2021 Outdoor Track Season Preview

The Season Behind Us

At this point last year, I knew the exact stories I was ready to cover:

-          Mikele Vickers trying to become the first female Tennessee Jumper to go 20' - 40'

-          Brevin Sims lowering his State Record in Hurdles

-          Kevin Davis: 100m, 200m records on notice

-          Hutchins vs. Neglia

-          Winders and Kinder's "Last Dance"

The 2020 outdoor season would have been a season to remember but those seniors didn't get their opportunity to make history. Tragically and abruptly, the season ended before it got started.

The Season in Front of Us

Going into this season, outside of distance events, I'm a little lost on who and what are the storylines to cover. This is part of the reason I've been posting the Top Returning 100 Seniors rankings because in 2019, I wasn't paying attention to which athletes placed 6th through 8th but it's likely that two years later those sophomore who stood on the lower parts of the podium then will ascend to the top of the medal stand this May.

For instance, Aiden Britt won this fall's Cross County State Championship and as a sophomore posted the best 1600m and 3200m time for his graduating class. Is Javon Burke of Bradley Central High School going to have similar success in the short sprints? I'll be honest, until I posted the rankings I'd never heard of him. In 2019 he placed 11th at his sectional meet... SEVEN places from even qualifying for state. Perhaps the 10.89 attached to his profile is a quick draw hand time. Who knows? But after winning the TN State Indoor HS Championship last month with an undeniably impressive 6.87 FAT time... He's clearly someone I need to have an eye on.  


Javon Burke (Black Uniform) competing in the 2019 TN State Indoor HS Championship.