Henry Ruggs ran a 10.53 hundred meters.

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Alabama football signee Henry Ruggs is just trying to finish his high school athletic career strong this weekend at the Class 4A-7A state track meet in Gulf Shores.

So far, so good after Day 1.

The Robert E. Lee standout recorded the top time in the Class 7A 100-meter heats on Thursday, running it in 10.77 on a windy day marred by several rain delays.

“It wasn’t great,” Ruggs said. “I got kind of a slow start, but I’ll take it.”

He said the wind and the delays made the day difficult. The start of the meet was pushed back until noon due to heavy overnight rain in the area. It was then delayed for another hour by a storm right as the 100-meter heats started.

“Both were a factor,” he said. “Obviously, the wind holds you back. But the break also is tough because you want to get something to eat before you run, but you really can’t. Still, you don’t want to starve yourself. It’s kind of just part of it.”

The 100-meter final is scheduled for 10:10 a.m. on Saturday. Other qualifiers Thursday included Karon Delince of Central-Phenix City (11.08) and Auburn football signee Noah Igbinoghene of Hewitt-Trussville (11.16). Ruggs also will be part of Lee’s 4X100 relay team on Saturday.

A 6-foot, 175-pound wide receiver for the Generals, Ruggs caught 38 passes for 664 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior. He also played some quarterback and earned Class 7A Back of the Year honors. He will have little time to rest following his high school graduation.

He reports to Alabama on May 31.

“I’m excited to start,” he said. “I’m ready to get in school, get used to everything and get to know everyone on campus. I can’t wait to get there.”

Ruggs should be another piece to an already talented Alabama wide receiver group, but he said his first-year goals are realistic.

“I just get into the flow of the things, adapt to school and do the best I can to get into the rotation,” he said. “We’ll see what happens from there.”

Ruggs was the second-ranked 2017 prospect in the state, according to the 247 composite rankings behind only five-star defensive end LaBryan Ray, also an Alabama signee.

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