For the first time in school history, Rockvale Middle School’s boys cross country team headed to Knoxville Oct. 22 to compete in the Tennessee State Championship Cross Country Meet.
The boys varsity team finished 12th overall in the state meet and the junior varsity boys team finished ninth in the state.
"We had two boys qualify last year, but this was our first time as a team," second year head coach Christie Jenkins said.
The boys varsity team helped secure the bid with a fourth place finish at the mid-state championship held Oct. 8 in Macon County.
Both of Rockvale’s boys and girls cross country teams worked hard all season to maintain a high level of speed and endurance as they competed in various races throughout Middle Tennessee, most of which were two miles in length across rough terrain.
“Our goal from the start of the season was to compete (as a team) in the state championship," Jenkins said. "I felt from the beginning that we had the talent to do it, and each week we ran the different courses which posed new challenges for us to keep our speed and endurance at a high level.”
To add to the pressure, the invitation to the state championship is solely based on how the team does at a single event, the state qualifier held at the Macon County High School. Only the top five teams qualify to attend the state championship.
Out of all Rutherford County's middle schools, Rockvale was the only school team to qualify for the state championship meet.
The boy’s varsity team was led by Michael Harris and Nate Martin with seventh and 11th place finishes respectively. The rest of the varsity team helped complete the fourth place team score.
Other varsity members included Donovan Page, Jeremiah Thomopson, Elijah Barritt, Bobby Simpson, Wesley Harris, Zachary Reynolds, Daniel Reisner, and Jared Turney.
Furthermore, the boys varsity team placed second overall for the MSCCA season, with Michael and Nate placing first and third, respectively, as individual runners.
The junior varsity team placed third overall at the state qualifying meet with special recognition going to Colby Stevens with a first place finish at the JV meet.
Austin Lamb, with his eighth place finish, and Austin Williams, with a 13th place finish, helped the JV team be so successful that day as well.
“I am very proud of all Rockvale cross country runners," Jenkins said. |
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