Led by Adrian Crawford’s state championships in the high jump and triple jump, and another state title from Keaten Brown in the discus, the Union City boys’ program posted a best-ever Class 1A runner-up finish Tuesday to kick off Spring Fling in Murfreesboro in grand fashion.
School Communications Director Mike Hutchens said the Tornadoes finished with 72 points, trailing only Memphis East with 110, in the final Single-A standings that saw 44 schools score points.
Crawford won the high jump by clearing 6-4, then took first place in the triple jump with a leap of 44-2. He joined Wright Jernigan as only the second Union City High School track and field performer to win multiple state titles in the same season.
Brown put his name in the Purple and Gold record book in dramatic fashion.
Sitting in second place heading into his last throw, the Tornado senior threw a career-best 146-2 to end his prep athletic career in storybook fashion and win the discus after placing second last year.
“My heart kinda skipped a beat when I was waiting for them to call out the distance,” Brown smiled afterward. “I knew I had to put it all out there because it was the last time I was ever going to throw in a competitive situation. I can’t have any better memory than that.”
Maddox added: “Keaten’s worked really hard and has put in the extra time. When he looks back at his high school career, he’s going to see some very impressive things he’s accomplished.
“Crawford’s story is one of when ability combines with competitiveness. When that happens, these are the results you get.”
Union City also racked up points with Kameron Shade, who was second in the 200 meters and third in the 100 meters. Brown was third in the shot, and sophomore teammate Aiden Reid placed fourth.
The 4×800 relay team (Maliki Brooks, Owen Waggoner, Andrew Beard, and Woodrow McKinnis was fifth, and the 4×400 team of Brooks, Shade, Andre Small, and Crawford came in fourth.
(photos: Mike Hutchens – School Communications Director)
