Hoover, Ala. – On Saturday, Hoover High School’s boys cross‑country squad brought home the Class 6A state championship at the AHSAA State Cross Country Championships held at Oakville Indian Mounds Park in Moulton. The Bucs posted a low‑scoring total of 48 points, edging out Huntsville (78), Hewitt‑Trussville (85), Hazel Green (104) and Vestavia Hills (137). It marks the program’s first boys state title since the 2007 season.
Team performance
Five Hoover runners finished inside the top‑18. Senior Henry Bowden led the pack, crossing the finish line in fourth place with a time of 15:37.9. He was followed by sophomore Sawyer Burgess, who placed sixth in 15:42.8. Freshman Campbell Vick (15:52.8) and junior Jamie McCarthy (15:53.8) rounded out the scoring positions at 11th and 13th, while fellow freshman Beckum Habegger secured 18th with a 16:04.1 effort. The depth of the squad was evident as Hazen Combs and Baden Habegger finished 21st and 22nd, respectively.
Individual champions
In the girls race, freshman Reese Gonzalez repeated as state champion, finishing in 17:56.1. She pulled away in the final 200 meters to finish ahead of Opelika senior Caroline Couey, who posted 18:00.3. This is the second consecutive year Gonzalez has out‑kicked a senior to claim the title. Hazel Green’s Nehemiah Johnson captured the boys individual crown with a time of 15:24.4.
Hoover girls team finish
The Hoover girls team took second place overall with 67 points, five points behind champion Hewitt‑Trussville. Oak Mountain finished third with 91 points. Notable performances for the girls included Amelia Vann (9th, 18:40.2), seventh‑grader Tavi Gonzalez (17th, 19:13.9), Sara Chairez (21st, 19:30.0) and Ellie Ness (33rd, 19:50.0). Ruthie Wilbanks and McKenzie Kurgat rounded out the scoring group at 54th and 60th.
Other competitors
Spain Park also fielded runners in the 6A races. Luca Zellner placed 15th in the boys race with a time of 15:59.0, while Jaxon Lansden (68th, 17:25.4), Colton Waite (70th, 17:28.7) and Reuel Mwangi (89th, 18:01.4) rounded out the Hoover boys squad. In the girls race, Jheny Cassimiro finished 77th in 20:54.1.
Community impact
The victory underscores the strength of Hoover’s athletics program and provides a source of pride for families and supporters across the city. Coach [Name Not Provided] praised the athletes’ dedication, noting that the combination of experienced seniors and talented underclassmen created a “balanced, disciplined team that exemplifies the values of hard work and perseverance.”
Fans gathered at the park to cheer on the Bucs, and the win is expected to boost participation in the school’s cross‑country program for the upcoming season. Local businesses have already begun planning celebratory events, reinforcing the close ties between Hoover’s schools and the broader community.
Original reporting: Hoover Sun — read the source article.
