By Erik Harris, sports editor
CULLMAN — The Springville girls and boys cross country teams have qualified for the Class 6A State Championship Meet this Saturday.
In their first season as a 6A school, the Tigers earned their championship bid with a solid showing last week at the Section 5 meet in Cullman. The Springville girls finished third as a team behind No. 2 Southside-Gadsden and No. 1 Fort Payne, while the Tigers finished fourth in the boys run behind No. 3 Oxford, No. 2 Southside-Gadsden and No. 1 Cullman.
Springville senior Beth Ann Tucker claimed first place in the girl’s 5,000-meter run with a time of 19:57.95. She was followed by teammate Madelynn Grace Mathews, who took third place with a time of 20:07.40. The Tigers also saw a strong outing from seventh-grader Carmen McMaster, who placed 16th overall.
For the Springville boys, freshman Pete Harned paced the team with a time of 18:19.38 — good enough for 14th overall. Sophomore teammate David Robles came through at 18th and senior Jake Harned followed at 24th overall for the Tigers.
Springville will compete for the 6A boys and girls title this Saturday at the Jesse Owens Course located at Oakville Indian Mounds and State Park near Moulton. The Hewitt-Trussville girls and boys will also be onsite, competing in the 7A division.