PREP ROUNDUP: Good Hope’s Guevara wins 2nd straight state shot put title; Area softball tourneys in full swing
Published 9:02 pm Thursday, April 30, 2015
- Elena Guevara, seen here with Good Hope coach Matt Heaton at the county track meet, won her second straight state shot put title and fifth gold medal overall Thursday in Gulf Shores.
GULF SHORES — Winning a state title was a dream for Elena Guevara as a junior.
This year, it was an expectation.
Trending
The Good Hope wheelchair competitor closed out an inspirational prep career in style Thursday at the Class 4A-7A state track and field meet, claiming a second consecutive shot put championship and setting a new state record in the process.
Guevara, who was born with spina bifida and suffers from scoliosis, snagged her fifth overall gold with a toss of 6 feet, 2 inches. The top result put the finishing touches on a prosperous resume that includes the school’s first team state title and state records in all four of her respective events.
“I am proud of what she has accomplished as a member of our team and the lightning rod she has been for wheelchair and paralympic track in the state of Alabama,” Good Hope coach Matt Heaton said. “Elena has set the standard for wheelchair track in our state, and I hope the little part we played goes a long way in helping wheelchair and paralympic track in our state flourish in the future.”
Cullman’s Kyle Norris was the only other local to score points for his squad Thursday, finishing fifth in the 6A 1,600-meter run.
Competition at the beach will continue Friday for Cullman, Fairview, Good Hope and West Point.
Addison, Cold Springs, Hanceville, Holly Pond, St. Bernard and Vinemont will get the 1A-3A championships going early Friday morning at Cullman High.
Trending
Both meets will conclude Saturday.
Prep Softball
% West Point 2, Russellville 1: Darana Campbell’s fourth-inning home run lifted the Lady Warriors to an opening-round win at the 5A, Area 14 Tournament Thursday at Lawrence County.
With West Point trailing 1-0, Karli Beck led off the decisive frame with a double and trotted the rest of the way home when Campbell, a Judson signee, put her latest pitch over the fence.
Campbell also led the Lady Warriors’ singles club, which included Jeri Beasley, Mallory Walker, Bailee Yearwood and Kayla Sullins.
Beasley kept the Golden Tigers in check in the circle, striking out four and yielding a walk and three hits in a complete game effort.
West Point was later sent to the loser’s bracket following an 8-2 loss to the hosts.
Campbell tacked on another pair of singles, Sullins added one, and Karra Elam and Jordyn Kimbrell had RBIs.
The Warriors will play the winner between Fairview and Russellville Friday at 4 p.m. The Aggies lost their first game 15-0 to Lawrence County.
% Cullman 7, Austin 3: Elli Dixon went 2 for 2 with three RBIs, and Sierra Easterwood racked up a single, two RBIs and a stolen base to set up a highly anticipated rematch between heated rivals.
The first spot in the 6A, Area 15 Tournament title tilt will go to the victor of Friday’s 2 p.m. bout pitting the eighth-ranked Lady Bearcats (26-13) against No. 2 Hartselle. The host Tigers came out on top in both prior meetings.
Claire Jenkins was 2 for 4 with a double, and McKensi Burks chipped in a two-base knock of her own. Tiffani Schwaiger, Olivia Schwaiger, Kylie Witcher and Taiya Ponder each had hits.
Olivia Schwaiger slung all seven innings, fanning five and giving up a walk and six hits.
% Oneonta 9, Good Hope 6: Despite a three-run homer and 14 innings pitched from sophomore Josie McDonald on Day 2 of the 4A, Area 10 Tournament, the Lady Raiders fell to the Redskins and 4-1 to J.B. Pennington to close the spring at 15-17.
Bailey Starnes smacked a double as part of a three-hit Thursday, while MaKailey Speegle came through for two singles and an RBI. Morgan Goodwin clubbed a double and single. Skylar Tucker and McDonald added knocks.
McDonald took both losses, combining for five K’s, eight walks and 12 hits.