Tyler, Hardy lead Mavericks at state
Anderson County freshman Ella Tyler sets the pace during The Mounds cross-country meet in Oak Ridge in September. Tyler capped an outstanding debut season with a runner-up finish in the TSSAA Class AA state championship meet Friday, Nov. 6, at Shelby Farms Park in Memphis, clocking a time of 18 minutes, 51.99 seconds. (photo:Tony Cox )
Tyler held the lead at times down the stretch, but the sensational freshman fell just 2.09 seconds short of claiming the individual state title. She capped an outstanding debut season with a runner-up finish in 18 minutes, 51.99 seconds.
“I would not call it a photo finish, but in cross-country, it is pretty dang close,” ACHS Coach Harrison Calhoun said. “She had the lead when you’re going down the straightaway for the finish line. But there was just enough space left where that girl got ahead of her (Chaiti Ainpure of Liberty Creek, 18:49.90) and put some distance on her.”
Despite narrowly missing the championship, Tyler has three more opportunities to capture a state title during her high school career.
“I mean, you’re blown away that a freshman that you taught in eighth grade steps out onto the state course and does so well,” Calhoun said. “You’re just amazed.”
Tyler wasn’t the only Anderson County runner to turn in an impressive performance as the Mavericks and Lady Mavericks enjoyed a successful trip to the state meet.
The Lady Mavericks finished sixth as a team with 211 points. Junior Jordan Walker joined Tyler among the team’s leaders, placing 16th in 19:58.10.
The Anderson County boys finished 12th with 302 points, led by senior Cameron Hardy, who raced to third place in 15:43.90. Fellow senior John “J.J.” Cutler placed 16th in 16:44.90, narrowly missing a medal.
Hardy’s performance was particularly rewarding for Calhoun, who watched the senior overcome injuries and setbacks throughout his high school career.
“If you look at his career as a whole, he started as a really promising freshman, a lot of talent, a lot of enthusiasm — but really had some hard times, as a sophomore and junior, especially his sophomore year, because that was when he really started to get hurt,” Calhoun said.
“And he’s had to overcome so much, at different times during his high school career,” he added. “At state last year, he was like 30th place, that’s how much he’s improved.”
Cutler also earned praise from his coach after finishing just one position shy of a medal.
“Really proud of what he has done and his story and his journey,” Calhoun said. “He was 16th and he was just one place away from getting a medal. And I hate that that happened.”
Other top
ACHS finishes
Other Lady Mavericks competing at state included freshman Jenna Meadors, who finished 52nd in 22:02.30; freshman Daisy Dyer, 79th in 23:03.40; sophomore Rachel Garbes, 119th in 24:40.83; sophomore Lily Franklin, 124th in 24:47.40; and sophomore Charley Sparks, 134th in 25:18.10.
Other Anderson County boys finishers were sophomore Rylan Vanlandingham, 87th in 18:37.00; freshman Christian Wolfley, 129th in 19:21.89; senior Tanner Warman, 132nd in 19:27.83; sophomore Benson Skidmore, 159th in 20:26.70; and junior Avian Laster, 162nd in 20:38.20.
Calhoun was pleased with the efforts of Wolfley and Vanlandingham, who helped anchor the Mavericks’ lineup.
“Christian really, really stepped up at state,” Calhoun said. “And then Rylan has remained our No. 3 position (on the boys’ team). He has been No. 3 through thick and thin.”