BIRMINGHAM- The Liberty Middle School indoor track program stepped to a new plateau last week with 25 state qualifying marks at a multi-school meet at the CrossPlex in Birmingham.

The Lions were led by the gold medal performance of Ashlyn Diehl who set a new state record, CrossPlex record and team record in the pole vault with a mark of 8.07 meters.

“Ashlyn is an amazing athlete as our coaching staff asked her to do something, she just smiles and gets her job done,” said Drew Bell head coach of the James Clemens/Liberty track programs. “She came to us from the cross country program in an attempt to help her stamina needed for her play in soccer. She will qualify for the Middle School State Meet in three events as she’s also a sprinter as one of the top five in Alabama in the 800-meter.”
The Lions dominated the girls high jump competition with three Lions among the top four. Lily Melton was the gold medal winner with a jump of 4-08 followed by teammates Chloe Morse (4-04) in second and Arkayla Bothwell in fourth place (4-04).

Dylan Dryer was the gold medal winner in the boys 1,600-meter run. He posted a time of 4:57.23, which was also a school record. Luca Furfori was a silver medal winner in the boys high jump (5-04).

Overall, the Lions won seven medals, posted two school records to go along with Diehl’s state and CrossPlex record.