the Long Jump. Devon Mayhand was 16th in the Triple Jump. Johnny Hudson achieved 2nd place in the Shot Put. The 4x400M Boys Relay Team, comprised of Deldrick Shelton, Devon Mayhand, Yamorion Jones, and Jarius Smith, placed 3rd.
Elanna Lewis was 23rd in the 100M for the girls. Zy’Tashia Moore secured 3rd place in the 300M Hurdles. Yasmine Murphy ranked 9th in the 300M Hurdles. Ke’Lashia Shelton placed 6th in the 400M. Le’Naya Essex was 10th in the 400M, 5th in the Long Jump, and 4th in the Triple Jump. Jamecia Hurt took 17th place in the 400M and 2nd in the High Jump. LaChelsea Moore was 19th in the Javelin and 6th in the Shot Put. A’Naja Tubbs secured 5th place in the Shot Put. Tricia Suttle placed 17th in the Shot Put and 23rd in the Javelin. Asia Clemons earned 7th place in the Triple Jump. Tracianna Moore was 21st in the Triple Jump. The 4x100M Girls Relay Team, including Antashay Wilson, Elanna Lewis, Ke’Lashia Shelton, and Asia Clemons, placed 2nd. Finally, the 4x400M Girls Relay Team, consisting of Ke’Lashia Shelton, Antashay Wilson, Jamecia Hurt, and Le’Naya Essex, won the state title.
