High School Cross Country

Coach Hannah Warren   warrenhl@etsu.edu
Coach Kim Summey        summeyk@etsu.edu   

20-21 Cross County Schedule for University High School  

8/14    Sat      Dog Days Preseason                   Knoxville, TN                           

8/21    Sat       Pioneer Clash of the Classes      Boone, NC                             

8/28   Sat      Run for the Hills                          Bristol, TN                                

9/4      Sat       Victor Ashe Fall Classic               Knoxville, TN                           

9/11 Sat     Walters State                             Morristown, TN 

9/18*  Sat       Fender’s Farm Carnival               Jonesborough, TN                  

9/25* Sat       Bristol Cross                                    Bristol, TN                              

10/9    Sat      Trailblazer                                       Gray, TN                                 

10/26  Thu      Region 1 Championships            Gray, TN                                   

11/5    Fri        TSSAA State Championship        Hendersonville, TN  

Congratulations to UH Cross-Country and Track student-athlete Isabelle Johnson for signing to continue her academic and athletic career at Tusculum University.    

Isabelle has been a standout runner throughout her high school career, consistently qualifying for the Tennessee State Championships in both cross country and track & field, having multiple podium-finishes during her time at University School.  She is a four-time State Championship qualifier in cross country and a two-time State Championship qualifier in track & field.  In addition, Isabelle won the 2019 Region 1 Small School Championship. “Isabelle gives her all at every race,” said University School Cross-Country Coach Kim Summey.  “I am proud of her efforts and excited to see her accomplishments as she continues her running career at the next level.”  

Congratulations to University High School Cross Country runners, Isabelle Johnson and Braden Williams, for their performance in the TSSAA State Cross Country Championship.  Braden finished 46th with a time of 17:58.1 and Isabelle finished 78th with a time 22:41.56.  Meet results can be found on the TennesseeRunner website. The following article and the banner photo was printed in the Johnson City Press:

Volunteer boys place sixth in Class A-AA XC
Tanner Cook
Nov 5, 2021
 

HENDERSONVILLE — The girls were the stars of the show again on Friday at the TSSAA Class A-AA state cross country meet at Sanders Ferry Park.

The top 15 in each race earned all-state honors.

Tennessee High junior Zoe Arrington was the highest local finisher for either the boys or girls as she covered the rolling 5-kilometer course in 19:27.5, which was good enough for seventh overall.


The Lady Vikings finished 10th overall as a team with 331 points.

   
“Considering all that I went through, I’m glad I didn’t shy away from the season,” Arrington said. “I kept going when I could’ve quit and I’m proud of myself for that. I did have big goals for this season and to not meet them is disappointing, but it fuels the fire for next year.”

 
Sullivan East’s Mandy Lowery finished with honors as well, crossing in 11th with a time of 20:06.6. Lowery has been on the tough end of not making it to state in her career, but she was able to finish off her senior year of cross country with a bang.

“I was fighting for my life at the start and before we even got a quarter of the way in, I ate it,” Lowery said. “It took me a minute to recover from that.

“It’s super-exciting to be all-state and I don’t really know if it’s registered yet.”

Volunteer’s Jacie Begley also had a good finish, placing 25th with a time of 20:57.5. She helped lead the Lady Falcons to a 15th-place finish.

Murfreesboro Central Magnet’s Samantha Ouellette won the individual title with a time of 18:31.3.


“The girls finished 15th out of the 32 teams entered and I was pretty pleased,” legendary Volunteer coach Jim Ailshie said. “That’s quite an accomplishment and Jacie Begley had a personal best in the race by over 30 seconds.”

Central Magnet also won the team title, prevailing by three points (55-58) over defending champion Signal Mountain.

VOLUNTEER BOYS PLACE HIGH
The Volunteer boys placed sixth overall, the highest finish for any local team in any division over the two-day state event.

The Falcons netted 220 points and were led by Ethyn Council’s 27th-place finish as he crossed the line in 17:31.6. He was the highest local finisher for the boys.

“We had five that came in the top third of the entire field and I would anticipate somewhere in the neighborhood of sixth,” Ailshie said. “For our first time being here and finishing in the top 10 is great. We’re going to keep working and continue to progress.

