Thanks to Coosa Pines Federal Credit Union for sponsoring our coverage this season.
By ANDREW SIMONSON | Sports Editor
BIRMINGHAM – The indoor track and field season kicked into high gear with the annual New Year’s week Ice Breaker meet on Saturday, Jan. 3 at the Birmingham CrossPlex, and Chelsea’s Ty Cason, Pelham’s Emily Wester, Spain Park’s Jonathan Fonbah and Helena’s Abigail Parsons walked away as winners.
Like many regular season meets, the Ice Breaker was divided into first and second competitions. The Chelsea Hornets, Pelham Panthers, Spain Park Jaguars and Shelby County Wildcats competed in the first events while the Helena Huskies and Westminster School at Oak Mountain Knights were in the second ones.
Chelsea’s Ty Cason won the first girls 800-meter run with a time of 2:19.20.
Pelham’s Emily Wester secured the championship in the first girls 1,600-meter run as the Kennesaw State signee finished in 4:59.91.
Jonathan Fonbah of Spain Park won the first boys high jump after being the lone athlete to clear a mark of 6-7. His teammate Carlen Watson came in sixth as one of four athletes to end his day at a mark of 6-0.
Helena’s Abigail Parsons took the win in the second girls pole vault competition by clearing a mark of 11-0 alongside Homewood’s Eloise Delk.
Chelsea’s Niles Cummings came in second place in the first boys long jump with a mark of 21-6.5. Spain Park’s James Thompson earned seventh place with a mark of 20-5.5.
Cummings also finished second in the first boys triple jump after earning a mark of 46-7.25. Spain Park’s Fonbah was fourth with a mark of 43-2.75.
Spain Park’s Brody Ahlemeyer finished in second in the first boys 3,200-meter run with a time of 9:37.06.
Chelsea’s Caroline Thornbrough took third place in the first girls long jump event with a mark of 15-8.75.
Westminster OM finished in third in the second girls 4×800-meter relay with a time of 10:32.60 and fourth place in the second girls 4×400-meter relay with a time of 4:28.16.