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Not since 1971 have the W.S. Neal Eagles seen a state runner-up title for the East Brewton School — and this year’s track team brought the title home along with some record-breaking statistics.
In the 3A Division of state event put the Eagles at the top of the pack in several categories of competition.
A long-standing record with the Alabama High School Athletic Association was broken in the 4×100 relay when the team of Samarrion Clark, John Andrews, Carter Hodges and Jalen Likely ran the event in 42.40. That time broke the previous record set in 1987.
Another record was broken by John Andrews when he broke the school record in the 400 meter relay with a time of 49.53. That time also brought Andrews to the Gold Medal podium for the meet.
Jabrei Mackey wanted in on the record-breaking action and got his wish when he broke a school record by two fee in the triple jump event. Mackey jumped a 46’ 6.5” in the event to break the record and take the Gold Medal position. Mackey would also take the Silver Medal in the High Jump event and the Bronze Medal in the 4×400 relay. He finished seventh in the 400 m event.
Likely also won the 100 and 200 meter dash adding more points to the team total that placed them in second place for the state’s 3A Division.
Carter Hodges joined in the medal honors taking the bronze medal in the 4×400 relay.
Other medals were claimed by the team of Andrews, Mackey, Hodges and McCain in the 4×400 relay, taking the Bronze Medal in the awards.
The big improvements in the team were evident when they scored 84 points in the event compared to just three points at last year’s meet.
Those improvements in scoring were brought to the table courtesy of some hard-working and dedicated track team members.
John Andrews also scored seventh in the 100 meter dash.
But a bronze medal wasn’t all Andrews brought home from the event. He came home with a broken leg that he limped on throughout his relay event.
According to a story about Andrews on social media, the runner completed the 100 m dash and would do so with a limp.
“John being John, didn’t share his pain but can be seen celebrating his teammate’s first place finish,” the post explained. “John would carry on and prepare for the 4×400 m race in which he as the fourth leg. During his stretch of the race, John would fall down in a heated duel for first place. He got back up and still finished second. Our 4x400m team will go down as third best in the state.
The post calls Andrews a “powerful inspiration and a true testament of a leader with pure determination.”
Other scores from the event include:
Samarrion Clark – finished seventh in 200m;
Eli Kelly – finished seventh in the High Jump;
DJ McCain would finish fourth in 110 hurdles; fifth in 300 hurdles and seventh in the Triple Jump.