AHS’ Nall takes 5th in heptatholon

By OANow Staff

Published: May 13, 2008

Staff Reports

HOOVER — Auburn High’s Mary Ashton Nall secured her spot as one of the state’s top track athletes.

Nall finished fifth in the state’s heptathlon which wrapped up Tuesday in Hoover. The finish allowed her to capture All-State honors in the event.

Her high finish was helped by a first-place finish in the 800m with a time of 2:21.

On the boys side, Beauregard’s John Ware finished in a tie for eighth in the decathlon along with Smiths Station’s T.J. Hogan.

Nall, Ware and Hogan weren’t the only local athletes competing in Hoover.

In the heptathlon, Auburn was represented by Rachel Williams, Brianna Lockhart, Haley Davies and Julie Cleveland. Smiths Station was represented by Renee Usher and Shannon Stokes.

In the decathalon, Auburn was led by Daniel Davis, who finished 13th. Other Auburn boys competing were Desmond Purter, DJ Holley, Matt Smith, Elgerando Williams, Billy Woolard and Jerron Brown.

Smiths Station had Josh Nelson competing along with Hogan, while Willis Fields competed for Beauregard. Curtis Hoyne competed for Central-Phenix City.

Former Smiths Station star signs with New York Giants
The New York Giants already have a local connection with Auburn High grad Osi Umenyiora.

Add former Smiths Station standout Terrance Stringer to that list.

Stringer, a defensive back at Tuskegee, signed a two-year deal with the defending Super Bowl champs on May 10.

“If anyone deserves this opportunity, it’s Stringer. He worked hard for this,” said Tuskegee coach Willie Slater in a press release from the school. “Stringer’s intelligence makes him stand out on the field.”

During Stringer’s career at Tuskegee, the Golden Tigers won 43 of 48 games, including two Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships, four Pioneer Bowls and a perfect 12-0 season in 2007, resulting in a Black college national championship.

Stringer signed with Tuskegee as a quarterback, but quickly moved to the defensive backfield in 2005.

He recorded 64 unassisted tackles, 44 assisted tackles, 4.5 tackles for 20 yards in losses, had two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery for 51 yards, two interceptions and broke up nine passes during his Tuskegee career.

Stringer also started for three years on Tuskegee’s baseball team.

At Smiths Station, Stringer was a standout on the football and baseball fields for the Panthers.

“I’d like to thank God for the opportunity,” Stringer said in the press release. “I’m also glad to have the opportunity to emphasize the fact that an athlete from a Division II school can compete at such an elite level.”