Hoover High Claims AHSAA 7A Boys Track Crown in Cullman

CULLMAN, Ala. -- Hoover High School captured the AHSAA Class 7A boys track and field state championship by dominating the closing events at the state meet in Cullman. The Bucs overcame early deficits with standout relay performances, including a blistering 4x100-meter relay that showcased their speed and handoffs, as captured in MileSplit footage. This victory, first reported by WAKA Action 8 News, highlights Hoover's depth in sprints and field events at the outdoor competition hosted in north Alabama's Wallace State Community College facilities. Key to the triumph was Hoover's relay squads, with the boys' 4x100 team earning state champ status in a photo-finish effort documented by AL MileSplit. While exact point totals remain unconfirmed in initial reports, the team's control of finals propelled them past competitors like defending squads from prior years. Local context underscores Cullman's role as a track hub, drawing top talent from Birmingham metro powerhouses including Hoover, just 40 miles south. Hoover's program builds on a tradition of excellence, distinct from their recent basketball setbacks where Tuscaloosa County dethroned them 65-54 in the March 7, 2026, title game at Birmingham's Legacy Arena. Track coach's strategies emphasized late-meet surges, mirroring indoor successes like the 2026 AHSAA Indoor Championships at the Birmingham CrossPlex on Jan. 31. Athletes from Vestavia Hills and James Clemens pushed hard, but Hoover's final-event sweep clinched the hardware. The championship adds to Alabama high school sports lore, with Hoover joining elite 7A programs amid the AHSAA's 2026 spring slate. Fans packed the Cullman venue, celebrating a win that boosts morale ahead of summer training for national meets.