Track titans: Laster, Oak Ridge relays star at Vol Classic
Vance Laster won the steeplechase race at the 2025 Volunteer Track Classic with a time of 6:22.48. The 2,000- meter race comprises 18 hurdle jumps and five water jumps with a sprint to the finish.
Anderson County High School’s Vance Laster won the boys 2,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 6 minutes, 22.48 seconds. Teammate Luke Dark placed fifth in the shot put with a throw of 55 feet, 3 inches.
Mavericks Assistant Coach Harrison Calhoun praised Laster’s performance at the elite meet.
“Vance is one of the greatest athletes I’ve ever coached and one of the fastest runners to come through Anderson County,” Calhoun said. “With just a couple of weeks of hurdle training and only his second steeplechase, he broke his personal best and the school record by over 10 seconds.”
Ava Moody took second in the girls 1,600-meter run with a time of 5:06.97. Anderson County’s boys 4x400-meter relay team also had a Top 10 finish, placing eighth in 3:36.20.
“In addition to winning the steeplechase, Vance ran on the 4x400 and helped us climb back into the top three mid-race, setting a new school record in the process,” Calhoun added. “I’m incredibly proud of all he’s accomplished at Anderson County and excited for his future at LMU this fall.”
Oak Ridge High School also had strong results at the prestigious meet, which featured top teams from across the country.
Lily Tice placed fourth in the girls 2,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 8:29.46. The Lady Wildcats’ 4x800-meter relay team claimed a championship in 9:41.05, while the distance medley relay squad took third (13:12.92).
On the boys’ side, Oak Ridge’s Mason Greenhalgh was runner-up in the 800-meter run (1:56.58).
The Wildcats also finished third in both the boys 4x800 (8:06.36) and distance medley relays (10:32.88).
