Basic TSSAA rules for the 2011-2012 track season that all coaches need to know. 

  Photo by RothRE (User Uploaded)   Some 40 teams may their way into Johnson City  to compete in the fifth annual KTC Indoor Track Classic on Friday and Saturday. 106 athletes met the MileSplit National Elite standard in their respective events, and 10 meet records were set, including seven on the girls side.    It was a productive weekend for Georgia athletes, as several put up national caliber marks and times.  Athens Academy's (Ga.) Torie Owers won the shot put in a mark of 50 feet, 2 inches, just outside of her national leading throw of 50'6". Monica Phillips of Pope (Ga.) won the weight with a 55-1 throw, which was her second-best performance of all time (Her best is 57'11"). Owers finished second behind Phillips in a throw of 52-9.75.   

  The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the racecourse, distinguishes Peters as Tennessee’s best high school boys cross country runner.  Now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year award to be announced in January, Peters joins an elite alumni association of past state award-winners in 12 sports, including Ryan Hall (1999-00, 2000-01, Big Bear HS, Calif.), Derek Jeter (1991-92, Kalamazoo HS, Mich.), Candace Parker (2001-02, Naperville Central HS, Ill.), Kevin Garnett (1992-93, Maudlin HS, S.C.), Abby Wambach (1997-98, Our Lady of Mercy, N.Y.) and Mark Sanchez (2004-05, Mission Viejo HS, Calif.).  

KTC High School Indoor Classic Live Updates Refresh var twit = new Twitter.LiveUpdates('twit', 'twit_list', 'ktcindoor', 10000); twit.onUpdate(function() { document.getElementById('twit_update').innerHTML = 'Last updated: ' + twit.lastUpdate() + ' - '; });

David Oliver trains at ESPN Wide World of Sports at Disney World in Orlando with famed coach Brooks Johnson. He focuses on the fundamentals while looking toward the London Olympic Games.

Here is a new little feature we are working on. Want to see how former Tennessee high school athletes are doing now that they have moved on to the college ranks? Here is a little break down kind of like our week in review for high school, but this one is college and just people that competed in Tennessee in high school.  I am sure we have missed a few people so please send emails with links to their high school profile and their college profile. 

A trio of Sunshine State track stars returned home to train for 2012 season and gear up for the Olympics in London. Bershawn "Batman" Jackson, Jamaal Torrance, and Moses Washington spent a couple of days at the National Training Center in Clermont working on their speed and strength. 

  The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the racecourse, distinguishes Ward as Tennessee’s best high school girls cross country runner.  Now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year award to be announced in January, Ward joins an elite alumni association of past state award-winners in 12 sports, including Ryan Hall (1999-00, 2000-01, Big Bear HS, Calif.), Derek Jeter (1991-92, Kalamazoo HS, Mich.), Candace Parker (2001-02, Naperville Central HS, Ill.), Abby Wambach (1997-98, Our Lady of Mercy, N.Y.) and Mark Sanchez (2004-05, Mission Viejo HS, Calif.).  

You’ve probably seen the commercials on TV about the fact that thousands of NCAA athletes will turn professional in something other than the sport they play in college.  That is very true and does emphasize how difficult it is to get to a professional level in any sport.  Track & Field is no different and there are a lot of athletes competing at all levels in college and their end result is a usually a great experience and most importantly, a college degree in a field that interests them.  College athletics is different than high school for sure, and sometimes takes much more focus than you may think.  

Teams are selected by The Tennessean high school writers who use personal observations, coaches’ opinions and performances at the state meet in their selection process. (via saxo.highschoolsports.net)

After finishing a disappointing 84th at the 2010 state Class AAA cross country meet, McMinn County's Haley Ward threw down the gauntlet. (via Knoxville News Sentinel)

By Mike Blackerby (via Knoxville News Sentinel)

Haley Ward, McMinn County: The junior won the Region 3-AAA meet (19:36) by 37 seconds and won the state meet in 18:41, winning by 11 seconds. (via Knoxville News Sentinel)

Hardin Valley Academy's Will Templeton found out that cross country could lead him down a different and better path. (via Knoxville News Sentinel)

Will Templeton, Hardin Valley: The senior swept individual titles at the state, regional and KIL meets and the Hawks took fourth in the team race. (via Knoxville News Sentinel)