Records literally fell

Parris’ determined and dramatic finish highlights a day that saw records fall and Alexandria’s boys make program history at the Calhoun County track championships.

By Joe Medley
East Alabama Sports Today

OXFORD — Ella Parris churned her arms and gnashed her teeth, trying to finish the 800-meter run in Calhoun County-record time Wednesday, but her spent body went numb. She fell face first in front of the announcer’s tent.

With fans and race announcer John Moore encouraging Parris, the Pleasant Valley senior got to her feet, wobbled the last bit of track then fell over the finish line.

She rolled off of the track and settled in front of the Xpress Timing digital sign, showing her county-record time of two minutes, 21.91 seconds.

“I was hoping for 2:19,” she lamented after catching her breath, both knees skinned and a bandaid half hanging off of her right knee.

It counts as one of eight records that fell at this year’s Calhoun County meet, which played out Tuesday and Wednesday at Choccolocco Park. Parris’ went down as the most dramatic of records to fall, because a record falling meant the new record-holder getting up.

Alexandria’s boys also made history, ending Oxford’s run of seven consecutive county team titles with 134 points to the Yellow Jackets’ 121.

Oxford’s girls repeated, narrowly topping Oxford 132-126.

Jacksonville’s Rua Mathis finished as boys’ meet MVP, breaking county distance records in the 800 (1:58.01), 1,600 (4.18.98) and 3,200 (9.29.79).

Anniston’s Liberty Lewis won the 100, 200 and 400 dashes, earning girls’ MVP.

Jacksonville Christian’s Mollie Mullinax broke her own county records from 2025, finishing the 100 hurdles in 14.64 and 300 hurdles in 47.48.

Tuesday saw Oxford’s Xavier Endicott break a county record with a discus throw of 155-02, and Oxford’s 4×800 relay team set the new county standard at 8:20.84.

Many more details to come for EA+ subscribers, as well as Brad Campbell’s pictures. A link for full results is available now.