2 more state champs
- Updated: May 5, 2018
PV’s Miller, Faucett win titles in first day of Class 1A-3A state meet in Cullman, join Johnson, Yates as state champions
Pleasant Valley senior Matisse Miller (C) wasn’t going to run in the boys 3A 1600 to save his legs for another race, but went for it and won the state title. (Photos by Christa Harris)
By East Alabama Sports Today
CULLMAN – Matisse Miller wasn’t sure he wanted to run in the Class 3A boys 1600 meter race during Friday’s first day of the state 1A-3A track meet here.
It wasn’t that he was being selfish, he wanted to save his strength – and his legs – for a chance to help the Pleasant Valley 4×800 relay team chase a state title.
After contemplating his decision, he decided to give it a shot, if only to try to set the school record. Good thing went for it. He wound up winning one of the closest races of the day to become the state champion he promised several family members he would become before graduating.
Miller was down to his last couple shots to make good on that promise. He ran 4:34.06 in the 1600, edging American Christian’s David Barrett by 0.68 seconds. Chase Prater of Elkmont was third another second behind.
“I started the day out and told (principal Mark) Proper and coach (Brad) Hood that I was probably just going to sit it out and then at the last second decided to run it,” Miller said. “I just really wanted to get the school record and I wasn’t too worried about state.”
Hood said he usually leaves the decision to run up to the individual athletes.
“I want all of them to run their events,” Hood said. “If they would rather not to save legs for other events it’s up to them.”
Miller said the enthusiasm of the crowd motivated him. It gave him an adrenaline rush with about 350 meters to go and he started his kick, but thought he may have gone too soon. About 20 meters separated Miller from second with about 200 meters left and he held on through the finish.
Once he got motivated, he had extra motivation to run hard.
“I promised by dad that I would win a state title before I graduated and I promised my brother before he left for basic training that I would win one,” he said. “He has always been my biggest supporter, not only in track but in everything, and I can’t wait to tell him that I’ve finally done it like I promised.”
Miller wasn’t the only state champion from PV crowned Friday. Rachel Faucett added another to her list of career titles when she won the 3A girls high jump at 5-4.
In the 1A-3A team standings, Piedmont’s boys are fourth in 3A (29, three points out of second); Pleasant Valley is sixth (20), Weaver is T-13 (5), Ohatchee is 16th (3). On the girls side, Pleasant Valley is fourth (38), Ohatchee is seventh (17) and Piedmont is 11th (5.5). In Class 1A, Donoho’s boys have two points. On the girls side, Donoho is 19th (3).
In the 4A-7A championships in Gulf Shores, Oxford is fifth in 6A boys; White Plains is T-14 (8) in 4A, followed by Anniston (27th) and Saks (30th). On the girls side, Oxford is 16th (6.5); Alexandria is sixth (30); White Plains is seventh (20) and Saks is 16th (5).
Rachel Faucett (C) and Brenna Harris (R) gave Pleasant Valley a 1-3 finish in the girls 3A high jump.
Here is the list of Friday’s point-scorers from Calhoun County schools at the two state championship meets
1A-3A STATE MEET IN CULLMAN
BOYS
3A Shot put: 2. Micah Benefield, Piedmont 139-5; 6. Logan Beadles, Piedmont 123-2
3A Pole vault: 5. Matthew Pfledderer, Piedmont 12-0; 7. Brody Hester, Ohatchee 11-0; 8. Caden Compton, Piedmont 10-6
1A 1600: 7. Kam Thomas, Donoho 5:04.78
3A 1600: 1. Matisse Miller, Pleasant Valley 4:34.06; 8. Gabe Hammonds, Ohatchee 4:54.83
3A 400: 5. Connor Wolfe, Pleasant Valley 52.00
3A Triple jump: 2. Cardavion Myers, Piedmont 43-3; 3. Darrian Bossey, Piedmont, 43-0.25; 4. Robert Gaines, Weaver 42-8.5
3A 4×800: 3. Pleasant Valley 8:40.10
Note: Wadley’s Taquavian Drake won the 1A triple jump (43-9.5) and high jump (6-2); Wadley’s Rikishi Buchanan won the 1A 400 (50.19)
GIRLS
3A Shot put: 8. Alyssa Cash, Pleasant Valley 30-3.5
3A High jump: 1. Rachel Faucett, Pleasant Valley 5-4; 3. Brenna Harris, Pleasant Valley 5-2; 5. Audrea McKnight, Ohatchee 4-8; 7. Marli Hanks, Ohatchee 4-8; T-8 Macy Hanson, Piedmont 4-6
3A Javelin: 2. Laura Hurst, Ohatchee 113-6; 6. Kourtney Shuler, Ohatchee 99-1
3A Pole vault: T-2 Brenna Harris, Pleasant Valley 10-0; 6. Macy Hanson, Piedmont 8-6; 7. Emily Ksor, Piedmont 8-0; 8. Malori Blackmon, Ohatche 7-6
3A 400: 3. Rachel Faucett, Pleasant Valley 1:01.52
1A 4×800: 6. Donoho 12:38.62
3A 4×800: 2. Pleasant Valley 10:25.92
4A-7A MEET IN GULF SHORES
(Day Two)
BOYS
6A 400: 3. Kendrick Foster, Oxford 49.35
4A 4×800 Relay: 6. Anniston 8:35.09
6A 4×800 Relay: 3. Oxford 8:26.79
GIRLS
4A Shot put: 6. Jocelyn Harris, White Plains 31-10.25
6A Long jump: T-8 Oliva Smith, Oxford 16-2.5
5A 3200: 5. Abby Nunnelly, Alexandria 12:07.36
5A 400: 8. Karlee Walker, Alexandria 1:00.71
6A 400: 8. Shania Vincent, Oxford 59.57
5A 4×800 Relay: 7. Alexandria 10:57.91
5A Discus: 2. Taylor Spradley, Alexandria 110-10; 5. Kalee Johnson, Alexandria 95-9
4A Long jump: 7. Sa’Nya Fleming, Saks 15-5.75
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