Clinton runners gear up for Class AA state sectionals
Clinton’s Alli Hollifield placed second in the 1,600-meter run with a time of 6:30.80 at the Dead End Meet on Thursday, May 1, at West High School.
But as they prepare for the Class AA state sectional championships on Saturday at the University of Tennessee’s Tom Black Track in Knoxville, Coach Tim Kumes knows the challenge only intensifies from here.
“I hope these kids realize the kind of work they’re going to have to put in this week,” Kumes said. “It’s one thing to get to sectionals, but the state is a whole different level.
“Not everybody can be an all-star,” he said. “The ones who are, are the ones who put the work in. Our kids are doing well. We have 12 athletes and both of our 4x100-meter relay teams qualified for sectionals.”
In their final contest of the regular season, the Dragons and Lady Dragons posted strong results at the Dead End Meet, held Thursday at West High School in Knoxville.
Lucas Butz led the Dragons with a pair of runner-up finishes, placing second in both the 110-meter hurdles (15.31 seconds) and 300-meter hurdles (40.98).
For the Lady Dragons, Ashley Alcott placed third in the 100-meter hurdles (19.77), fifth in the 300-meter hurdles (59.03), and 10th in the long jump (12-9.75).
Maliyah Drake finished ninth in the long jump (13-2.25), and Chalandra Ellis was eighth in the discus (66-8.5).
On Tuesday, April 29, Donnavin Pencek had a standout meet, sweeping the sprints. He won the 100-meter dash (11.23), the 200 (23.21), and the 400 (53.61). He also finished second in the long jump (20-0).
Bryson Maddox won both the high jump (6-0) and the long jump (21-5) and placed second in the 100 (11.27). Cooper Bostrom was third in the 1,600 (5:15.14) and fifth in the 800 (2:27.50).
The Lady Dragons had five Top 10 finishers in the 100. Laci Clevenger won the event (13.19), followed by Saviah Stewart (13.20), Drake (fourth, 13.43), Alcott (ninth, 14.58), and Ryleigh White (10th, 14.71).
Clevenger and Stewart also finished first and second, respectively, in the 200. Drake was fourth and White ninth. In the 400, Clevenger took fourth and Drake fifth.
In field events, Drake and Alcott tied for third in the long jump (13-11). Alcott also took fourth in the 100 hurdles and second in the 300 hurdles.
Alli Hollifield placed second in the 1,600 (6:30.80) and fifth in the 800 (2:55.71). Kenzlee Hutchison scored in three events, placing second in the discus (68-11), third in the shot put (28-9), and sixth in the 800 (3:06.70).
Sadie Haney won the 100 hurdles (16.43) and was second in the long jump (14-8.5). Ellis added a fourth-place discus finish (62-8), and Hannah Whittley took fourth in the shot put (23-8).
