Mountain Brook boys, girls win state cross country titles again
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MOULTON – Mountain Brook High School swept the boys and girls Class 6A cross country championships Saturday at Oakville Indian Mounds Park.
Spain Park’s Brandon Hazouri defended his Class 6A boys crown, running 15:45.04.
The Spartans got an assist in keeping their title streaks alive. Bus trouble threatened to bring them to an end.
"We got eight miles down the road and that was the end of it," coach Greg Echols said. "The bus driver just said, ‘Uh-oh.’ The needle went all the way to the top and smoke started coming out of the engine. We pulled over at a gas station and just parked it."
The Chelsea team turned around and picked up the Mountain Brook girls. Hoover delivered some of the Mountain Brook boys.
"Most of the cross country coaches in Birmingham are really good friends. We take care of each other," Echols said.
Ann Sisson, the leading Spartans girl, acknowledged it was an eventful morning. But Payton Ballard, the first of the Mountain Brook boys to finish, said the morning incident did not distract the annual contenders.
"We were just focused on running for ourselves and getting it done," he said.
Hewitt-Trussville’s boys again finished second to Mountain Brook. This time the margin was 45-93.
"It’s a bridesmaid thing, isn’t it?" Huskies coach David Dobbs said. "We battle them every week. We push each other every week. They are great competitors. Their depth vs. our not-depth, their tradition vs. our upcoming tradition. It’s great competition. I’d love the blue (trophy) but I’ll settle for the red."
Hazouri said he knew other runners were gunning for him after he won the 6A individual title last year.
"I just had to run my race," the Jaguar said. "You can’t get caught up in trying to do too much. I was just sticking to what I’ve done all season. Last year I had to catch someone. This year, I had to get out and hold it."
Roberts remained in the finishing chute after claiming her second straight 6A championship, saying "Good job" as others finished. She certainly did a good job herself.
"I felt really good," she said of her division-record performance. "I really wanted to run under 18. I was close but I really wanted to have a good last race to end my season in my senior year."
Lee hugged everyone he could after he crossed the finish line.
"This is what I’ve been working for all summer and all season long," he said.
