Eagles and Owls qualify for TMSAA state track tournament

By Charlotte Underwood 

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – The Eagles and Owls are flying to compete at the state track tournament after qualifying at sectionals on Saturday. 

Student Track and Field athletes from Jacksboro and La Follette Middle Schools competed in the 2023 TMSAA Sectional Championships on April 29th, hosted by Maryville High School.

In all, nine students will be heading to compete at the state tournament which will be held at Austin Peay State University on May 20th.

Seven Jacksboro Middle School track and field athletes qualified at Saturday’s  competition, while LaFollette has two athletes heading to state as well. 

LaFollette Eighth grader Jake Hatmaker won an amazing 1st place in the Boy’s 800 meter dash and is headed to state!

LaFollette Middle School Eighth grader Maggie Proffitt placed 4th in the Girl’s 800 meter dash and is state bound as well!

The LaFollette Track Coach is Emily Ellison.

Jacksboro student athletes heading to state include:

6th grader Max Stanfill who will be competing in the 4×200 meter relay team, which placed 4th at sectionals.

7th grader Braydon Graham finished 3rd in Boy’s shot put and will also be competing on the Boy’s 4×200 relay team.

7th grader Lybia Jo Smith placed 4th in the 400 meter dash, as well as 4th in the Girl’s discus.

8th grader Emelia Stanfill placed 3rd in hurdles and 4th in Girl’s high jump.

8th grader Trysten Harmon finished 4th with the 4×200 relay team.

8th grader Noah Gaylor, 3rd Place in Discus.

8th grader Sam Sexton, 4th Place in Long Jump and will also be competing on the Boy’s 4×200 relay team. 

Trysten Harmon, Max Stanfill, Sam Sexton and Braydon Graham, claimed 4th Place in Boy’s 4×100 Relay.

Jacksboro Head Track Coach Seth Pebley said the athletes had worked incredibly hard to make it to state. 

“It’s very exciting to see the kids we had last year improve and qualify to compete in multiple competitions at state and to see how far they’ve come and all the hard work they’ve put in pay off,” Coach Pebley said. 

He said he was “super proud” of all the athletes, both at Jacksboro and LMS and that there were “multiple standouts” this year. 

“All these kids at both schools worked so hard to get where they are; they put in the effort and it shows,” Pebley said.  (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 05/05/2023-6AM)