By Christopher Hunt
For the second straight year, the University of Tennessee bagged probably the best scholastic half-miler in the country. Great Neck South senior Terrance Livingston signed his letter of intent to accept a full scholarship to Tennessee last week.
“It just seemed like the place for me,” said Livingston, who chose Tennessee over Georgetown and Arizona.
He’ll join Joseph Franklin, last year’s outdoor national 800-meter champion and one of the top freshmen in the country this season.
“It’ll be nice to really have someone that’s going to pull me in practice,” Livingston said. “And he’s young so we’ll have some time together.”
Livingston earned national recognition last year when he finished third at Nike Outdoor Nationals in the 800 meters, winning the slower section in 1:50.80. He’s been nothing short of dominant in his senior campaign, most recently breaking the New York State record for 600 meters while finishing second in the junior race at the New Balance Collegiate Invitational in 1:18.80, the second-fastest time in United States history. Livingston also holds the second-fastest time in the country this season in the 800, 1:53.36.
The Volunteers enjoy a rich tradition of quality 800-meter runners, led now by Franklin, who has a personal best of 1:48.97 – ran in high school -- and finished seventh at the Collegiate Invitational in the championship 800 in 1:50.27. Livingston, despite his stellar season, says that he still has plenty to give this season. He spent most of the two weeks leading up to the 600 at the Collegiate meet training on the roads because of bad weather.
“I can’t wait,” Livingston said. “It’s kind of like I’m waiting now, just waiting until next year. I want to really run well and finish high school. But I can’t wait to get down there next year.”
Reach Christopher Hunt at chunt@armorytrack.com.