“In the realm of high school sports, where talent and determination collide, a pair of exceptional athletes has etched their names into the annals of history. Somer Rone and Haylei Mason, two standouts from the area, have achieved the unthinkable, each bagging two state championships to spearhead the region’s most impressive showings. As the dust settles on a thrilling season, Morningpicker takes a closer look at these remarkable achievers, whose unwavering dedication and unrelenting passion have inspired a generation of young athletes.”
Area Athletes Shine in Early Season Track and Field Action
The 2025 AHSAA Outdoor Track season has begun with strong performances from area athletes, as reported by www.alabamarunners.com. The season kicked off on Feb. 20, with section meets scheduled for April 25-26, followed by the Class 4A-7A state track meet in Gulf Shores May 1-3, and the Class 1A-3A state meet in Cullman May 2-3.
Top Girls’ Performances
Zaria Parker, a junior at James Clemens, clocked 11.73 seconds to win the 100-meter dash at the Bob Jones Redcoat on March 1, and 24.53 seconds to win the 200 meters. Both times are the fastest in the state so far this season, and her 100-meter time ranks No. 14 nationally so far this season.
J’da Williams, a senior at Athens, finished second with a time of 12.16 seconds in the 100 meters at the Bob Jones Redcoat. Jaziya Watkins, a junior at Enterprise, clocked 12.17 seconds in the 100 meters at the Enterprise Invite No. 2 on Feb. 28. London Hall, a junior at James Clemens, finished runner-up in the 200 meters at the Bob Jones Redcoat with a time of 24.97 seconds.
Taylor Canada, a senior at Hoover, won the 200 meters at the Husky March Classic on Feb. 28, with a time of 25.04 seconds. Alieah Nelms, a junior at Opelika, won the 400 meters at the Auburn Early Bird on Feb. 27, with a time of 55.98 seconds. Ruthie Jones, a senior at Fort Payne, clocked 58.44 seconds in the 400 meters at the Albertville Varsity Meet No. 1 on Feb. 28.
Daisy Luna, a junior at Hoover, won the 400 meters at the Husky March Classic with a time of 58.44 seconds. Riley Zeanah, a junior at Vestavia Hills, clocked 2:15.75 to win the 800 meters at the Husky March Classic. Catarina Williams, a senior at Oak Mountain, ran runner-up in the 800 meters at the Husky March Classic with a time of 2:18.25.
Anna James Litty, a junior at Vestavia Hills, finished third in the 800 meters at the Husky March Classic with a time of 2:18.69. Emma Brook Levering, a junior at Homewood, won the 1,600 meters in a photo finish at the Husky March Classic with a time of 5:07.28. Catherine Wallace, a senior at Hoover, finished second in the 1,600 meters at the Husky March Classic with a time of 5:07.36.
Ava Sparks, a junior at Hoover, ran third in the 1,600 meters at the Husky March Classic with a time of 5:08.83. Katie Mae Coan, a senior at Lawrence County, clocked 11:02.82 to win the 3,200 meters at the James Clemens Early Bird on Feb. 22. Shelby Fargason, a senior at Bayside Academy, won the 3,200 meters at the Battle of Bay on Feb. 27, with a time of 11:33.72.
Mary Taylor, a senior at Whitesburg Christian, won the 3,200 meters at the Bob Jones Redcoat with a time of 12:02.94. Katherine Lee, a senior at Auburn, won the 100-meter hurdles at the Bob Jones Redcoat with a time of 14.38 seconds, and finished runner-up in the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 44.91 seconds.
On the boys’ side, Hewitt-Trussville senior Shaw Helfrich set a new personal record in the pole vault by clearing 15 feet at the Husky March Classic on Feb. 28. He previously cleared 14 feet, 5 ¼ inches during the state decathlon last season, and he cleared 14 feet during the 2024-25 indoor season before finishing fourth in the Class 7A pole vault at the 2025 state indoor meet.
As a junior, Ford won state titles in the 100-meter hurdles, 300-meter hurdles, triple jump, and long jump. She also won the state heptathlon title for the second straight season.
Here’s a look at other top performances from early-season action, according to www.alabamarunners.com:
- Zaria Parker, James Clemens: Clocked 11.73 seconds to win the 100-meter dash at the Bob Jones Redcoat on March 1 and clocked 24.53 seconds to win the 200 meters.
- J’da Williams, Athens: Finished second with a time of 12.16 seconds in the 100 meters at the Bob Jones Redcoat.
- Jaziya Watkins, Enterprise: Clocked 12.17 seconds in the 100 meters at the Enterprise Invite No. 2 on Feb. 28.
- Shaw Helfrich, Hewitt-Trussville: Set a new personal record in the pole vault by clearing 15 feet at the Husky March Classic on Feb. 28.
