SCOTSSBORO- James Clemens raced out of the startline of the 2012 cross country season with a strong step towards a superb season by winning the boys division of the Black & Gold Invitational hosted by Scottsboro High. The Lady Jets finished second in the girls division led by Kayla Willett.

The Jets posted 85 points and an average of 16-minutes, 53.61 seconds in their victory. Luke Alverson, a freshman, was the top finisher for James Clemens as he finished tenth with a time of 16:36.60. The Jets placed three runners in the top 15 and their top five scorers finished in the top 26. Bob Jones took sixth place with 172 points and an average of 17:31.03. The Patriots were led by Ryan Bender. The senior Patriot finished seventh out of 235 runners with a finish time of 16:16.15.

The division was super competitive as the second ranked Jets were joined by No. 5 Bob Jones, No. 7 Spain Park, and No. 9 ranked Hewitt-Trussville. The meet also featured Class 6A top ranked Scottsboro and No. 2 Cullman.

In girls, James Clemens placed all of their top five scorers among the top 20. As a team, the Lady Jets scored 68 points with an average of 20:51.18 just behind meet winner Hewitt-Trussville, which scored 50 points on way to its way to an average finish of 20:42.02.

Willett easily started the season with a strong performance by pulling away from the 148-member field and putting her among the top cross country runners in Alabama.

The girls division include the second ranked Jets, No. 5 Hewitt-Trussville, No. 9 Spain Park in Class 7A along with 6A powerhouse No. 6 Scottsboro and the second ranked team in 5A, Saint John Paul II.

In boys JV, among the top 10 finishers were No. 3 Caleb Johnson, 9, Bob Jones, 11:41.19, No. 7 Andrews Gohlich, 9, James Clemens, 12:27.90, No. 8 Ethan Brewer, 9, James Clemens, 12:32.96 and No. 10, Luke Allen, 9, Bob Jones, 12:35.28.

In girls JV, No. 6 Ami Marks, 7, Bob Jones, 14:46.37.