Performer of the Week
Every week this season we will be conducting a poll from beginning Monday and ending Wednesday to highlight the performances from the previous week. This will give us an opportunity to showcase the best talent in Tennessee. Though some athletes will likely lay down marks every meet that are worthy of being in the poll every time, our goal is to cast a wide net and showcase a vast array of athletes from all parts of the state.
Aliyah Kennedy - Maryville
Sophomore Aliyah Kennedy took to the track four times on Saturday at the Hardin Valley Invitational and each time she crossed the finish line she did so in first. She opened the day with a 12.59 in the 100m, anchored the 4x100m to a come from behind victory, posted a TN #1 in the 200m dash witha 25.62, and closed the day with a minute flat split on the 4x400m relay. Here she was after her busy day of racing.
It's safe to say this time around at state it won't just be a "happy to be here" experience.
Ma'Kya Stinson - Clarksville Northeast
Earlier in the week, I received an email from Coach Webb of the Lady Eagles requesting I correct the spelling of the name of one of her athletes. Ma'Kya Stinson was originally entered as Ma'Kyah. It was corrected shortly after receiving the request but the name still made an impression when I went to process results. Turns out, you're probably going to want to have her name spelled correctly because a lot of people are going to be seeing it in the rankings after the WCHS Ribbon Race meet on Saturday. The freshman was both hurdle events with a TN #8 in the 100m Hurdles in 15.95 and a 50.68 in the 300m Hurdles which is a freshman class #1.
Brianna Baker - Grace Christian Academy (Knoxville)
If we're going to nominate the state's fastest freshman in the 300's, we should probably also include the state's top overall in the event. That time of 46.14 was run by the defending Division II Class A state champion Brianna Baker on Saturday at the Hardin Valley Invitational.
She preceded this race with a victory in the 100m Hurdles as well running a TN #2 15.14. Though the race was wind-aided, I don't think it will stand as her top mark in the event for long as she looks to sweep both events this spring, an accomplishment she narrowly missed last season.
Alyssa Arkava - Ravenwood
Ravenwood could win a team title this season and all the pieces are there. Grimes in the throws, Rayl in distance, Thomas in sprints, and Alyssa Arkava in jumps. Last year, Alyssa Arkava competed in three events at state and none of them were the event she just posted a TN #1 in. On Friday night at March Madness, the junior from Ravenwood jumped an 18-5 which broke her previous PR in the event by two inches. That 18-3 was also posted at March Madness in 2021. She never would jump in the 18's again. Perhaps she thrives on he home runway. Nevertheless, she has the top mark in the state. She also placed 3rd in the 200m dash, an event she qualified for but finished off the podium in Rockvale last season. (Lane 4 Below)
Elissa Longmire - Jefferson County
Last year, Elissa Longmire of Jefferson Co. placed runner up in the discus in Large Division I with a throw of 129-9 which was the best distance of her career. On Saturday, she nearly matched that with a toss of 128-2 in less than ideal conditions. The mark currently was good enough for a victory at Hardin Valley and more importantly, an early season TN #1 ahead of the defending state champion currently, Reghan Grimes. This is a good opportunity to spotlight the sophomore from Jefferson City before throwers news gets dominated by Stiff. Nevertheless, Longmire's mark in shaky conditions Saturday is a good sign moving forward.
