TSSAA Sub-Sectionals
As noted in the past, each region, class, and section all seem to have different ways to qualify and advance. This week there were three competitive regions who all held the optional round of and here are some quick observations from those competitions.
Kaitlyn McLeod Sweeps Short Sprints
Prior to Thursday, Rossview's Kaitlyn McLeod, through five races at each distance, had not lost a 100m or 200m dash this season and yet we knew very little about her. Most girls who are in the Top 10 of the short sprints have a robust profile with activity indoor and out but from all appearances for the Junior Hawk, this is her first high school track season and commands our attention. She continued her winning streak running new PRs of 12.04 and 25.03 and currently ranks 3rd and 4th overall respectively in Division I Class AAA.
Beyond McLeod's victories, as a team Rossview claimed 6 with a win the girls 4x200m relay, Micah Parker in the boys 400m, Maxwell Strains in both boys hurdles, Jamarcus Caldwell in the boys high jump, and Torri James in the girls high jump. James placed runner up in the high jump as a freshman at the state championship and did not participate in track as a sophomore to focus on other sports. Her return is one to take note of.
Key Declarations Are Now On The Table
Though some athletes rank at the top of multiple events throughout the course of the season, seeing which ones they ultimately choose to qualify in is always interesting this time of year. Here are a few that caught my attention.
- Owen Clemons only entered the 3200m despite being ranked 2nd in Class AAA in the 1600m. This follows in line somewhat with the Winders approach from 2017-2019 or so. Would not be surprised to see Clemons enter an Elite Mile at RunningLane the day after state.
- Claire Stegall, despite setting the state record in the 800m, enters the 1600m and the 3200m. This is the same script as last year for the sophomore. I'm certain there is at least one relay, possibly two, on the agenda on the agenda.
- Kymora-Lee Williams enters all three sprints. After MNPS and Nashville City Championships I could see this coming. They were a dress rehearsal for her and at state she'll have more rest between races than she did at both of those events.
- Camryn Merryman attempting the 400-800 double. As I've written in the past, it is very risky but she has done it now three times this season and finished no worse than 4th on the second leg of the combo to this point.
- Morgan Lewis forgoes the 110m Hurdles. He hasn't raced them since early April so this wasn't a surprise but his absence this week confirms his focus on the 300m distance where he currently ranks 2nd overall.
- Will Douglas and Colton King enter all three distances. The seniors from the Highway 70 Corridor finished 1-2 respectively in all three distance events at the NW SubSectional on Thursday and they'll need to stay in the top two to guarantee advancement out of the West Region on the 10th. Only the top two advance and with a trio of competitive Memphis East runners joining them on the line things will be interesting in Jackson next week.
Brentwood Shows Their Hand
In 2021, the Brentwood girls had the #1 4x100m in the state heading into qualifying and chose not to enter one at the Sub-Sectional. Instead, they utilized one of their critical legs, Hollan Powers, in three field events and the 4x400m relay and ultimately won the state championship by seven points over Hardin Valley. They made a similar chess move on Thursday with Sophie Yount.
As we enter the weekend, the Sophomore Bruin leads Division I Class AAA in every event she has qualified in: Pentathlon, Long Jump, 110 Hurdles, 200m Dash, 400m Dash. Her with the rest of the team, there may not be an event on the track contested without a Lady Bruin in it. Every relay, even without Yount, will be competitive. Emergent Freshman Daisy Oatsvall, Lauren Banovac, and Lia Banovac all have a chances to score points. Peyton Strauss will bring veteran leadership to the 2x defending 4x800m relay team as well as more opportunity in the open 800m. To make it three in a row they're going to need every point to fend off the Green and Gold of Memphis Central for a second year in a row and make it three for three.