American Christian Academy's Joy Griffith's rise from 1A contender to one of the state's premier athletes in any division has been meteoric. After her second-place finish at the Jesse Owens Classic landed her on the forefront of the state's running stage, Griffith continues to surprise track enthusiasts.
Since the end of cross country season, Griffith has compiled an impressive set of records. In early December, she set the Alabama 5K road race record for 18 year old women at 17:46. In the 2003 indoor season, she established a new all-time mark for females in the 3200m run, becoming the first Alabama runner to run below 11:00 for the distance (10:59.80). The same weekend she also won the 1A-4A 800m and 1600m runs. The day after the state meet, Joy set two more state records at the Winter Winds road race in Huntsville, finishing the two mile course in 11:34 to become the new state record holder regardless of age, and just minutes later completed the four mile race in 24:39.
Joy continues to test her body's limits (which may or may not even exist) as she competes for three state championships in Class 1A, a chance set every 1A distance record, and the distinctions of being Alabama's fastest female distance runner in 2003 and perhaps the fastest ever. Her case continues to grow stronger.
After graduating from ACA, she will head to Starkville, Mississippi, to attend Mississippi State University on academic scholarship and compete for the Bulldog track and cross country teams.