Elite Performers: Hutchins, Neglia Make Debut


Jenna Hutchins discusses her win in the mile (4:57) at the Mondo Elite HS Invite

Jenna Hutchins and Sasha Neglia had another amazing race on Saturday.

And it's still only January.

The two Northeast Tennessee rivals met once again at the Mondo Elite HS Invitational in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This time it was Hutchins who came out on top.

The Science Hill freshman dipped under five minutes for a mile for the first time on Saturday morning. Her 1600 meter personal best was 5:07. That was from last year at the TMSAA Upper East TN Large School Sectional.

But get this -- Hutchins hasn't lost a mile in her last nine tries. Throughout middle school and high school she's undefeated. And after Saturday she's one for one in high school.

Neglia wasn't too far behind her though. The Dobyns Bennett junior was just two-tenths of a second behind Hutchins for a solid opener of her own. Neglia finished her season with a 4:49 mile at the Music City Distance Carnival last season. 

Those two are going to have a lot chances to race one another this year. 

Take a look at the other elite performances from Tennessee runners over the weekend!

Mondo Elite HS Invitational

JDL Fast Track Winston-Salem, NC
Jan 25, 2019 Jan 26, 2019
1,294 Total Performances (25 TN)

Elite Performances

Girls (8)
55mp 1 19th7.42Mckenzie WilliamsonCentennial High School
MileF 1 1st4:57.32Jenna HutchinsScience Hill High School
MileF 1 2nd4:57.54Sasha NegliaDobyns Bennett High School
MileF 1 4th5:03.28Landri WilcoxCookeville High School
55HF 1 4th8.42Avery McMullenCentennial High School
55Hp 1 3rd8.52Avery McMullenCentennial High School
HJF 1 3rd5-4Avery McMullenCentennial High School
LJF 1 6th17-1Mckenzie WilliamsonCentennial High School
Boys (3)
3200mF 1 14th9:59.47Porter BradleyUniversity School of Johnson City
3200mF 1 20th10:04.91Austin KirkpatrickCherokee High School
60HF 1 5th8.05Brevin SimsChatt. School for the Arts & Sciences
Key
FFinals
sSemi-finals
qQuarter-finals
pPrelims
National Gold Elite
National Silver Elite

Performances above met the Tennessee standard.