St. Paul’s Janie Ford and Hewitt-Trussville’s Shaw Helfrich Shine in Early 2025 Outdoor Track Performances
St. Paul’s Janie Ford Dominates Southeastern Relays
Senior Janie Ford of St. Paul’s Episcopal made an impressive start to her final AHSAA outdoor track and field season at the Southeastern Relays in Saraland on February 22. Ford secured victories in three events, setting state-best marks in each and achieving a new outdoor personal record in the long jump. Her outstanding performance earns her recognition in the first AHSAA Outdoor Track Spotlight of the 2025 season.
Highlights of Ford’s achievements include:
- 100-Meter Hurdles: State-best time of 14.75 seconds
- 300-Meter Hurdles: State-best time of 44.22 seconds
- Long Jump: Personal record of 19 feet, 7¼ inches (Top 15 nationally)
Ford’s dominance continues from her junior year, where she won state titles in the 100-meter hurdles, 300-meter hurdles, long jump, and triple jump, in addition to clinching the state heptathlon title for the second year in a row.
Hewitt-Trussville’s Shaw Helfrich Sets Pole Vault Personal Record
On the boys’ side, Hewitt-Trussville senior Shaw Helfrich delivered a standout performance at the Husky March Classic on February 28. He set a personal record in the pole vault, clearing 15 feet. This marks an improvement from his 14 feet, 5¼ inches at last season’s state decathlon and his fourth-place result in the Class 7A pole vault at the 2025 state indoor meet, where he cleared 14 feet during the indoor season.
Helfrich’s excellent season opener also saw him set personal records in the 100-meter dash and 110-meter hurdles.
Upcoming AHSAA Outdoor Track Season Events
The AHSAA Outdoor Track season officially started on February 20, with section meets set for April 25-26. The Class 4A-7A state track meet will be held in Gulf Shores from May 1-3, while the Class 1A-3A meet is scheduled for May 2-3 in Cullman.
Here’s a look at other top performances from early-season action, according to www.alabamarunners.com:
GIRLS
ZARIA PARKER, JAMES CLEMENS: Clocked 11.73 seconds to win the 100-meter dash at the Bob Jones Redcoat on March 1 and clocked 24.53 to win the 200 meters. Both times are the fastest in the state so far this season, and her 100-meter time ranks No. 14 nationally so far this season.
J’DA WILLIAMS, ATHENS: Finished second with a time of 12.16 seconds in the 100 meters at the Bob Jones Redcoat.
JAZIYA WATKINS, ENTERPRISE: Clocked 12.17 seconds in the 100 meters at the Enterprise Invite No. 2 on Feb. 28.
LONDON HALL, JAMES CLEMENS: Finished runner-up in the 200 meters at the Bob Jones Redcoat with a time of 24.97 seconds.
TAYLOR CANADA, HOOVER: Won the 200 meters at the Husky March Classic on Feb. 28, with a time of 25.04 seconds.
ALIEAH NELMS, OPELIKA: Won the 400 meters at the Auburn Early Bird on Feb. 27, with a time of 55.98 seconds.
RUTHIE JONES, FORT PAYNE: Clocked 58.44 seconds in the 400 meters at the Albertville Varsity Meet No. 1 on Feb. 28.
DAISY LUNA, HOOVER: Won the 400 meters at the Husky March Classic with a time of 58.44 seconds.
RILEY ZEANAH, VESTAVIA HILLS: Clocked 2:15.75 to win the 800 meters at the Husky March Classic.
CATARINA WILLIAMS, OAK MOUNTAIN: Ran runner-up in the 800 meters at the Husky March Classic with a time of 2:18.25.
ANNA JAMES LITTY, VESAVIA HILLS: Finished third in the 800 meters at the Husky March Classic with a time of 2:18.69.
EMMA BROOK LEVERING, HOMEWOOD: Won the 1,600 meters in a photo finish at the Husky March Classic with a time of 5:07.28.
CATHERINE WALLACE, HOOVER: Finished second in the 1,600 meters at the Husky March Classic with a time of 5:07.36.
AVA SPARKS, HOOVER: Ran third the 1,600 meters at the Husky March Classic with a time of 5:08.83.
KATIE MAE COAN, LAWWRENCE COUNTY: Clocked 11:02.82 to win the 3,200 meters at the James Clemens Early Bird on Feb. 22.
SHELBY FARGASON, BAYSIDE ACADEMY: Won the 3,200 meters at the Battle of Bay on Feb. 27, with a time of 11:33.72.
