2021 Outdoor Preview: Impact of Athletic Refugees

Impact of Athletic Refugees

The subdivision in which I live has a lot of turnover. There are probably only about 60 or so houses total but after living here for 4 years there are only about 25 properties in which the people who live there have for longer than us. Seems like every weekend there is a U-Haul parked in someone else's driveway. At some point last fall, I took note of the license plates at each household while walking my dog: California, New York, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Texas. A conglomeration of new residents from all over the country. I don't know why they live here now. I didn't then knock on their door, introduce myself, and ask. I just assume that when your job is no longer tied to your zip code you're free to move to wherever you can get internet access.

Now, you might be saying to yourself "Cool story bro" or "what does that have to do with anything?"

While I won't speculate on why so many people are moving to Tennessee there's no denying that they are here and their presence will likely affect the high school athletic landscape now and in the coming years.

For example, shortly after my 2021 Outdoor Track Season Preview posted on Friday I received an email regarding Madilyn Mayo, Senior at Soddy Daisy High School. I'd never heard of her before and why would I? Until this school year she lived in San Diego and competed for Grossmont High School. This past fall, she played for the Trojan soccer team and this spring she'll compete for their track team. Based on her personal best times as compared to the 2019 TSSAA Division I Section II results here's how she would've finished:

44.32 wins the 300mh

59.75 wins the 400m dash

15.57 places 3rd in the 110mh and qualifies for state.

Now, the order of events in Tennessee would restrict her from running the 300m Hurdles and 400m Dash... I mean she could do it but it wouldn't be pretty but there is no denying that Madilyn could be an unexpected force in Section II this season that the rankings cannot account for.

Madilyn Mayo (4) clearing a the hurdle as a Sophomore. 

I'm sure that stories like Mayo's from other sports this season or season's past are well documented. Perhaps an All-State Running back moved here from out of state and led a region in rushing this season however I'm not on those message boards to find that out. Nevertheless, as this track season kicks off and we preview what to expect, Madilyn is just one example of an athletic refugees who will have an impact on this season and as the season progresses I'm sure we'll uncover more. I'm just glad we live in a state where all athletes, regardless of where they lived a year ago, will have the opportunity to compete and welcome them especially if it raises the level of competition.