BamaOnLine.com - Tide signees, prospects active at state track meet

May 1, 2004

Cary L. Clark
BamaOnLine.com Staff Writer

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. --- There's something to be said about this football players-running-track thing. Just ask Bama signee Justin Britt of Cullman. Britt won the 5A shot put with a 50-07.75, and captured the discus crown as well with a heave of 153-03 to help his team to the state title. He'll be the first to tell you that the weight events in track are made for linemen. "It's all about explosiveness, and that's what football is all about when you're playing," said the Bearcat senior. "As long as you've got that explosiveness you can excel in both shot put and disc."

Britt added that he has made a decision regarding participation in next month's Alabama/Mississippi All-Star Classic in Mobile. "I decided not to go, because we don't graduate until June 4th, and I would miss out on a lot of the graduation activities. I decided it would be best to experience that." Britt said he plans to report to Tuscaloosa in June and take classes in the second summer term at the Capstone.

The 4A/5A/6A state meet was held at first-year school Paul W. Bryant High. Kudos to former Tide track manager and current Bryant A.D. Randy Bunn for a fabulous meet he put on, with the help of Northridge coach Jeff Sparks. Bunn's decision to use Dreamland as one of several caterers was especially popular to those working the meet.

Hillcrest athlete Travis Robinson injured himself, pulling a muscle on the final leg of the 6A 4x100 but gutting out a fourth-place finish. The future Tide defensive back took eighth in the long jump (21-02.25). Tuscaloosa County running back/defensive back David McCants ran leg two of the Wildcat's champion relay team, and took fourth in the long jump (22-01). North Jackson tailback/defender Ali Sharrief took sixth in the 4A 100 meter dash with an 11.57. Elza Allen, a Shades Valley wide receiver, finished the year unbeaten in the 110 Hurdles, but was beaten for the 300 Hurdle title by NC State signee Jeremy Gray of Opelika. Pelham wideout Montez Billings smoked the field in the 6A 200 with a 21.74.

Bama track signee Michael Cooley of Mobile's Blount High had a nice weekend. He took first in the 5A 200 with a 21.9, and second place in the 400 despite battling an injury. "It was a normal race. After tearing my quad (muscle) last week, it was kind of hard to catch the guy in lane four," he said post-race. How did Cooley arrive at his decision to run for Harvey Glance's Crimson Tide squad? Simple. "I've always wanted to go to Alabama," he said matter-of-factly. "That should be every child's dream in the state of Alabama."

Can I get an "Amen?"

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