MARY TAYLOR, WHITESBURG CHRISTIAN: Won the 3,200 meters at the Bob Jones Redcoat with a time of 12:02.94.
KATHERINE LEE, AUBURN: Won the 100-meter hurdles at the Husky March Classic with a time of 14.82 seconds. She also finished second in the long jump with a leap of 17 feet, 11½ inches.
McKINSIE REGISTER, AUBURN: Finished runner-up in the 100-meter hurdles at the Husky March Classic with a time of 15.16 seconds, and ran second in the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 44.53 seconds.
ERIN PERNELL, NORTHRIDGE: Clocked 47.40 seconds in the 300-meter hurdles at the Northridge Black & Blue Invitational on Feb. 22.
AKASHA DUDLEY, THOMPSON: Won the shot put at the Husky March Classic with a throw of 42 feet, 6 inches.
MAR’RICA TRONE, CENTRAL-TUSCALOOSA: Won the shot put at the Paul W. Bryant Invitational on March 1 with a throw of 39 feet, 9 inches.
KE’ASIA WASHINGTON, CENTER POINT: Finished second in the shot put at the Paul W. Bryant Invitational with a throw of 38 feet, 1 inch.
CHARITY COLLIER, SPARKMAN: Won the discus with a throw of 121 feet, 3 inches at the Bob Jones Redcoat.
MIA GOSS, BROOKS: Won the discus at the Winfield Ice Breaker on March 1, with a heave of 118 feet, 4 inches and finished third in the javelin with a throw of 123 feet, 8 inches.
BRYNN STAPLER, DAR: Won the discus at the Patriot Invitational on March 1 with a throw of 115 feet, 11 inches.
KEIRA CRUSE, RUSSELLVILEL: Won the long jump at the Russellville Classic on Feb. 27, with a leap of 17 feet, 10 inches.
KYNDALL BRUNDIDGE, OPELIKA: Won the triple jump with a leap of 38 feet, 7 inches at the Auburn Early Bird.
HALEY MELTON, HEWITT-TRUSSVILLE: Won the triple jump at the Husky March Classic with a leap of 37 feet, 3½ inches.
TRINITY MILLIGAN, JAMES CLEMENS: Won the triple jump at the James Clemens Early Bird with a leap of 37 feet, ¼ inch.
MOLLY MAC SHARP, VESTAVIA HILLS: Won the javelin at the Husky March Classic with a throw of 126 feet, 2 inches.
COOPER GARRETT, FORT PAYNE: Won the javelin at the Albertville Varsity Meet No. 1 with a throw of 125 feet, 10 inches.
MADELINE McMURPHY, UMS-WRIGHT: Set a personal record and won the pole vault at the Battle of the Bay by clearing 12 feet, 3 inches.
ANNIE KERR, MOUNTAIN BROOK: Won the pole vault at the Husky March Classic by clearing 12 feet.
KENNEDY MORELAND, VESTAVIA HILLS: Finished runner-up in the pole vault at the Husky March Classic by clearing 11 feet, 6 inches.
BOYS
GRANT WEIGHALL, HOOVER: Won the discus with a throw of 163 feet, 2 inches at the Husky March Classic and won the javelin with a throw of 190 feet, 6 inches.
JOHN SHOEMAKER, OAK MOUNTAIN: Won the 1,600 meters at the Husky March Classic with a time of 4:15.18 and finished third in the 800 meters with a time of 1:59.17.
ZATHIAN WEBSTER, BOB JONES: Clocked 10.74 seconds in the 100-meter dash to win the event at the Bob Jones Redcoat, and he won the 200 meters in 21.93 seconds.
E-MON OLIVER, ASHFORD: Won the 100 meters in 10.85 seconds at the CCS No. 1 on Feb. 28 in Andalusia.
TERRANCE MILLER, BLOUNT: Clocked 10.88 seconds in the 100 meters to win the event at the MGM Vikings Invitational on Feb. 28 in Semmes.
KEVIN CHERRY, CENTRAL OF CLAY COUNTY: Clocked 21.77 seconds to win the 200 meters at the 7th Annual Yellow Jacket Invitational on March 1 at Choccolocco Park in Oxford.
CHASE WEBB, VESTAVIA HILLS: Won the 200 meters at the Husky March Classic with a time of 21.88 seconds.
JAMESON COLEMAN, VESTAVIA HILLS: Clocked 48.67 seconds to win the 400 meters at the Husky March Classic.
