PHOTO GALLERY: Volunteer sweeps Twin Lakes titles

GREENEVILLE — The Volunteer track and field program came into the 2024 season with a new head coach in a new conference and a lot of new faces. Yet, the expectation was the same: win the conference championship.

On Tuesday, April 30, the Falcons and Lady Falcons did just that — sweeping the boys and girls team titles to claim their first Twin Lakes Conference track and field championships on a long and rainy night at Greeneville Middle School.

Cherokee finished third in both the boys and girls team standings.

“We’ve said all along that our expectation was to win conference,” said Volunteer’s first-year head coach Sam Barton. “It’s been a rough year, weather-wise — probably the worst I’ve seen in the eight years I’ve been here. But they just keep working and waiting on a good day, where the conditions are right for better times, better throws, better jumps.”

All of the competitors at Tuesday’s Twin Lakes Conference meet had to battle rainy weather, a lightning delay, technical issues and other distractions that pushed the 4 p.m. meet well into the 10 o’clock hour.

When the scores were finally tallied, the Falcons had amassed 156 points to win the boys’ title with Greeneville second (141) and Cherokee third (136) followed by Cocke County (84), Grainger (33) and Claiborne (23). On the girls’ side, the Lady Falcons racked up 179 points for the title. Greeneville was second (154) and Cherokee third (98.50) followed by Cocke County (91.50), Claiborne (41) and Grainger (21).

It was the third straight conference championship for the Falcons’ boys program, which won back-to-back Upper Lakes Conference titles in 2022 and 2023 before moving to District 2 with TSSAA realignment this season. It was the second conference crown in three years for the Lady Falcons, who won the Upper Lakes in 2022.

The key for this year’s teams, Barton said, has been depth — something he hopes will continue to help the Falcons as they gear up for the TSSAA sectional meet on May 11 in Knoxville.

On Tuesday, the Falcons racked up a lot of points with second-, third- and fourth- place finishes up and down the lineup. For instance, Volunteer’s Aliah Laster won the girls 100 hurdles (16.57) with teammates Taylor Boggs and Rhyann James second and fourth respectively.

Laster had a big night, also winning gold medals in pole vault and the 4x200 relay and a silver medal in discus.

The Volunteer distance runners continued to shine.

Roman Borghetti-Metz was a triple champion, with wins in the 1600 (4:35.86), the 800 (2:00.26), and the 4x400 relay. Teammate Kevin McCurry was second in the 800 (2:03.71) and the 3200 (10:35.00) and third in the 1600 (4:43.32). Carter Manis finished sixth in the 1600 (5:02.26).

Senior Jacie Begley also doubled up with conference championships in the 1600 meters (5:33.05) and the 800 (2:22.90). Teammate Lillie Bullock finished second in the 1600 (5:53.46). Allyssa Gent won the 3200 (13:32.30).

Volunteer senior Kasey Brown picked up his first conference championship and then made it a double, with wins in both discus and shot put. Teammate Jackson Clonce finished second in shot put and third in discus.

Volunteer’s Lucas Gilliam won the high jump with a leap of 5-10 and finished fourth in triple jump. The Falcons’ Jordyn Winegar-Collis won the 110 hurdles and took bronze in the 300 hurdles. On the girls’ side, Volunteer’s Taylor Boggs won the 300 hurdles (51.26) and took silver in the 100 hurdles.

Cherokee also had a double winner in the field events with freshman Leah Mowell winning shot put (36-7) and discus (108-7). Cherokee’s Emily Cutthrell also won the conference crown in long jump with a leap of 15-6.

Cherokee swept the 400-meter titles with freshman Elizabeth Coward earning her first conference championship with a time of 1:03.05 and sophomore Lofton Hayes winning the boys’ race with a time of 53.11. Hayes also earned silver in the 200 (22.93), while Coward took silver in the 800.

Trey Smith earned a conference championship in the 300 hurdles (43.16) and finished second in the 110 hurdles (17.79).

