The Fort Payne Track and Field team delivered impressive results at the MLK Classic, their first competition since the Christmas break. They set two school records and secured multiple top finishes across various events. The meet took place on Monday at the Birmingham Crossplex.
Fort Payne's athletes competed strongly in the MLK Classic, marking a solid return to action after the holiday pause. The team achieved notable success in several disciplines, including field and sprint events.
In the shot put, Hadlee Powell claimed first place and shattered her previous school record with a throw measuring 38 feet 4 inches. The boys' 4x200 relay team also set a new school record, finishing seventh overall in 1:33.33.
Pole vault highlights included Audrey Pacini winning gold with a height of 10 feet 6 inches, while Alonna Baumgartner took fourth at 10 feet. In hurdles, Kingston Orr earned silver in the boys' 60-meter event at 8.49 seconds, and Lydie Varnadore matched that with second place in the girls' version at 9.20 seconds.
The boys' 4x400 relay secured third position in 3:34.44. Kyndal Hughes placed third in the girls' 3200-meter run with a time of 11:58.62. The girls' 4x400 and 4x800 relays both finished fifth, clocking 4:15.63 and 10:43.32 respectively.
Additional strong showings came from Varnadore, who placed sixth in high jump at 5 feet, and Daniel DeLeon, sixth in the boys' 1600 meters at 4:31.10.
Looking ahead, the Wildcats are gearing up for the state track meet scheduled for January 30.
