The Spring Valley Taco Bell Girl's Champions are (clockwise from lower right) Tineshia Moten, Shannese Greenaway, Ashley Drayton, Breanna Jones, Shalyn McMichael, Megan Fulks, Lea Doster, Sabrina Vaugh, and Alexia Hall.

In the past, the Spring Valley Vikings boys’ teams had claimed top spot in the TACO BELL Track and Field Classic. However, this past Saturday on their home track it was the girls in green and gold who came through to take the prime place, outscoring Redan High School of Stone Mountain, GA, 63-57. In third was Smith’s Station (AL) while Ridge View finished fourth. There were more teams in the event than scored. Of all the entries, only 48 garnered at least one point.

Spring Valley’s Kate Niehaus wins two big events as Lady Vikings win TACO BELL title. Kate Niehaus, a Lady Vikings junior, took first place in two distance events. Niehaus, the current indoor two–mile national record holder, ran against the wind to cover the one–mile in 5:13:06 then took top place in the 3200m with a time of 10:53.95.

Niehaus and teammates Tinesha Moten, Shannese Greenaway, Ashley Drayton, Breanna Jones, Shalyn McMichael, Megan Fulks, Leah Doster, Sabrina Vaughn, and Alexia Hall grabbed key numbers to help lift SVHS to the top.

Hall’s long jump, which was good for three points, locked up the title. Jones competed in the maximum four events, running in the 100 and 400 high hurdles, as well as the 400 and 1600m relays with sufficient points to boost the team.

Ridge View’s best efforts came from Jessica Young, winner of the 200 and 400 dashes, and Shantrell Jenkins, second place in the 100–meter dash.

In the boys’ competition, Redan claimed the top rung by a margin of 57 to 46 over Ridge View. Spring Valley amassed 41 points for third.

Ridge View’s Aubrey Darnell pulled away on the final leg of the 3200 m to edge Nickolas Lapley of Mountain Brook (AL) High School. Blazers Jonathan Bakutes, Cornelius Harvin, and Richard Williams ran the first three legs to set the table for Darnell’s dramatic finish.

One of Spring Valley’s best showings was when Kenny Stephens had a winning throw of 51’9” in the shot put event. Shaquille Smith was third in the high jump at 6’2”. Darian Hodges took second place in the 800.