Recently the Hamilton City Council recognized two different youth sports teams, with both teams being greeted by applause and having their photos taken with the council members on Nov. 18.
The first team to appear was the Hamilton Aggies Boys’ Cross Country Team, which won the 2024 AHSAA State Championship on Nov. 9. The news of the win first appeared in the Journal-Record on Nov. 20, with a front page photo and more photos and information inside the edition.
Hamilton Mayor Bob Page said he was excited to have the XC team at the meeting.
“We’re tickled to have our cross country guys with us who brought this trophy home from a meet,” he said. “This is getting to be a habit. I like this habit. I can’t say enough about you guys.”
Coach Scotty Sanderson thanked the council for everything they do for the track team, the cross country team and for all the local youth.
“You go above and beyond to help our local kids,” Sanderson said. “And they really do appreciate it. The parents appreciate it, and the community appreciates it. Without you all, it wouldn’t be possible.”
In his newspaper article, Sanderson had noted the XC team had trained on their own during the summer, running all season as a group.
He also reminded those present this makes the sixth state cross country championship for Hamilton. “We won five in a row from 1987 to 1991,” he said. “This was a big one to win. We were told by AHSAA that this is the first time a public school has won the 4A boys’ cross country state championship since 2016. It’s been a private school nearly every year. This is the first one for a public school in eight years.”
The mayor said, “This is just fantastic. I’m so proud of you guys. We’re thrilled to see this trophy sitting here tonight. I know it means a lot to you, because you earned it. And that says it all to me--dedication. I’m seeing guys here that will carry that dedication forward in their lifetime. If you learn how to run, it trains you in so many areas you don’t even realize yet.”
A remark was made that “no team succeeds without a good leader.”
Sanderson responded, “There’s more than just me behind this. It couldn’t be done without a lot of other people pitching in and helping--especially in track, because it takes an army to do this. I’ve told people this over and over. I don’t know of a single school that has won a state championship in track where it’s one guy or girl coaching that team. There are so many things in track. It takes a lot of people. It’s not just me. Trust me. There’s an army of people who help--all the way down to our booster club.”
In closing the cross country state win portion, the mayor noted, “Parents, you are to be commended for following these kids everywhere they go and supporting them. We appreciate that very much. As you know, the city is in support of our sports in Hamilton.”
The mayor said he believe sports is a good thing to help keep local youths’ attention off of bad things, and is not only good for young people’s physical health, but also their mental health. “It helps keep them straight,” he said.
Regarding the other team present, the Hamilton Parks & Recreation Department’s 12U Soccer All-Stars had just returned from their first state tournament in Dothan and triumphantly entered the council chambers with a gigantic trophy awarded to them for sportsmanship.
Most of the story about the team’s tournament appearance is on page 12 in the sports section, but we wanted to include more here, along with the photo taken of them at the council meeting.
We understand sportsmanship trophies like this one are not awarded by accident, but only after showing tremendous dedication and acting with considerate and superior sportsmanlike conduct does a team earn the right to take this trophy home.
Coach Scott Hunt remarked on the great job head coach Rudy Llanas did during the season and in getting the players ready for the tournament. He noted the team did a great job playing against many older athletes, as well as participating as the only co-ed team in their division, while competing with different rules, field sizes and goal sizes.
“It was a big adjustment, but they had a good time. They were great teammates,” he said.
Hunt noted all the youth played “amazingly well,” with the players, the coaches and the parents recognized by officials and catching their eyes early in the tournament.
“They obviously showed themselves well to the officials at Dothan,” he said. “They came up to us during our second game and were bragging on the way our kids had been acting and behaving, and that’s why they chose us for the sportsmanship trophy. And we ended up being second in our division, so that’s a pretty big accomplishment for our first time.”
Park & Rec Director Tim Kerr told us he was not surprised by the big trophy win for sportsmanship. He mentioned his department tries to incorporate sportsmanship into its rec leagues from the beginning. He also said this All-Star team “is just a great group of kids.”
We ourselves noticed many of the team members are second generation athletes, with former standout players among them.
“A lot has to do with the parents,” Kerr agreed. “This is also a good group of parents.”
Councilor Sherry Armstrong remarked on the youth’s demeanor at the council meeting. “They are very well behaved,” she noted.
Page concluded, “Parents, congratulations to all of you who have raised these fine children. We’re thrilled to see them accomplish what they’ve done at such a young age. Their future is just ahead of them, and we look forward to seeing them all in this room again.”
We are extremely proud of both of these teams, all the players and coaches, and all the parents, grandparents, siblings and other supporters, as well as the city for recognizing and applauding these accomplishments. “Go Teams!”
See complete story in the Journal Record.
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