Messenger file photo by Chris McCarthy
By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor
Torin Bright is very likely running out of wall space for his accumulated track and field hardware.
Most recently, the Sardis High senior won three gold medals at the Albertville Invitational on April 8. Bright (pictured above) earned the first-place gold in the 100-meter hurdles at 15.50 seconds, the 300-meter hurdles at 43.55 seconds and the long jump at 20-10.50 feet. Bright’s performance helped the Lions finish third out of 14 teams. His effort in the long jump was a personal record.
“I just try to focus and not overthink,” Bright said of his mindset prior to an event. “I just try to do what I do.”
Bright, who recently committed to run track at Spring Hill College in Mobile, also lettered in football for the Lions but prefers track, the sport he’s competed in on the varsity level since the seventh grade.
“In track, you’re running for time, so it’s a lot harder mentally,” he said. “But track has always been my sport. I also run with the Gadsden Burners, and they’ve helped me a lot.”
Bright is confident he will qualify in the above three events for state at the Class 5A Section 4 meet next Friday and Saturday (Apr. 23-24) at Guntersville High School.
“I prefer the 110 [hurdles] but this year I’ve actually done better in the 300. The 110 is shorter, so it’s over quicker,” he said with a laugh.
Several of Bright teammates medaled at Albertville. Winning gold were Jake Alewine in the high jump (5-10.00) and Brody Lowe in the discus (130-11). Lowe also finished second in the shot put (45-05.00), while Tony Patterson earned the silver in the discus (114-08.50).
The Sardis girls also did well at Albertville, coming in fourth out of 12 teams. Abby Burns won silver medals in the long jump (15-08.00) and the triple jump (33-06.00).
Placing third for the Lady Lions were Abby Rodgers in the 100-meter dash (17.96), Lily Underwood in the discus (79-11.75) and the 4×100-meter relay team of Rodgers, Underwood, Kimberly Powell and Amaya Kittle (55.31).
In other local boys action at Albertville, Westbrook Christian’s Carl Henry won the shot put at 46-04.00, Gaston’s Kendall Blackwell took second in the 200-meter dash at 23.95, Ashville’s Nick Spears won the silver in the pole vault at 11-02.00, Westbrook’s Sage Robertson placed third in the 200-meter dash at 24.02 and Gaston’s Kodie Bogle captured the bronze in the javelin at 143-04.