Track and Field hits high marks at season's end

The Johnson County track and field program produced a number of school records this year under first-year head coach Andy Starnes. And the Longhorns were at their best when it mattered most – the conference meet at Elizabethton on April 28 and the sectional meet at Eagleton Academy in Maryville on May. "I was pretty proud of how we concluded the season," Starnes said. "The last two meets were probably our best. Definitely, the biggest highlight of the season would be at the conference championship. That was our best showing." The Longhorns boys won the 4x200 relay at the conference meet. Cole Stevens, Matthew Forrester, Darren Chappell and Bryson Kimble ran a 1:39.9, beating second place Happy Valley by nearly two seconds. "That's a pretty good performance," Starnes said. "I was proud of the boys. They represented the program, the school and the community very well." The boys 4x100 relay (Johnathan Lisi, Forrester, Bryson Kimble and Juan Mejia) finished second at the conference meet. "We finished second behind Happy Valley, but we beat Elizabethton, Volunteer and Sullivan East," Starnes said. "Any time you're able to beat Elizabethton, I feel like, it's a really competitive day. So, I was proud of them." Kimble also finished second in the 100 at the conference meet. The boys 4x100 set a school record at the sectional. Lisi, Mejia, Kimble and Chris Wilson recorded a time of 45.76. "They finished sixth overall at the sectional," Starnes said. "That broke the previous record from Juan Mejia's sophomore year when the track program was kind of restarting under Rick Wilson." Darren Chappell had been recovering from a foot injury. We got him healthy down the stretch for his first year in track, and I was proud of Darren and Forrester. They were very committed throughout the year. Even if they were hurt, they showed up for practice. It was a testament to their hard work and dedication. I was glad they got to run one last time, and to go out with a school record." It was also gratifying for the 4x200 to finish a spot ahead of South Greene and five spots in front of Happy Valley. Johnson County also set a school record in the girls 4x100 relay. Comprising that team were Mackenzie Moody, Sarenitie Cannet, Abby Dickens and Chasity Osborne. "They ran a 56.64 to finish third," Starnes said. "I was proud of them. They put a lot of hard work into that. To break the school record at the penultimate race – that was pretty cool." Moody, a sophomore, also tied the school record in the 400 meters (1:08.6) and had a top five finish in the conference championship. "I'm proud of Mackenzie," Starnes said, "and hoping she's going to continue to develop into a great runner." Moody had just finished the 4x100 relay when she ran the 400. "So to go straight from one event into another one," Starnes said, "I think that speaks to her training and stamina (developed) throughout the season preparing for that moment." The 4x100 girls relay finished ninth at the sectional. And Moody, Cannet, Dickens and Osborne are all underclassmen. "Sarenitie did a very good job of closing some ground and got us back into it," Starnes said. "They were in contention to go to the state up until like the last 50 meters. So to put yourself in that position and be so young, I'm very excited for the girls the next two or three years." The boys roster will take some hits from graduation. "We're obviously losing a lot of speed from the boys with Chris Wilson, Juan, Forrester and Chappell," Starnes said. "Abel Johnson is graduating and has a lot of speed." Starnes said he enjoyed having the reins of the program. He credited assistant Tristan Hill and a number of the athletes' parents for lightening his load, too. And speaking of parents, Starnes' father Sherman, who coached track & field some 20 years at David Crockett, also helped him with the jumpers and relay teams.