Night moves for Mavs
-
Anderson County freshman Ella Tyler keeps pace during the East Tennessee Classic x Pace House cross country meet Saturday, Sept. 26, at Victor Ashe Park. Tyler led all Lady Mavericks, racing to a second-place finish in 19 minutes, 35.1 seconds. - Tony Cox
-
Anderson County’s JJ Cutler races through the darkness during the East Tennessee Classic x Pace House night race Saturday, Sept. 26, at Victor Ashe Park in Knoxville. Cutler led the Mavericks with an 18th-place finish, covering the course in 16 minutes, 54.4 seconds. - Tony Cox
A rare evening cross country meet at Victor Ashe Park left Anderson County’s head coach pleased with how both of his teams performed at the East Tennessee Classic x Pace House 2026.
“It went really well — it was a great outing for the Mavericks. We had some PRs (personal bests); we had a lot of personal bests, both in times and racing,” Mavericks Coach Harrison Calhoun said.
“I was really proud of how competitive some of our kids were,” he added. “It was a night race, so this is kind of a new environment for us. Luckily, the weather worked with us Saturday night. It was nice and cool, a beautiful night.
“I was really impressed with how we did. It put me in a good mood.”
Freshman Ella Tyler led the Lady Mavericks with a second-place finish in 19 minutes, 35.10 seconds, while junior Jordan Walker claimed eighth in 20:26.20.
“The night is definitely a more fun aspect to the race,” Tyler said. “The course is lit with lights, but it’s still dark, and then all the teams have nice glow sticks and stuff, so it makes it more fun.”
As for her season, Tyler said she has exceeded her own expectations.
“I am pleasantly surprised how I’ve been doing,” she said. “I didn’t really know what to expect going into high school for the 5K race.”
Calhoun also praised Daisy Dyer, who finished 53rd in a personal-best 23:12.70.
“Daisy Dyer, our number three, I know she had a personal best,” Calhoun said.
Jenna Meadors finished 95th, while Emma Owens took 101st.
“Really just solid performances,” Calhoun said.
Anderson County’s girls finished eighth in the team standings.
Cameron Hardy paced the Anderson County boys with a third-place finish in 16:04.80.
John Cutler finished 18th in 16:54.40, while Rylan Vanlandingham placed 125th.
The Mavericks finished 14th as a team.
Calhoun said the unusual atmosphere surrounding the night race may have helped his runners relax.
“I think it was a confidence booster,” he said, adding that because the race was in the evening, “I think the kids were less nervous about the races. … Mentally, I think that’s good.”