Other Notable Performances from Early-Season Meets
As the track and field season continues to heat up, several athletes have already made a name for themselves with impressive performances. On the girls’ side, Zaria Parker from James Clemens has been turning heads with her speed, clocking 11.73 seconds to win the 100-meter dash at the Bob Jones Redcoat on March 1. This time is not only the fastest in the state so far this season but also ranks No. 14 nationally. Parker also won the 200 meters with a time of 24.53 seconds, which is also the fastest in the state.
Other notable girls’ performances include J’Da Williams from Athens, who finished second in the 100 meters at the Bob Jones Redcoat with a time of 12.16 seconds, and Jaziya Watkins from Enterprise, who clocked 12.17 seconds in the 100 meters at the Enterprise Invite No. 2 on Feb. 28. London Hall from James Clemens finished runner-up in the 200 meters at the Bob Jones Redcoat with a time of 24.97 seconds, while Taylor Canada from Hoover won the 200 meters at the Husky March Classic on Feb. 28 with a time of 25.04 seconds.
Boys’ Standout Performances
On the boys’ side, Shaw Helfrich from Hewitt-Trussville has been making waves with his pole vaulting skills, setting a new personal record by clearing 15 feet at the Husky March Classic on Feb. 28. This is a significant improvement from his previous personal record of 14 feet, 5 ¼ inches during the state decathlon last season. Helfrich also set personal records in the 100-meter dash and 110-meter hurdles in his season-opening outdoor meet.
Other notable boys’ performances include Riley Zeannah from Vestavia Hills, who clocked 2:15.75 to win the 800 meters at the Husky March Classic, and Catarina Williams from Oak Mountain, who ran runner-up in the 800 meters at the Husky March Classic with a time of 2:18.25. Anna James Litty from Vestavia Hills finished third in the 800 meters at the Husky March Classic with a time of 2:18.69.
Notable Boys’ Performances from Early-Season Action
According to Morningpicker’s analysis of early-season meets, several boys have already made a strong impression. Emma Brook Levering from Homewood won the 1,600 meters in a photo finish at the Husky March Classic with a time of 5:07.28, while Catherine Wallace from Hoover finished second in the 1,600 meters at the Husky March Classic with a time of 5:07.36. Ava Sparks from Hoover ran third in the 1,600 meters at the Husky March Classic with a time of 5:08.83.
Other notable performances include Katie Mae Coan from Lawrence County, who clocked 11:02.82 to win the 3,200 meters at the James Clemens Early Bird on Feb. 22, and Shelby Fargason from Bayside Academy, who won the 3,200 meters at the Battle of Bay on Feb. 27 with a time of 11:33.72. Mary Taylor from Whitesburg Christian won the 3,200 meters at the Bob Jones Redcoat with a time of 12:02.94.
Looking Ahead to the Rest of the Season
As the season progresses, athletes will be gearing up for the section meets and state championships. The section meets are scheduled for April 25-26, followed by the Class 4A-7A state track meet in Gulf Shores on May 1-3, and the Class 1A-3A state meet in Cullman on May 2-3. Morningpicker will be providing extensive coverage of these events, including previews, analysis, and expert insights.
Section Meets and State Championships
The section meets will be a crucial test for athletes, as they will be competing against the best in their respective sections. The top performers will then move on to the state championships, where they will face off against the best in the state. Morningpicker’s experts will be providing in-depth analysis of the section meets and state championships, including predictions, previews, and recaps.
The state championships will be a culmination of all the hard work and dedication that athletes have put in throughout the season. It will be a showcase of the best talent in the state, and Morningpicker will be there to provide comprehensive coverage. From the fastest times to the highest jumps, Morningpicker will have it all covered.
What’s to Come for Area Athletes
As the season progresses, area athletes will be looking to make their mark on the state track and field scene. With the section meets and state championships on the horizon, athletes will be pushing themselves to new heights. Morningpicker will be tracking the progress of these athletes, providing updates, and analysis of their performances.
Morningpicker’s experts will also be providing insights into the trends and storylines that are emerging throughout the season. From the rise of new stars to the dominance of established athletes, Morningpicker will be covering it all. With the help of Morningpicker’s expert analysis, fans will be able to stay ahead of the curve and get the inside scoop on the latest developments in the world of track and field.
- Section meets: April 25-26
- Class 4A-7A state track meet: May 1-3
- Class 1A-3A state meet: May 2-3
Conclusion
In conclusion, the exceptional performances of Somer Rone and Haylei Mason, each securing two state championships, have left an indelible mark on the sporting landscape of Montgomery. Through their remarkable achievements, they have not only brought pride to their respective schools but have also inspired a generation of young athletes to strive for excellence. The significance of their accomplishments lies in their ability to overcome adversity, push beyond perceived limits, and showcase the power of dedication and perseverance.
As we reflect on these outstanding performances, we are reminded of the transformative impact that sports can have on individuals, communities, and society as a whole. The ripples of inspiration and motivation generated by Rone and Mason’s achievements will undoubtedly resonate with aspiring athletes, and parents, sparking a renewed focus on nurturing and developing young talent. As we look to the future, it will be fascinating to observe how these trailblazing athletes continue to grow, evolve, and make their mark on the sporting world.