Return to Sanders Ferry
I fully expected the TSSAA State Championship for Cross Country would returning to Steeplechase this November but it was pointed out to me from another contributor that it would be again contested at Sanders Ferry Park in Hendersonville, Tennessee over two days again in 2021. The following information can be found here.
Spectator Information
2021 Championship Dates
November 4-5, 2021
State Meet Schedule
Thursday, Nov. 4
Class AAA Girls' Race: 12 PM CT
Class AAA Boys' Race: 12:50 PM CT
Friday, Nov. 5
DII-AA Girls' Race: 10 AM CT
DII-AA Boys' Race: 10:40 AM CT
DII-A Girls' Race: 11:40 AM CT
DII-A Boys' Race: 12:20 PM CT
Class A-AA Girls' Race: 1:20 PM CT
Class A-AA Boys' Race: 2:10 PM CT
The Awards Ceremony will be held following the completion of each race.
Admission
$10 for school-age children and older.
Participant Info
The course will be open for preview and team packet pick-up at the following times:
Wednesday, Nov. 3: 3-5 PM for Class AAA
Thursday, Nov. 4: 10-11:30 AM for Class AAA, 3-5 PM for Class A-AA & DII
Friday, Nov. 5: 8-9:30 AM for course preview for Class A-AA & DII; packet tent will remain open until all packets are picked up.
But why though?
I'm not sure why and I haven't reached out to ask. Out of pure speculation I would guess that the agreement with the City of Hendersonville was multi-year contract as Spring Fling is with Rutherford County. It may be much cheaper than the cost of using Steeplechase. There may be continuing concerns that at any point Nashville could reverse the loosening of it's restrictions. On short notice I don't know for sure but wanted to get this information out as soon as I could. Feel free to reach out if you do.
As I stated when it was announced this spring the state track meet would be held at Rockvale, I felt like Sanders Ferry was a great consolation course in a year that was far from normal. You could stand in one place and see runners pass you five times. I also liked the schedule. Each classification could come, have their championship, and leave before the next races started.
While I'm hesitant to criticize the TSSAA's ability to execute after successfully pulling off two championship relocations last year, I do have concerns on Friday with the parks ability to have races with teams coming and going for the next championship on the schedule. Hope it doesn't become an issue and I'll be happy to be proven wrong.
Stay tuned. More preseason coverage coming this week. In the meantime enjoy the view from the drone coverage shot at last year's meet.
Jenna Hutchins won last year's Large Division I individual title at Sander's Ferry while Brentwood claimed the team overall title.