GDW Analysis:
Cold Springs Lady Eagles went on a strong finish Saturday that carried them to taking the AHSAA 2A track and field championship trophy back to their campus.
The Lady Eagles broke a tie with Cornerstone Schools and were able to accumulate 101 points in 24 events from Mark Britton Field/Oliver Woodard Stadium at Cullman High School.
A solid outing in the 3,200 meter with 7th grader Reese Swidecki taking 2nd, followed by juniors Paizley Whitlow and Macie Huffstutler 3rd and 4th, tallied 19 points for the squad.
The 4 X 800 relay unit claimed 2nd and also established a team record with a time of 10:30.77.
In their final running event, the Lady Eagles were victorious in their heat, the 4 X 400 relay.
Winning this heat with Cornerstone coming in 4th allowed the Lady Eagles to stay atop and win their second state championship in the last three years.
Ivy Johnson accomplished a personal best in the 200 ambulatory run at 51.34.
Swidecki made a name for herself Friday when she took the top spot from the 1,600 meter, a winning time of 5:28.89 that was also a personal best.
Whitlow's 5:41.77 was 4th overall and a personal best by the junior runner.
Dickerson made her way to state championship honors in the high jump, earning it by a distance of 5-02.00, a personal best.
Whitlow took 2nd in the pole vault, Claire Huffstutler and Ryleigh White were tied for 3rd with Huffstutler's 8 feet a personal best for her.
Saturday's meet was delayed until 1:00 p.m. by the AHSAA following storms on Friday evening that got the event suspended.
The 4 X 800 relay got the schedule going and was going well until a storm arrived at the stadium by 3:00 p.m. with lightning involved to create a 3rd delay of the meet in two days.
Following a stoppage of approximately 90 minutes, the championship went back into activity as the final running event was done by 8:00 p.m.
Final team totals:
1A: Winterboro 117, Faith Christian 78, Georgiana 53
2A: Loachapoka 55, Mars Hill 53, Abbeville 52
3A: Weaver 86, TR Miller 77.5, Hillcrest Evergreen 72.
1A (G): Winterboro 121, Athens Bible 64, Marengo 56.
2A (G): Cold Springs 101, Cornerstone 95, Holy Spirit 55
3A (G): Whitesburg Christian 140.33, Westminster Oak Mountain 72, Lee Scott Academy 54.
Photo of the AHSAA 2A track and field champion Cold Springs Lady Eagles.
Photo courtesy of Hanceville Today.
