November 7, 2026 | JCXC Junior High Girls Cross Country

Liberty Middle School seventh grader Emily Jones concluded an outstanding first season of cross country Saturday at the 2026 AHSAA Class 6A State Championship at Oakville Indian Mounds in Danville, competing against some of Alabama's top high school distance runners.

Jones finished 78th overall in the girls' 5000-meter championship with a personal-best time of 20:55.1. Among the 16 seventh grade girls competing, she placed fifth, finishing ahead of 11 of her 15 seventh grade competitors and 55.5 seconds ahead of the next seventh grade finisher.

Her performance was especially impressive considering that this was her first season participating in cross country.

Throughout the fall, Jones established herself as the leading runner for the James Clemens Junior High Girls. Her championship season included competing at the Junior High Championship in the two-mile distance, advancing to the AHSAA Sectional Championship in the 5000 meters, and ultimately earning the opportunity to compete at State.

That progression required Jones to transition from junior high competition to racing against older, more experienced high school athletes at the sectional and state levels.

2026 AHSAA Class 6A State Championship Result

Girls 5000m | 175 Total Competitors
Athlete Overall Place Time
Emily Jones (7) 78th 20:55.1 PB

Seventh Grade Division: 5th of 16 competitors

Under the guidance of Head Coach Cheryl M. Ross, Jones demonstrated exceptional growth, determination, and competitive maturity throughout the season. Her progression from a first-year junior high runner to a state championship competitor reflects both her individual commitment and the potential she has shown as a young distance runner.

Jones' performance represents a significant accomplishment for the James Clemens Junior High Girls program and provides an encouraging glimpse of its future.

Congratulations to Emily on an outstanding debut season and to the entire Junior High Girls team for their hard work, improvement, and dedication throughout the fall.

One Team. One Fleet. We Rise Together!