HUNTSVILLE- The Southern Showcase cross country meet was a showcase. More than 3,000 athletes from seven states took to the beautiful trail in Huntsville at John Hunt Park for one of the premiere cross country events in the Southeast.

Both Bob Jones and James Clemens shined through the gloomy weekend weather with superb results within some of the toughest competition among the high schools from several states including Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Ohio, South Carolina and Tennessee.

The overall average for both schools show the Jets of James Clemens finishing much better than Bob Jones. In boys, the Jets posted an average of 16:34 while Bob Jones was 18:08. In girls, the Lady Jets had an average of 20:10 while the Lady Patriots finished at 23:08.

In the championship division, two schools from out of state were the overall team winners as Jesuit High out of Louisiana won the boys division with 111 points while James Clemens finished No. 13 (387-ponts) out of the 32 schools taking part. In girls, Brentwood High of Tennessee took top honors scoring 62 points while James Clemens was No. 15 with 389 points.

James Clemens had two runners finish among the top 100 of the 245, who laced up their running shoes for the boys event. Luke Alverson, Fr., was No. 52 overall with a time of 16:02.06. He was followed at No. 87 John Luke Stovall, So., who posted a time of 16:23.49. In girls, the Lady Jets had three finish within the top 100 of the 228 who completed the course. At No. 71 was senior team captain Sydney Freeman at 19:45.67. She was followed by No. 75 Kylie Gero, So., at 19:53.08 and No. 90 Emma Bothern, So., at 20:04.87.

In the open division, which is regarded as the fourth competitive of the divisions, the Bob Jones boys and girls took top team honors with 21 points and 20 points respectively. Sparkman High was No. 13 in boys scoring 372 points. Individually, seven Lady Patriots and five Patriots finished among the top 10 in their divisions. Those finishers included in boys, 1. Adam Baer, Sr., 17.17.25, 3. Sam Pope, Sr., 17:52.64, 4. Owen Crow, So., 17:58.92, 7. Nicholas Lozano, Jr., 18:46.82 and 8. Matthew Pimmel, Jr., 18:53.28. In girls, 2. Ami Marks, 7, 21:57.45, 3. Kinsey Sivley, Sr., Sparkman, 22:27.87, 5. Lucy Halter, So., 22:49.32, 6. Piper Larkin, So., 23:23.21, 7. Molly Halter, Fr., 23:27.18, 9. Rachel Pennell, Fr., 24:03.46 and 10. Ilene Pour-Blazar, 8, 24:14.47.

In boys 2-mile freshman event, Huntsville was tops in scoring with 20 points while Bob Jones was runner-up with 59. Individually, the results were 3. Caleb Johnson, Fr., Bob Jones, 11:05.40, 6. Andrew Gohlich, James Clemens, 11:41.12 and 8. Eric Joy, Fr., Bob Jones, 11:56.97.

In girls 2-mile, Cullman was tops with 71 points while James Clemens was fourth with 102. Top finishers included 5. Isabel Jones, 7, Sparkman, 13:20.68, 11. Claire Colo, 8, James Clemens, 13:56.94 and 12. Andie Howard, Fr., James Clemens, 13:59.06.

In the boys 2-mile, Huntsville High took the top trophy with 28 points while Bob ones was sixth, 157, and James Clemens seventh, 174. Jake Ryan, 8, of Bob Jones finished sixth at 11:45.97 while Will Davidson, 7, of James Clemens posted a time of 12:01.81 for eighth place.

A few race facts on the big event included James Clemens finished third among the Class 7A schools from Alabama as there were 29 teams in the championships division. In boys championship, the Jets were also the third top school from Alabama.