Mountain Brook track preview
Winter has officially arrived in Alabama, and for track and field athletes across the state that means one thing: It’s time to head indoors.
For sprinters and field event specialists, a long offseason spanning nearly seven months has finally reached its conclusion. Meanwhile, the time has come for distance runners to trade the hilly and uneven terrain of cross-country for the smooth springiness of a synthetic track.
As coaches, athletes and parents prepare for long weekends at the state-of-the-art athletic palace better known as the Birmingham Crossplex, here’s a quick look at some of Mountain Brook’s top athletes.
Athletes to watch:
Girls
Frances Patrick, senior: Reigning 7A state-cross country champ won the 3,200 meters at last spring’s outdoor state meet. She’ll be a significant point contributor in everything from the 800 meters up.
Eleanor Swagler, junior: Springy high jumper placed fifth at the indoor state meet the past two years.
Sophie Jane Knott, freshman: Youngster scored in the pole vault at the 2015 indoor and outdoor state meets. A talented 400 meter runner as well, she’ll be a key cog in the Spartans’ relays.
Boys
Drew Williams, senior: Less than a month after finishing seventh at the 7A state cross-country meet, the remarkably versatile athlete opened up his indoor season with a pair of wins in the high jump (6’4”) and 1,600 meters (4:21.22) at the Magic City Invitational on Dec. 5. Both were indoor personal records, and the blistering 1,600-meter time went down as the fourth fastest in Alabama indoor history.
Griffin Riley, junior: After opening his indoor season with a second-place finish in the 800 meters at Magic City, the mid-distance specialist looks primed for a big season and will also contribute in the relays.
Charlie Slaughter, sophomore: Rising star earned his first All-State selection at November’s state cross-country meet after tallying a ninth-place finish and breaking through the elite 16:00 barrier.
Top newcomers:
Holli Chapman, freshman: Finished seventh in the long jump at the outdoor state meet last spring. She’ll look to move even farther up the leaderboard this season while also contributing in the relays.
Gram Denning, freshman: An All-State performer in cross-country, he’ll be focusing on the 400 and 800 meters this season and should make an immediate impact.
Coach’s take:
Head Coach Michael McGovern
“Our team goals are always to perform our best at the end of the season at the state championship. This early in the season, it is hard to gauge the competition, but I think a top-five finish is within reach for both teams.”
Key dates: Jan. 9 – Ice Breaker Invitational, Jan. 29-30 – Last Chance Invitational, Feb. 5-6 – AHSAA State Indoor Track and Field Championships