Here’s a look at the medalists from Cherokee and Volunteer in the individual events and relays:

GIRLS GOLD

Cherokee: Elizabeth Coward, 400 (1:03.05); Emily Cuthrell, long jump (15-6); and Leah Mowell, discus (108-7) and shot put (36-7)

Volunteer: Aliah Laster, 100 hurdles (16.57) and pole vault (16.57); the 4x200 relay of Aliah Laster, Lauren Payne, Belle Fritts, Taylor Boggs (1:56.52); Jacie Begley, 1600 (5:33.05) and 800 (2:22.90); Taylor Boggs, 300 hurdles (51.26); and Allyssa Gent, 3200 (13:32.30).

BOYS GOLD

Cherokee: Lofton Hayes, 400 (53.11) and Trey Smith, 300 hurdles (43.16)

Volunteer: Kasey Brown, discus (149-1) and shot put (50-02); Jordyn Winegar-Collis, 110 hurdles (17.64); Roman Borghetti-Metz, 800 (2:00.26) and 1600 (4:35.86); the 4x400 relay of Brandon Begley, Roman Borghetti-Metz, Isaac Jennings, John Ross (3:44.43); and Lucas Gilliam, high jump (5-10).

GIRLS SILVER

Cherokee: Elizabeth Coward, 800 (2:35.90); the 4x100 relay of Lilly Henley, Kelsie Henley, Brooke Nelson, Emily Cuthrell (54.68); the 4x200 relay of Taylor Sanford, Kelsie Henley, Brooke Nelson, Emily Cuthrell (1:57.75); the 4x400 relay of Lilly Henley, Kelsie Henley, Brooke Nelson, Elizabeth Coward (4:32.48); the 4x800 relay of Aniyah Bandy, Julina Allen, Elizabeth Coward, Mariam Elkammash (11:29.44); Brooke Nelson, high jump (4-10); and Katie Mowell, pole vault (7-0).

Volunteer: Taylor Boggs, 100 hurdles (17.15); Belle Fritts, 200 (27.80); Lillie Bullock, 1600 (5:53.45); and Aliah Laster, discus (92-8).

BOYS SILVER

Cherokee: Trey Smith, 110 hurdles (17.79); Lofton Hayes, 200 (22.93); the 4x400 relay of Jayden Gonzalez, Kolden Singleton, Ayden Harris, Kaleb Turner (4:04.09); and Kolden Singleton, high jump (5-8).

Volunteer: Jackson Clonce, shot put (47-2); Kevin McCurry, 800 (2:03.71) and 3200 (10:35.00); Grant Winegar, 400 (54.92); John Ross, 300 hurdles (43.75); the 4x200 relay of Grant Winegar, Jordyn Winegar-Collis, John Ross and Alex Polk (1:36.74); the 4x800 relay of Leonel Trejo, Isaiah Livesay, Samuel French and Daniel Rooker-Melton (9:43.15); the 4x200 relay of Grant Winegar, Jordyn Winegar-Collis, John Ross and Alex Polk.

GIRLS BRONZE

Cherokee: Aniyah Bandy, 300 hurdles (56.19); and Brilee Copeland, triple jump (28-11.50)

Volunteer: 4x800 relay of Lillie Bullock, Raya Kochemba, Cayden Gent and Allyssa Gent; Volunteer’s 4x100 relay (55.25); Belle Fritts, 100 (13.76); the 4x400 relay (4:35.69); Rhyann James, high jump (4-8) and long jump (14-11); and Kadey Brown, shot put (29-0).

BOYS BRONZE

Cherokee: Kolden Singleton, triple jump (42-4); the 4x200 relay of Rowe Fletcher, Jayden Gonzalez, Auston Leach, Kaleb Turner (1:39.41); the 4x800 relay of Jake Elliott, Connor Armstrong, Jayden Ward, Adonis Kincaid (9:47.18); and Jhay Sulit, pole vault (10-00).

Volunteer: Grant Winegar, 400 (54.92); Kevin McCurry, 1600 (4:43.32); Jordyn Winegar-Collis, 300 hurdles (46.20); the Volunteer 4x100 relay; and Jackson Clonce, discus (140-5).