West Lauderdale Knights Clinch Third Consecutive State Title

The West Lauderdale Knights secured their third consecutive Class 4A State Championship in cross country on November 1, 2025, under the leadership of head coach Paul Shelly. The team’s victory not only showcases their athletic prowess but also reflects the dedication and hard work of the runners who have trained rigorously throughout the season.

Walton’s Triumph and Future Aspirations

Senior runner Hunter Walton capped off his high school career by claiming his second consecutive individual state championship, finishing the race in an impressive 16:18. This time was a remarkable 52 seconds faster than his performance at the previous year’s state meet and marked his third year receiving All-State honors. Walton plans to continue his running career at Meridian Community College in 2026, where he is eager to face new challenges.

Reflecting on his achievement, Walton stated, “I’ll go to MCC and improve from there. It’s a lot harder at the next level. There’s a higher level of coaches and you run harder than your old training. Beyond that, I’ll go wherever God’s plan takes me.” His commitment to improvement and self-motivation has set a strong example for his teammates.

Team Performance and Future Outlook

Coach Shelly emphasized the significance of this year’s championship, noting that the presence of a state rival, Corinth, added competitive intensity. “Corinth was in Class 5A last year, so there wasn’t a lot of drama to it,” he explained. The team’s overall performance was bolstered by strong finishes from fellow runners, with Ryan Thompson placing sixth in the state with a time of 17:05 and Aaron Walls finishing ninth at 17:34. Both earned All-State honors, and Walls achieved this distinction for the third time.

Other notable performances included Brody Gresset, who finished 15th, just shy of All-State recognition, and additional contributions from Sawyer Windham (20th, 18:05), Stone Berg (35th, 18:34), and Owen Allen (48th, 19:02). Shelly remarked, “There were a few surprises. Foster ran faster than any time in his life.”

As they look forward to the next season, Walton expressed confidence in his teammates, particularly in Thompson, who excelled as a sophomore. “Ryan was second on the team this season as a 10th grader. He’ll continue to succeed as long as he continues to work hard,” Walton stated. Coach Shelly echoed this sentiment, indicating that Thompson’s dedication during the off-season positions him as a key player for the upcoming year.

In addition to the boys’ team success, the West Lauderdale girls’ team also performed admirably, placing third in the Class 4A State meet with an average finish time of 22:02 and a total of 83 points. Two runners, Jordan Shields (6th, 20:59) and Maggie Graham (10th, 21:53), earned All-State honors, showcasing the depth of talent within the program.

As the Knights celebrate their achievements, Coach Shelly remains focused on continuous improvement. He noted, “Winning three consecutive state titles shows the rest of the state what our team can accomplish, but it shouldn’t put additional pressure on our runners in 2026. Every runner on this team has made a difference this year.” With a solid foundation and strong leadership, the West Lauderdale cross country teams are poised for another successful season ahead.