 
“Overall, I’m extremely pleased with how things went today.”

Cherokee’s Henry Brooks also had a notable high finish, placing 38th with a time of 17:51.9. University High’s Braden Williams crossed the line in 46th with a time of 17:58.1.

Jackson Martin of Creek Wood was the individual champion as he broke away from runner-up Will Douglas (Camden Central) with just over a kilometer to go. Martin’s final time was 15:41.6.

Central Magnet again edged out deffending champion Signal Mountain in the team race, but it was closer on the boys side as Central Magnet only won by two points (74-76). 

Congratulations to our High School Cross Country runners who all had great runs in the Region Championship!  A big congratulations to Isabelle Johnson and Braden Williams who qualified for State!  Go, Bucs!

The following article was printed in the Johsnon City Press:

 

Boone, Crockett repeat at Region 1 XC Champs
Tanner Cook
October 26, 2021
 

 


A gray and blustery Tuesday on the historic Trailblazer 5,000-meter course didn’t seem to bother most runners in the annual Region 1 cross country championships.

Plenty of history was made and the “rag-tag” boys from Gray defended home turf yet again.

In the Class AAA races, the first three teams plus the first five individuals not on one of the qualifiers automatically advanced to next week’s state meet in Hendersonville.


In the Class A-AA races, the first four teams plus five individuals qualified for the big dance.

   

Still without Conner Wingfield, Levi Streeval and Luke Mussard, Daniel Boone’s boys won the Class AAA team title for the sixth consecutive season — and ninth time in the last 10 years — with a low score of 23 points.

 
Boone’s streak is the longest since Science Hill won nine straight from 1998 to 2006.

It was also the 12th overall title for Boone, tying Science Hill for the third most titles all-time in all classifications.

Alex Quackenbush continued his stellar postseason, capturing the individual title with a run of 16:56.4. He became the sixth different Trailblazer to accomplish the feat.

“We’ve got a team full of kids that have heart,” Boone coach Len Jeffers said. “They listen, compete and they want an opportunity. Unfortunately, because of some other issues, they were given that opportunity and they made the most of it.”

The ’Blazers produced four of the race’s first five finishers and had seven runners make the all-region team. Bryson Lewis was runner-up with a time of 17:04.8 while Ashton Sheesley was fourth in 17:08.0 and Griffin Swinehart fifth in 17:18.8. Conner Roberts rounded out Boone’s scoring by placing 11th in 17:51.1.

“I took it out to see if anyone was going to go with me and then 800 meters in, I just went,” Quackenbush said. “I maintained the lead pretty easily, but I really didn’t feel any pressure to do anything different. I just cruised the whole way in.”

Dobyns-Bennett’s Dane Sullins broke up the Boone pack with a third-place finish in 17:06.7. He led the Tribe to a runner-up finish.

Science Hill was the final team qualifier and was led by Owen Johnson’s ninth-place finish (17:49.8).

The individual qualifiers are David Crockett’s Gideon Erwin (7th, 17:26.2), Jefferson County’s Lucas Bales (8th, 17:31.1), Morristown West’s Nick Sexton (12th, 17:56.1) and Brando Resendiz (13th, 18:01.8) and Sevier County’s Alex Ogle (18th, 18:12.5).

 
DUNCAN WINS AGAIN
Science Hill senior Trinny Duncan continued her winning ways by easily taking the regional individual crown. She covered the course in 19:02.6, well ahead of runner-up Kamryn Wingfield of Daniel Boone (19:52.4).

Duncan is the sixth different Lady Hilltopper to win the race and she led her squad to a runner-up finish.

“I was nervous and I really didn’t have a plan going in,” Duncan said. “I just wanted to stay up front and see who’s around. It’s hard for me to believe that this is all happening.”

Wingfield became the highest-placing Lady ’Blazer ever at a regional meet with her second-place showing and helped Boone pick up the final qualifying spot by two points.

The David Crockett Lady Pioneers were victorious on the team side, repeating as champions and winning just the third title in school history with 49 points.

Crockett is the first team outside of D-B, Science Hill and Morristown West to repeat as team champion in the big race since Sullivan Central did so in 1988 and 1989.

