Led by meet Most Valuable Performer Adrian Crawford – already a five-time state champion – Union City was easily the class of the boys’ field with 131 total points after also winning the event a year ago.
School Communications Director Mike Hutchens said Crawford set new school records in three events, while winning in all four in which he was entered. He won the long jump (24’5”), the 110 hurdles (15.26), and the 300 hurdles (40.40), establishing new UCHS marks in the process. He also took first place in the high jump.
Crawford was not the lone star for the Tornadoes, however.
Kyle Price and Aiden Reid – also defending state titlists – earned a shot to repeat by winning the discus and shot put, respectively. Reid was also second in the discus, while teammate Jaxson Jones placed third.
Tayshun Gentry was second in the triple jump, and Jaedyn Sims was runner-up in the pole vault.
The 4X800 relay team of Owen Waggoner, Andrew Beard, Woodrow McKinnis, and Rushdon Howell set a new school mark (8:28) in a second-place showing. The 4X400 quartet of Waggoner, Beard, Kinydee Taylor, and Gentry also punched their state ticket after placing No. 2.
Union City’s girls were equally impressive, racking up 88 points to bring home gold.
Ca’Lae Ervin recorded a pair of individual first-place finishes and was also a part of the winning 4X400 relay team.
Ervin tied for honors in the high jump and established a new program record with a leap of 5’0”. She also won the triple jump, and joined teammates Madie Theobald, Ainsley Beard, and Hayden Marshall in crossing the finish line first in the 4X400.
Theobald qualified for state by finishing second in the discus, with freshman Kimayah Sneed doing the same in the shot put.
Beard set a new school record with a time of 51.14 in the 300 hurdles and earned a state wildcard ticket.
Alaja Crawford and Ku’mya Liphford secured wildcard spots in the shot put, while the 4X800 relay team consisting of Beard, Theobald, Ainsley Sadler, and Hadlee Ducan was also awarded a wildcard berth.
Head coach Wade Maddox was understandably pleased with his two teams’ showings.
“Obviously, winning both the boys’ and girls’ in the same year is special – since we’ve never done that before,” Maddox said.“Our kids battled for every second, every foot, and every inch in every event. We had a lot of personal bests, even from some kids who didn’t win or qualify for the state. All you can ask for at this time of the year is their best. And we got that.”
Crawford will attempt to repeat as state decathlon champion next Wednesday and Thursday in Knoxville before the team competition in 10 days.
(photos: Mike Hutchens – School Communications Director)
