Indoor runners lace up for kickoff of new season

Winter has officially arrived in Alabama, and for track and field athletes across the state that means one thing: It’s time to head indoors.

For sprinters and field event specialists, a long offseason spanning nearly seven months has finally reached its conclusion. Meanwhile, the time has come for distance runners to trade the hilly and uneven terrain of cross-country for the smooth springiness of a synthetic track. 

As coaches, athletes and parents prepare for long weekends at the state-of-the-art athletic palace better known as the Birmingham Crossplex, here’s a quick look at some of the top athletes along the 280 corridor.

Girls

Zoe Shore, Spain Park, senior: Distance specialist secured a fourth-place finish in the 3,200 meters at the 2015 7A indoor state meet and earned All-State cross-country honors in the fall for a second consecutive year.

Maddie Hoaglund, Westminster School at Oak Mountain, junior: Distance star won four individual outdoor state titles in the 1,600 and 3,200 meters as an eighth and ninth grader. After a fourth-place finish at November’s 1A-2A state cross-country meet, it remains to be seen if she’ll be able to grab her fifth title. 

Nicole Payne, Oak Mountain, freshman: She won the 7A outdoor state championship in the 400 meters last spring as an eighth grader and just claimed All-State honors in cross-country for a third straight year. 

Boys

Daniel Nixon, Spain Park, senior: Mid-distance specialist won his first individual title at last spring’s 7A outdoor state meet, shattering through the 1:55 barrier in the 800 meters with a time of 1:54.49. He opened his season with a pair of wins in both the 400 and 800 meters at the Magic City Invitational on Dec. 5 

Cole Stidfole, Oak Mountain, junior: Distance standout won the 3,200 meters at the 7A indoor and outdoor state meets in 2015. Considering he clocked the fastest time in the state of Alabama during cross-country in the fall, look for him to continue dominating in his signature event. 

Wiley Boone, Westminster School at Oak Mountain, sophomore: Youngster earned a runner-up finish in the long jump and a third-place finish in the triple jump as a freshman at the 2015 1A-3A indoor state meet.