Webb girls nab II-AA state title in track; shot put title repeat; Ebbert 3200 #1
MURFREESBORO — Making a huge splash in Division II-AA with its first team state title at the private schools’ top level, Webb School of Knoxville girls track and field edged past runner-up Harpeth Hall 103 versus 100.50 Wednesday evening, May 22, in Middle Tennessee State University’s Dean Hayes Stadium.
Six individual state champions led the way: Lennox Langham, junior, long jump (18-feet-03.25) and triple jump, (37-11.75); 4 X 800 relay (9.23:78); Carolina Areheart, sophomore, 1600 (4:53.28) and 800 (2:16.17); and Jazzlyn Garmer, sophomore, 3200 (10:44.47).
Other Division II-AA and A champs listed later in story.
Ebbert’s main helper
Becoming a distance runner as a fifth-grader, Braden Ebbert recalled, “I almost quit in middle school.”
But his mother, Tristi Ebbert, “kept me on the path of running,” he added. “I’m so grateful for her.”
After what was probably his biggest athletic accomplishment, this Farragut High School senior standout distance runner gave mom a big hug just a few minutes after leaving the entire 3200-meter field behind by almost a half-track length (9:11.04) to win his first state title during the Class AAA state meet at MTSU Thursday evening, May 23.
Further credit for his success went to, “My brother and my sister (Joshua and Madelin) and my coach, (Chelsea) Osborne, and Matteo Tonnos and Trevor Coggin, two incredible teammates I’ve had the opportunity to run with — they all deserve credit.”
Thompson repeats
Bryce Thompson, an FHS junior, repeated as shot put state champion (61-feet-05.75) while taking second in discus.
Other private state champs
Boys-AA: Colin Eckerman, Webb senior, 1600 run (4:04.55) and 3200 run (9:12.93).
Boys-A: Christian Academy of Knoxville’s boys team earned second place (82.50 points) behind its 4 X 800 relay state champs (8:19.01) and with senior Joshua Cross, winning state in the 1600 (4:25.21) and 3200 (9:55.64).
Other girls II-AA champs were Maggie Frana, Knoxville Catholic junior, discus (110-05); Chloe Truss, KCHS sophomore, 100 dash (:12.07) and KCHS 4 X 200 relay (1:43.28).
