Villa Edges Lawrence By 0.1
*Photos for cover provided by Jaden Lawrence and Hollee Ally
Last year, both Martin Luther King High School and Livingston Academy who both had enrollments of less than 1000 students found themselves competing in a classification with schools well beyond 2000. The pathway to state was not impossible but it also wasn't equitable when you compared track and field classifications to those of other sports. This year, the two schools now reside in a classification whose enrollment range is roughly 700 - 1200 students. While we may not get the head turning all-time marks on a regular basis from this new classification, the quality of the competition is noticeable and this race between Seniors Justin Villa and Jaden Lawrence is a prime example.
More Middle AA Section Race Video
Justin Villa became the second runner in Class AA to break the 50 second barrier this season with a 49.92 putting him right behind Jaden Stevenson who is slated to run all three sprint events on Saturday at the AA East Section meet. Jaden Lawrence will sit #3 with his 50.02 in the classification behind Villa and Stevenson before East and West Sectional results are posted. With the likes of San'darius Coleman and Mack Taylor from West it's entirely possible we see five or 6 runners break 50 in Murfreesboro when Class AA races the one lap event on May 24th when only one did last season in the "Small Division." Congrats to these gentlemen on grabbing one of the Auto-Qualifying positions last night. Good Luck to everyone else who has yet to compete.