Performer of the Week

Every week this season we will be conducting a poll from beginning Monday and ending Thursday to highlight performances from the previous week. This will give us an opportunity to showcase the best talent in Tennessee. Though some athletes will likely run times every week that are worthy of being in the poll, our goal is to cast a wide net and showcase a vast array of athletes from all parts of the state. 

Preseason Until Now

Though we're officially a week into the season, August really is an easing in period for most programs. Some meets are the 5k distance, some meets are shorter, some meets are on a course and others are on a track. While some teams and  runners are delaying their debut for a couple more weeks, others already have multiple races and in some cases, multiple victories under their belt. Here are some that have stood out so far. 

Thomas Arender - Pope Prep

As a freshman, Thomas Arender's best time fell short of dipping below the 17 minute mark with his best time from 2021 being 17:08. That personal record did not last long this season. He debuted on Saturday at the Green Hill Invitational with a victory and a shiny new PR of 16:45. He placed right outside the top fifty at last year's state meet but this time as his baseline for this season I would think top 25 would be in reach. 

Daniel Martin - Riverdale

Earlier this summer on this very same track, Region 4 foes Daniel Martin of Riverdale and Tate Bowland of Oakland locked horns in a 5k on the track. Martin ran 16:36 and Bowland ran 16:45. For Martin, it was his first time under seventeen minutes for the five thousand meter distance. He has yet to officially do so on a cross country course but after watching his race on Saturday at Siegel Under The Stars, I don't think that will take very long to accomplish this season. 

Amidst high caliber runners from Brentwood and Murfreesboro, Martin was able to secure a 3rd place finish in 9:46. It was his first time under 10:00 as well. Martin is setting himself up for a run at the individual region title which should be within reach without a clear Alpha returning from last season. 

Jaden Hillis - Liberty Creek

We pointed to the opening of Liberty Creek last week in this article but it's worth noting again. Jaden Hillis won the single loop race at the Updog Opener and looked very strong in doing so. He's a name to know in Class AA/A as the likes of Jackson Martin and Will Douglas will both be graduating out after this year. 

Alexander Quackenbush - Daniel Boone

Though Daniel Boone may not have the fire power of last season since Streeval and Wingfield graduated, the infrastructure of the program means they will never be without talented runners. This weekend at the Pioneer Class of Classes, Alexander Quackenbush placed runner up in the Senior 2 Mile race running 10:07. Keep in mind this was on a course and not a track as some other races were this weekend. The senior was steady last season running low 17s and mid 16s all year but with this debut he looks to be well within sub-16 capabilities over five thousand meters.

Garrison Rodgers - Cleveland

While all the news out of Cleveland this season may be centered around incoming freshman Owen Clemmons, Garrison Rodgers has quietly picked up two victories while he delays his debut. Rodgers won the McMinn County Jamboree in 17:39 and a week later won the Walker Valley 2 Mile in 10:28. Neither were PRs for the Junior but this is definitely a great launch point to the season and a promising sign the Cleveland team may be able to make some news next season with no seniors in currently placing in their Top 5.