East Tennessee State XC Preview

Runners to Watch


Sasha Neglia -- Dobyns Bennett

The DB junior is looking to make it three straight. Neglia has never lost a state meet, and she's not planning on starting now. 

Her 17:18 at the Jesse Owens Classic in Alabama still stands as the best time run by a Tennessee girl this season. Last year, Neglia navigated the tough Steeplechase course in 18:15. As we'll discuss later in this article, she'll be pushed a bit harder by another young Northeast Tennessee star. But Neglia has only lost two races on Tennessee soil since she started high school in 2016. She's the runner to beat in D1-Large Schools.


Cole Bullock -- Red Bank

Bullock ran the fastest time in Tennessee during the regular season. And he only raced a couple times in his regular season senior campaign. 

His 14:54 at the Cherokee Classic is still the best time in the state this season. So he'll be the favorite coming into the Large Schools state championship. He's got great track speed (4:14 mile personal best in 2017) and will need to be in the low 15s to win on Saturday. 


Jenna Hutchins -- Science Hill High School

Hutchins has been one of the breakout stars in 2018. She's the tenth-fastest freshman in America this season thanks to her 17:40 at Great American. And she's one of two runners to beat Sasha Neglia inside the Tennessee state borders since 2016. That was earlier this season at the Cherokee Classic.

The freshman is trying to lead her team to a podium finish as well, which could add a bit more incentive to take home the individual title on the final straightaway. Look for her to challenge Neglia for all 5,000 meters. 


Jake Renfree -- Knoxville Catholic

The Notre Dame commit has a great chance to finish in the top three. Renfree was a Foot Locker All-American a season ago. He also won his first state championship at the state track meet last spring. He's run 15:32 this season when he won the Trinity Invitational up in Louisville. 

Renfree was fourth at this meet a year ago. He ran 15:59 at state...and then prolonged his season with a 15:10 at Foot Locker South. It'll likely take sub-15:30 to win the Large Schools state meet. And on Steeplechase, that's quite a strong time. 

Niki Narayani -- Webb School of Knoxville

Narayani will very likely run away with the Division II-Small Schools individual title. The question is: how fast can she run?

The Spartan senior ranks No. 4 on the state leaderboard with her meet record (17:57) at the Greater Louisville Classic at Tom Sawyer Park earlier this year. She'll be focused on postseason competition, but state will be a good chance for her to tune up for Foot Locker.

Edimo Nintereste -- Chattanooga Christian

Nintereste is the heavy favorite to win the boys Division II-Small Schools individual championship. The junior from Chattanooga broke 16 for the first time earlier this season at Jesse Owens. Earlier this season, he was just a hair under 17 minutes on Steeplechase at A.F. Bridges.

After winning the region title in 16:42, Nintereste will be projected to win on Saturday morning. And his team is also expected to bring home the gold trophy.