Track and field programs across Baldwin County turned in an impressive weekend across multiple classifications at AHSAA sectional meets, turning in a host of champions, state qualifiers and a team title as all eyes turn to Gulf Shores.

The top five finishers in each event earn automatic bids to the state meet.

In Class 4A, Orange Beach finished as the boys runner-up in Section 1 behind a dominant showing from its distance and field athletes. Bailey Brizendine captured the girls discus title, while Anthony Hawkins swept the boys' high jump and 110-meter hurdles.

Aaron Tierce added wins in both the 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs. The Makos also saw runner-up finishes from Marianna Peters in the girls discus and Mac Peters in the boys discus. Brooke Barnett finished fourth in the girls 3,200-meter, Sam Fetner took fifth place in discus and Mia Watts added another fifth-place in the girls discus final to advance as well.

St. Michael Catholic added to the county's 4A success with multiple champions. Caroline Geary and Addison Silvernail shared the girls pole vault title, Brent Acker won the boys 400 meters and placed second in both the 100 and 200, and Emily Friedel claimed the girls 3,200 title while finishing runner-up in the 800 and 1,600.

Eli Navarre won the boys pole vault, while Franklin Kasch took fourth in the boys 800-meter. The boys 4x400 relay team also secured state spots.

In Class 5A, Bayside Academy swept runner-up finishes in both the boys and girls team standings in Section 1 and produced one of the county's deepest groups of qualifiers. Section champions included Owen Reineck (shot put), Stella Parks (long jump, 100-meter hurdles and 300-meter hurdles), Jack Koch (110-meter hurdles and 300-meter hurdles), Avery Therrell (800-meter and 1,600-meter), Shelby Fargason (3,200-meter) and the girls 4x800 relay team.

The Admirals added a long list of runner-up finishes as well and additional top-five placers across distance, field and relay events.

Elberta also advanced several athletes in 5A, led by John Zirlott's win in the boys 800 meters and Sam Smith's high jump title. The Warriors added multiple third-, fourth- and fifth-place finishes, including Caroline Soesbe taking bronze in the 800-meter and 1,600-meter.

In Class 6A, Gulf Shores placed fourth in the boys standings and fifth in the girls standings in Section 1. Matt Howe won the boys pole vault, while Tevonna Campbell claimed the girls 200-meter title and finished runner-up in the 100. Daniel Foster (second in shot put) and Harrison Wright (second in 800-meter) added runner-up finishes, with several others contributing with qualifying times or distances.

Spanish Fort and Baldwin County also saw athletes advance in 6A, highlighted by runner-up finishes from Toros Sara Arnold (shot put) and Blaine Boone (high jump). Janariah Sledge took runner-up for the Tigers in the girls 400-meter and fifth in the 200-meter while Gavin Brandt represented the boys side with a fourth-place finish in the 800-meter and fifth in the 1,600.

As mentioned, there was one program that took home Section 1 gold — and that was the Fairhope Pirate girls with a 32-point win. The Pirates produced multiple sectional champions, including Nylah Loukides (shot put), Ian Brown (3,200-meter), Zoe Suntych (100-meter hurdles) and Takiera McCovery (200-meter and 400-meter). The Fairhope boys finished seventh in the final standings, but the Pirates will have several other athletes competing at state as well. Class 7A featured another strong showing across the county.

Daphne's boys 4x400 relay team finished second, while the Trojans' girls 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams captured sectional titles. Individually, Latron Valrie (second in 100 and 400, third in 200) and Aleecia Harris (second in 100) led the way, with multiple relay contributors and field athletes advancing to Gulf Shores alongside them.

Foley was powered by a pair of double-event champions, as Rashad Jones swept the discus and javelin while Rashaud Robertson won the 100 and 200-meter dashes. The Lions added several runner-up and top-five finishes, including Nyla Harrison taking second in girls discus and Jakobe Williams finishing runner-up in 110-meter hurdles.

Robertsdale rounded out the county's 7A qualifiers with Laila Cooper winning the 1,600-meter run and finishing second in the 800. The Golden Bears added multiple podium finishes, including a third-place 4x400 relay team.

The state tournament is set for April 30-May 2 at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex.