In case you missed it, Jenna Hutchins moved up the national leaderboard. Again.
This is turning into a weekly post.
How does 16:38 sound? In September?
Yep. That'll work.
The Science Hill sophomore has the No. 3 time in the United States right now. Her win over the weekend at the Nike Desert Twilight Festival is just the latest in a string of performances that prove one thing clearly: her resume is already as good as anyone who's ever come out of the Volunteer State.
Hutchins has already put her name in the same category as the best to ever toe the line in Tennessee. Rebecca Story, Kathy Kroeger...and Hutchins.
And all as a sophomore. The fun is just beginning.
It's also just beginning for a powerhouse from the West.
Bartlett High School looks poised to contend in Div. 1 Large Schools.
At the Frank Horton Night Invitational, Bartlett placed four runners in the top 12. Landen McNair ran a new personal best (16:18) to pace the team with a third place finish.
The Panthers are slowly creeping up on the two-time defending state champion Siegel Stars from Mufreesboro. That's going to be a fun race to watch in November.
The guys side on Div. 1 Large Schools is wide open. The Panthers and Stars will be challenged by Arlington, who got a personal best from Jackson Williams on Saturday. In fact, Williams and his squad have the fastest one-through-five average in the state. Their squad is averaging a 16:27 based on personal bests this year.
Stay tuned, friends. The season is getting good!