Butz, Haney leap competition to win at Webb

April 30, 2025 by Ken Lay

As the 2025 high school track and field season nears its home stretch, Clinton High School Coach Tim Kumes is excited about his athletes and their postseason potential.

One of Clinton’s standouts, senior hurdler Lucas Butz, has already qualified for the state sectional championships at the University of Tennessee’s Tom Black Track in Knoxville.

He’s aiming for a return trip to Murfreesboro and the Spring Fling after becoming the first Clinton athlete in recent memory to qualify for the state championships.

At the Dragons’ most recent meet — the Spartan Challenge hosted by Webb School of Knoxville on Tuesday, April 22 — Butz captured victories in both the 110-meter and 300-meter hurdles. He finished the 110 hurdles in 15.74 seconds and overcame a late deficit to win the 300 hurdles in 42.11 seconds.

“Lucas had a wonderful race in the 300 hurdles,” Kumes said. “He was a half-step behind, and the guy in first had a hard time clearing the last hurdle, so Lucas was able to overtake him and win.”

Senior Donnavin Pencek also had a strong day, recording three Top 10 finishes. He placed fourth in the 100-meter dash (11.64) and fifth in the 200-meter dash (23.54), while also finishing seventh in the long jump with a leap of 18 feet, 6.25 inches.

“Donnavin is working hard and focusing on track,” Kumes said. “Some of our football players are missing track for spring practice because we have a new football staff and they don’t want to fall behind in learning the schemes.

“In past years, Donnavin would’ve been one of those guys, but now, since he’s a senior, he doesn’t have to worry about that,” he said.

Cooper Bostrom finished ninth in the 1,600-meter run, posting a time of 5 minutes, 3.28 seconds.

For the Lady Dragons, Sadie Haney won the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 16.68 seconds. She also placed third in the triple jump (30-7.25) and finished sixth in the long jump (13-8.5).

Ashleigh Alcott finished fourth in the 300-meter hurdles (1:02.24) and fifth in the 100-meter hurdles (25.72).

Laci Clevenger notched a pair of fifth-place finishes, running the 200-meter dash in 28.30 seconds and the 400-meter dash in 1:05.56. Saviah Stewart took seventh in the 100-meter dash (28.38), and Clinton’s 4x100-meter relay team finished second (53.29 seconds).

In field events, Maliyah Drake finished ninth in the long jump (12-1.5), and Alli Hollifield placed seventh in the 1,600-meter run (6:05.28) and 10th in the long jump (11-10).

In the shot put, Kenzlee Hutchison claimed third (29-3), Hannah Whittley finished sixth (24-8), and Chalandra Ellis placed ninth (20-7).

Ellis also earned sixth- place in the discus, with a throw of 62-0.