The Lady Cougars did that when the race was only one classification.

“This was our goal back in the summer, but for a while, it was looking pretty doubtful,” Crockett coach Mark Jennings said. “We started coming on, starting at Trailblazer, and we never looked back. I’m so proud of the girls.”

Crockett was led by freshman Maggie Bellamy (3rd, 20:03.0) followed by Breanna Dunn (4th, 20:08.6), Ashlynn Roy (8th, 20:34.7), Emily Ward (16th, 21:27.7) and Hannah McLain (18th, 21:45.5).

West Ridge senior Cara Taylor became the first athlete from the new school to qualify for a state championship with her 10th-place finish (20:43.4).

 
“I fell along the tree line along the fence and I was worried I wouldn’t make it,” Taylor said. “It feels great to be the first to qualify. I loved the team this season and they’ve been there for me through so much.

“It feels really good to represent the school.”


The other individual qualifiers include D-B’s Kailee-Ann Conner (6th, 20:23.6), Autumn Headrick (7th, 20:26.9), Emily Siner (13th, 21:10.5) and Morristown West’s Ashlyn Haas (14th, 21:13.0).

A FALCON FIRST
Volunteer came into Tuesday’s race having never won a region team title in either cross country or track & field.

That all changed as the Falcons dominated the Class A-AA race, putting all of its scoring five in the top 15 and tallying 50 points. They were led by Ethyn Council’s runner-up finish as he crossed with a time of 17:42.9.

Council is the highest individual finisher for the Falcons since Todd Skelton won the same race in 2003.

Next for Volunteer was Caleb Greene (10th, 18:28.8) followed by Roman Borghetti-Metz (13th, 18:47.5), Charlie Wilson (14th, 18:49.5) and Evan Glass (15th, 18:51.1).

“It feels great to win the team title,” Council said. “It feels great that we were able to accomplish one of the team goals by the time we all graduate.

“My race was brutal, but I just kept fighting through it and stayed mentally tough.”

The Church Hill crew, coached by local legend Jim Ailshie, beat out Sullivan East by 25 points. Ailshie has been around running for nearly a half-century and has built the Volunteer program from the ground into a contender for a state title.

“It feels awesome to get this one,” Ailshie said. “To see everyone’s progression, it’s truly phenomenal. When I first got to Volunteer five or six years ago, I took a team up to Virginia and we finished 16th out of 16 teams in the boys and 11th out of 11 teams in the girls. Ultimately, it’s the kids who’ve stepped up and I couldn’t be prouder.”

 
Gatlinburg-Pittman’s Sam Fulton — younger brother of 2018 Small Class state champion Emerson — won the region individual title and made it look easy as he traversed the course in 17:12.5.

“I just knew I had to get out in front and I didn’t want to take an easy day,” Fulton said. “It feels great to follow in my brother’s steps. He always pushed me and he still pushes me. I still want to be the better brother, so that still motivates me a lot.”

Elizabethton was third while G-P was fourth and both nabbed tickets to state.

The individual qualifiers were Greeneville’s Morgan Leach (3rd. 17:43.5), Cherokee’s Henry Brooks (4th, 18:00.9), Washburn’s Chandler Dalton (5th, 18:03.5), University’s Braden Williams (6th, 18:04.7) and Pigeon Forge’s Connor Barnes (12th, 18:42.5).

ARRINGTON DOMINATES
Tennessee High junior Zoe Arrington has done a lot of things in her illustrious career so far, but “region cross country champion” was still a missing checkbox.

She not only checked off that box, but she set a meet record for the smaller classification by running 19:16.9 to win the Class A-AA title — which is her fastest time of the season to date.

She beat the previous record held by University High’s Stephanie Davenport in 2008 (19:52.1) and became the first Lady Viking to win the region individual crown since Solange Adams in 2003.

“I feel like my last two miles were a lot stronger than they have been,” Arrington said. “I’ve been fading really bad on the last mile lately. The last mile, especially, felt stronger than what I’ve been doing this season.

“After all I’ve been through this season, it feels good to get that small victory because that means it’s a push in the right direction and I’m on the other side of things.”

