Gardendale student Katherine Culp holds up a sign encouraging cross-country runner Jeremy Clemons, as Rockets coach Brad Robertson calls out instructions during a race last week at Mortimer Jordan.

CROSS COUNTRY

Gardendale’s usual top cross-country racers, Miller Wood and Hannah Haygood, were both on the sidelines with various injuries. But that didn’t keep their teammates from  sweeping Tuesday’s race at Pinson Valley.

The Rockets placed three runners in the boys top 10 to edge Mortimer Jordan by four points. Hueytown was well back in third place.

Haygood sprained her ankle during the race and did not finish. But teammates Brooke Graham (3rd), Ashley Wheeler (5th), Alex Martin (6th), Lacie Orris (7th) and Megan Slessman (10th) picked up the slack for Gardendale.

BOYS: 1. Gardendale 39; 2. Mortimer Jordan 43; 3. Hueytown 77; 4. Erwin 89; 5. Clay-Chalkville 160; 6. Fultondale 283; 7. Pinson Valley 284. Individuals: 1. John Craft, Clay-Chalkville, 19:50; 2. Gatlin Holland, Mortimer Jordan; 3. Zac Nichols, Gardendale; 4. Hunter Haynes, Hueytown; 5. Chase Downer, Gardendale; 6. Kyle Bryant, Mortimer Jordan; 7. Jeremy Clemons, Gardendale; 8. Herbert Moye, Erwin; 9. Michael Carter, Mortimer Jordan; 10. Garrett Wallace, Hueytown.

GIRLS: Full results not available.

VOLLEYBALL

Gardendale takes another step in the post-season Saturday, as they face Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa in the first round of the regional tournament at Oak Mountain.

A first-round win will guarantee a spot in the sub-state round, no matter how the rest of regional play goes. The Rockets would face a ranked team in the semifinals, either Vestavia Hills or Hoover; a win in that round would give Gardendale home-court advantage in the sub-state round.

The Rockets advanced after a win in a marathon Area 11 final match over Minor on Tuesday night.