MADISON- Jordan Urrutia continues to set the track ablaze for the Bob Jones Patriots. The senior sprinter recently ran a personal-record 48.17 to win the 400-meter dash competition at the Holiday Invitational No. 2 at the Birmingham CrossPlex. His fast time put him at the top in the U.S. in that event and placed him among the 2024 season’s inaugural AHSAA Indoor Track Spotlight.

“Being tops in the country is very special especially this early in the season,” said Urrutia. “I still have my goals set for the remainder of my track seasons both indoor and outdoor.”

The 6-foot-2, 165-pound Urrutia carries a highly sought after 3.9 grade point average by college coaches and his talents on the track are also courted by numerous colleges, but the talented senior recently signed with the Ole Miss Rebels and is looking toward completing his indoor season and then stretch out to the outdoor track season in the coming months.

Urrutia won the 200-meter outdoor state title a season ago and returning to the State Meet is one of his goals.

“I believe my off-season grind, hard training and being consistent everyday at working out led me to my current time and my national ranking,” said Urrutia, whose national top-ranking time is just ahead of No. 2 ranked Jayden Horton-Mims of Pennsylvania with his time of 48.48 in the 400-meter.

“I haven’t had any injuries and I feel good,” added Urrutia, looking to the Indoor State Championships scheduled for Feb. 2-3 at Birmingham’s CrossPlex.

Additional recent notable track performances among the AHSAA Spotlight included:

Urrutia’s younger sister ALIVIA URRUTIA, BOB JONES: Finished second in the 400 meters at the Magic City Invitational No. 2 with a time of 57.44 seconds.

SAMANTHA MENIKHEIM, SPARKMAN: Finished runner-up in the 1,600 meters at the Holiday Invitational No. 1 with a time of 5:17.14.

LUKE ALVERSON, JAMES CLEMENS: Won the 1,600 meters at the Holiday Invitational No. 2 with a time of 4:20.92 and won the 3,200 meters with a time of 9:24.34. He also clocked 4:18.39 in the 1,600 meters at the JV Meet #1A.

COLE ROBINSON, JAMES CLEMENS: Finished runner-up in the 1,600 meters at the Holiday Invitational No. 2 with a time of 4:22.09. He was also third in the 3,200 meters clocking 9:39.01.

BENJAMIN THOMASON, JAMES CLEMENS: Ran 8.20 seconds in the 60-meter hurdles at the Holiday Invitational No. 2.

JOEQUEZ KEITH, SPARKMAN: Ran runner-up in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.35 seconds at the Magic City Invitational No. 1.

ALIJAH VAUGHN, SPARKMAN: Clocked 7.01 seconds to win the 60-meter dash at the Magic City Invitational No. 1 and won the 60-meter dash at the Holiday Invitational No. 1 with a time of 6.94 seconds.