The Alba-Golden Panthers returned from the District 15-2A meet in Cooper with two more varsity track championship trophies. The boys won in an overwhelming manner, scoring in double figures for all but one event. 

The boys varsity squad produced blue-ribbon finishes in the 100-meter dash (Jake Hallman, 11.26), 200-meter dash (Wyatt Sutton, 23.12), 400-meter dash (Payton Dickinson, 50.89), 300-meter hurdles (Cameron Lennon, 43.57), 4x100-meter relay (Kayden Massie, Wyatt Sutton, Payton Dickinson, Gavin Parker), 4x200-meter relay (Jake Hallman, Wyatt Sutton, Payton Dickinson, Gavin Parker), 4x400-meter relay (Garrett Wright, Cameron Lennon, Gabriel Pfingsten, Gavin Parker), long jump (Gavin Parker, 19’6.75”), shot put (Layton Williams, 44’1”) and triple jump (Wyatt Sutton, 42’ 1.5”). 

The Panthers dominated the field. They amassed 261 points – clear of second-place Cooper by 139 points. 

The Lady Panther championship was not as dominating, but every bit as competitive. Leading the efforts with first-place finishes for the Lady Panthers were Braelyn Massie (400-meter dash, 1:05.80), Erin Langston (100-meter hurdles, 17.98), and Olivia Morrison (pole vault, 8’).  The  4x100-meter and 4x400-meter relay teams also claimed blue ribbons. They were Braelyn Massie, Kalli Trimble, Landrie Boyd and Lainey Teel in the 4x100; and Massie, Trimble, Teel and Campbell Shrum in the 4x400.

Fourth place finishers, who also merit advancing to the area meet for Alba-Golden included Kayden Massie (400m), Otis Lee (1600m), William Morris (3200m), Braylon Oliver (110m hurdles), Layton Williams (discus), Payton Dickinson (high jump), Jayden Hathcock (100m and 200m), Campbell Shrum (800m) and Kalli Trimble (long jump).

To put the Alba-Golden track success in perspective, the boys program has won four consecutive district titles, and the girls three of the last four. 

Athletic Director Drew Webster commented, “We have been able to seize on a moment of success four years ago, nurture it and use it as a springboard for sustained success in all sports. In that process the kids, and the coaches have given the community and school an athletic program they all can get behind and be proud of.”  

Webster went on to credit the selfless service of the coaching staff and the involvement of every athlete in the program in helping to generate success.

He reflected, “It is just awesome to watch our kids compete.”

As if to stake claims on future contests, the junior varsity boys and junior high boys and girls won championships.