 
Arrington led the Lady Vikings to a runner-up position, losing out to Gatlinburg-Pittman by 19 points (52-71).

The Lady Highlanders — competing in Region 1 for the first time in many years — put four runners in the top 20.

Sullivan East’s Mandy Lowery was the first individual qualifier, crossing in second (20:15.8). Lowery gets redemption from last year, when she missed out on a mid-state trip in the Large Schools race by one spot.

“It feels fantastic to get to go to state this year,” Lowery said. “The whole race, I had a smile on my face, knowing that I was going.”

Volunteer was third, clinching a spot in the state meet. The Lady Falcons were led by Jacie Begley’s fourth-place showing (21:30.9).

The other individual qualifiers are Cocke County’s Jenna Pittman (7th, 22:10.6), University High’s Isabelle Johnson (8th, 22:41.1), Elizabethton’s Reaghan Curde (13th, 23:27.6) and Unicoi County’s Marissa Soulier (14th, 23:29.1

Announcements:

Please note that due to the TSSAA Policy on Outdoor Sports Practice during times of extreme heat, Cross Country practice may be cancelled by the coach or Athletic Director.  Please remind athletes to bring a water bottle and to drink plenty of water at school and at home!

Runners - please note that you MUST have a physical and turn in your Emergency Treatment Form  ASAP.  You cannot participate in a meet until these forms are returned

Directions to University School Cross Country Meets

Weyerhaeuser Park (The old Heritage Park) (1st Annual Redskin Rally)

Take Exit 51 (Wilcox Drive)

Go straight at bottom of exit ramp

Continue on Wilcox Drive for 2 miles (you will pass a BP gas station on your left)

Get in the right lane

As soon as you cross a bridge, turn right onto Jared Drive and take immediate right onto Riverport Road

Go 2 miles, complex is on the right

Holston Dam (Run for the Hills Meet)

Take Bristol Highway. Just before Bristol Speedway take right onto 394. Go straight through red light. Stay on 394 (5/6 miles) to second red light. Take right onto 421. Follow signs to Holston Dam.

David Crockett High School (Santo Cicirello Meet)

Take West Market Street out of town towards Jonesborough.  West Market Street becomes Jackson Blvd (2.1 mile).  Turn left onto N Washington Drive (0.2 mile).  Turn right onto W Main St. (0.8 mile).  Continue on Old TN-34 (2.0 mile).  David Crockett will be on your right. 

Daniel Boone High School (Region and Trailblazer)

Take I-181 N to Exit 42. Turn left. The school is a couple miles ahead on the left.

Winged Deer Park

Take Bristol Highway and Winged Deer Park will be on the left.  Take Carroll Creek Road until the boat dock.  The race is to the right of the boat dock and pavilion.

Steele Creek, Bristol (Bristol Cross Meet)

Take Bristol Highway to State Street (in Bristol). Turn left on State Street. Stay on State Street bearing left in front of the Walmart. Go past the K-Mart. Turn left at Taco Bell and CVS. Turn left on 126. Steele Creek Park is one mile ahead.

Warriors Path State Park

Take 1-181 towards Kingsport and take Rock Springs Road exit. After you exit turn right onto Moreland Drive. You will pass Sullivan South High School on your left. Continue on road, crossing straight through red light on Ft. Henry Drive and follow road until you reach park. Follow signs.

VA Meets

Turn into the Veterans Administration (VA) from State of Franklin (across from the Mini-Dome at ETSU)

Victor Ashe Park, Knoxville

From downtown Knoxville, take Western Avenue headed west; after approximately four miles, turn right onto Pleasant Ridge Road; go approximately three miles (before Northwest Middle School) and turn left onto Bradshaw Road; park is on immediate right.

Hagan Stone, Greensboro, NC

From I-40 E towards Greensboro merge onto US-220 S via Exit 218A toward US-220 S/Asheboro/I-85-BR S.  Merge onto I-85 N via Exit 78.  Take the US-421, exit on Exit 126 toward Sanford.  Merge onto US-421 S/Joseph M Hunt Jr Expy via Exit 126A toward Sanford.  Turn right onto Hagan-Stone Park Road.