DEVIN KOUANVIH, HEWITT-TRUSSVILLE: Finished second in the 400 meters at the Husky March Classic with a time of 49.17 seconds.
COOPER JEFFCOAT, OAK MOUNTAIN: Won the 800 meters at the Husky March Classic with a time of 1:57.12.
HUDSON RUKSTALIS-WILLIAMS, MOUNTAIN BROOK: Ran runner-up in the 800 meters at the Husky March Classic with a time of 1:58.38.
JOHN HAYES, VESTAVIA HILLS: Finished second in the 1,600 meters at the Husky March Classic with a time of 4:18.24.
BRYCE McCLEARY, HAZEL GREEN: Won the 1,600 meters at the Bob Jones Redcoat with a time of 4:18.92.
LUKE ALVERSON, JAMES CLEMENS: Won the 3,200 meters at the Bob Jones Redcoat with a time of 9:17.70.
PEYTON HOLDERER, UMS-WRIGHT: Won the 3,200 meters at the Battle of the Bay with a time of 9:28.72.
CADEN PHILIPPI, BAYSHORE CHRISTIAN: Ran second in the 3,200 meters at the Battle of the Bay with a time of 9:48.68.
LAZERIC JOHNSON, BLOUNT: Won the 110-meter hurdles at the MGM Vikings Invitational with a time of 14.28 seconds.
DYLAN COPE, HEWITT-TRUSSVILLE: Won the 110-meter hurdles at the Husky March Classic with a time of 14.57 seconds.
HARPER WILLIAMS, WEAVER: Won the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 14.63 seconds at the 7th annual Yellow Jacket in Oxford and also finished third in the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 40.69 seconds.
GRAHAM GWALTNEY, VESTAVIA HILLS: Won the 300-meter hurdles at the Husky March Classic with a time of 40.57 seconds.
KESHAWN ALLEN, WEAVER: Won the 300-meter hurdles at the 7th annual Yellow Jacket in Oxford with a time of 40.59 seconds.
NIGEL THOMAS, HOOVER: Won the shot put with a heave of 55 feet, 8 inches at the Husky March Classic.
DESMON THOMAS, ENTERPRISE: Won the shot put at the Enterprise Invite No. 2 with a heave of 51 feet, 10 inches.
JEROME MALONE, ATHENS: Won the shot put at the Bob Jones Redcoat with a throw of 50 feet, 10 inches.
CARNELL JACKSON, AUBURN: Won the discus with a throw of 160 feet, 8 inches in the Adonica Ferguson Smith Station Panther Open.
CHANDLER TAYLOR, UMS-WRIGHT: Won the discus with a throw of 150 feet, 8 inches at the Battle of the Bay.
JENNINGS HINZ, NORTHRIDGE: Won the long jump at the Northridge Black & Blue with a leap of 23 feet, 4½ inches.
TRA’VON HALL, CENTRAL-TUSCALOOSA: Won the long jump with a leap of 22 feet, 10 ½ inches at the Paul W. Bryant Invitational.
TOMON FELTON, HOMEWOOD: Leaped 22 feet, 9 inches to win the long jump at the Husky March Classic.
COOPER SCOTT, ALBERTVILLE: Cleared 6 feet, 4 inches to win the high jump at the Albertville Varsity No. 1.
TYLER DRESSBACK, VESTAVIA HILLS: Won the high jump at the Husky March Classic with a leap of 6 feet, 3 inches.
DAMIRIAN THOMPSON, OPP: Won the high jump at the CCS No. 1 meet with a leap of 6 feet, 2 inches.
GABE PENDLEY, CHELSEA: Took first place in the javelin at the Yellow Jacket Invitational in Opp with a throw of 185 feet, 10 inches.
WILLIAM BOZEMAN, HEWITT-TRUSSVILLE: Finished runner-up in the javelin at the Husky March Classic with a throw of 165 feet, 6 inches.
NORMAN SETTLES, HOOVER: Cleared 14 feet to finish second in the pole vault at the Husky March Classic.
ELIJAH ROBINSON, HAMILTON: Won the pole vault at the Winfield Ice Breaker by clearing 13 feet, 7 inches.
FEATURED IMAGE: St. Paul’s Episcopal senior Janie Ford (center) is shown competing in the 60-meter dash at the 2024 Indoor Track Championships at the Birmingham CrossPlex. (AHSAA PHOTO | David Holtsford)
