HUNTSVILLE- The James Clemens girls cross country team, ranked No. 2 in Class 7-A and all classifications of the Alabama High School Athletic Association, persist in their quest to grab a state title as it staged one of its best meets in recent memory. The Lady Jets placed fourth in the Southern Showcase held at John Hunt Running Park in Huntsville.

With six of the top eight finishes setting new personal records, James Clemens scored 149 points in the meet that featured some of the top programs in the Southeast. Brentwood, ranked No. 1 in Tennessee, won the event scoring 42 points. Vestavia, which is ranked No. 1 in Alabama, was runner-up with 123 points and Franklin, the No. 2 ranked squad in the Volunteer State, posted 131 points for third place.

With light winds breezing through the confines of the newly renovated running trail in southeast Huntsville, the weather was ideal as cool temperatures and low humidity made for perfect conditions for the runners from a barrage of schools. For James Clemens, the girls posted their fastest 5K team average in the school’s history. Their top five finished with an average a time of 20-minutes, one-second with a squad spread of just 1:24.

The top finishes for the Lady Jets were led by Kayla Willett, 19:35, Kylie Gero, 19:37, Sydney Freeman, 19:43, Claire Deaton, 20:09, Emmy Mattingly, 21:00, Sarah Vaughan, 21:01, Ria Sethi, 21:18, and Sarah Shirley 21:54. All but Mattingly and Shirley ran personal record times.

The Lady Jets defeated both third-ranked Trussville and fourth ranked Huntsville and nine other schools from Alabama and Tennessee.

The varsity boys took third place in the race with a team average of 16:48, best in school history, and an amazing 59-second spread.

For the Jets, the top finished with all, but one, posted personal best marks. They were led by Matthew Hill, 16:20, a school record, and was followed by Tyler Gohlich, 16:32, Isaul Rubio Montano, 16:53, Dylan Dryer, 16:54, John Luke Stovall, 17:20, Nicholas Rishton, 17:27, Max Shah, 17:33, Zach Williams, 17:47, Alex Butler, 17:57, and Noah Kliesner, 18:28.