Sparkman’s Alijah Vaughn Leads State Track Spotlight

HARVEST- The legs of Alijah Vaughn continue to pump gold. The Sparkman High sophomore sprinted to two gold medals at the Northridge-Jaguar Invitational in Tuscaloosa and has been named a headliner for the AHSAA Outdoor Track Spotlight for his efforts.

For the Spotlight, Vaughn sprinted to personal bests in the 100 and 200-meter events at the Northridge-Jaguar Invitational in Tuscaloosa. He clocked 10.60 seconds in the 100-meter event and 21.46 seconds in the 200-meter sprint. Those times are also the state’s fastest in both events so far in the 2024 outdoor track season.

“I am very proud of Alijah and his accomplishments as he’s grounded, humble and excited for the opportunities that lie ahead,” said Jeff McNealey, head coach of the Sparkman track program. “He has ambitions of one day running in the Olympics, and as a sophomore running these times, I would say that with continued training and focus, he will be well on his way.”

In the just completed indoor track season, Vaughn won the state championship gold medal in the 60-meter dash with a winning time of 6.84 seconds. The mark ranked him third in the national among the sophomore class and was the top listed time in Alabama among all classifications and classes. He also was part of two relay teams that placed in the Indoor State Meet.

Additional performances were made mention in the AHSAA Spotlight:

Luke Alverson, James Clemens: Clocked 4:15.37 in the 1,600 meters in the Thursday “Night” Invitational in Arab. His time is recorded as the state’s best.

ZARIA PARKER, JAMES CLEMENS: Won the 100 meters at the Thursday “Knight” Invitational with a time of 12:21 seconds.

ZATHIAN WEBSTER, BOB JONES: Finished runner-up in the 100 meters at the Northridge-Jaguar Invitational with a time of 10.63 seconds.

JORDAN URRUTIA, BOB JONES: Tied for first in the 400-meter race in 49.49 seconds and finished second in the 200 meters with a time of 21.90 seconds at the Northridge-Jaguar Invitational.

 DYLAN DRYER, JAMES CLEMENS: Won the 800 meters at the Thursday “Knight” Invitational with a time of 1:54.61.

COLE ROBINSON, JAMES CLEMENS: Finished fourth in the 1,600 meters at the Thursday “Knight” Invitational with a time of 4:17.65.

ISAAC POLLARD, JAMES CLEMENS: Clocked 39.27 seconds to win the 300-meter hurdles at the Thursday “Knight” Invitational.