Knox County wins four state titles; Farragut boys repeat
By Steve Williams
Knox County had a grand showing in cross country at the TSSAA State Championships in Hendersonville last week.
Local harriers brought home awards for two state team champions and one runner-up plus two state individual champions and a runner-up.
Nineteen individuals also earned All-State awards for finishing in the Top 15 in their races.
Team-wise, Farragut’s boys repeated as the champion in Division I Class AAA and Webb’s girls hauled home the Division II-AA championship trophy.
Contributing to the Admirals’ score of 41 were Matteo Tonnos, Braden Ebbert, Harris Cunningham, Evan Beeler and Tanner Coggin.
Tonnos was timed in 15:01.47 over the 5,000-meter course at Sanders Ferry Park and was nipped at the finish line by less than a second.
Leading the Webb girls to their title was sophomore Jazzlyn Garmer, who placed fourth in 18:05.74. The Lady Spartans, who posted a score of 41, also had Calysta Garmer, Carolina Areheart, Kristina Weaver and Lauren Davis.
It was the Webb girls’ first state title since 2018 and the program’s 12th all-time.
Colin Eckerman, Webb senior, was impressive in the Division II-AA boys meet as he won with a 14:51.54 time and finished ahead of Catholic junior standout Keegan Smith (15:02.24). Radek Molchan, Catholic sophomore, placed fifth.
The Fighting Irish took fifth in the team standings and Webb was eighth.
Hardin Valley freshman Emma Cissna led Knox County girls in Class AAA as she came in fourth place with a time of 18:11.43. Region 2 and KIL champion Kate Robinson of West placed sixth.
Also in the Top 15 were HVA senior Maddie Archdale in ninth, Karns senior Rylie Gifford in 10th and Hardin Valley freshman Alexandria Vesser in 13th.
Hardin Valley was runner-up in the girls’ team competition.
CAK senior Joshua Cross took first place in Division II-A with a time of 16:33.03. Teammate Andrew Mansfield came in ninth as the Warriors placed third among teams.
Grace Christian Academy’s girls finished 8th.
In Class A-AA, Anderson County’s Ava Moody placed third, while Alcoa’s girls team finished third. Anderson County’s boys took sixth place as a team. L&N STEM Academy finished 20th.
