Tuscumbia Parks and Rec track has 13 medal at state meet

The Tuscumbia Parks and Recreation youth track program has only been in operation for two years now, but already the program is bringing home accolades.

The team had 25 out of 84 kids qualify for the state track and field meet in Gadsden on May 17, and 13 of those athletes finished in the top three — high enough to medal — in their events.

Those athletes were honored during the June 2 meeting of the Tuscumbia City Council.

Despite only being in its second year, Tuscumbia Parks and Recreation Athletic Director Austin Moreland said the city has one of the largest groups in the district.

“Track meets are organized chaos,” Moreland said. “You have different events going on at same time and so many Tuscumbia jerseys running around.”

He said the athletes competed in three meets this season: Tuscumbia, Hamilton and Florence.

The 25 athletes from Tuscumbia who qualified for the state meet were among over 700 competitors from across Alabama.

Eddley Meherg earned a gold medal by coming out ahead of the competition in the 12 and Under girls’ softball throw.

The 8 and Under girls’ 4×100 relay team (Auriya Gunn, Kori Byrd, Ava King and A’Zuri Barton) earned bronze medals with a third-place finish.

The 10 and Under girls’ 4×100 relay team (Victoria Smith, Isla Crosswhite, Havan Gamble and Harmoni Belue) also placed third, with Gamble coming in second in the running long jump.

The 8 and Under boys’ 4×100 relay team (John “Camp” Berry, Elijah Glover, Kaiden Long and Kyrie Jackson) placed third as well, with Berry also earning bronze in the softball throw.

 

“Having 13 athletes place in the top three out of over 700 is huge,” Moreland said. “It is a great achievement for the kids.”

Moreland said the state track meet lasted 14 hours, and Tuscumbia’s medalist did not receive their accolades on the day.

The medals were mailed later, and the athletes received their spoils during the Council meeting.