Track/Cross Country

Here is what coaches for the Corbin, Whitley County and Williamsburg track and field programs had to say about the outlook for their boys teams in the upcoming spring season. First, we hear from Whitley County coach David Lennon… On relays: “This year we have the addition of Sean Hickey, which should really help us. Dylan Dixon will also be a nice addition, and then you have Jake Paul, Cameron Rose and Dawson Swain who will be among our top runners. Include Nate Jackson, and we have an opportunity to showcase some really nice sprinters in our 4x100 and 4x200 relays. With their work ethic, they have a chance to be...

We’re still a few weeks away from the spring sports season kicking off, but Lynn Camp track and field coaches Allen Harris and Lauren McMillan are eager to find out what their teams are going to look like when that time comes. In their second year of coaching track at LCHS, Harris and McMillan are hoping to see an overall increase in participation this spring. Harris also serves as the school’s head football coach, and McMillan heads up the Lady Cats volleyball program, so they know firsthand about the athletic talent roaming the hallways of the high school each day. “We are trying to raise interest this year,” Harris said. “We...

Over the weekend, all area high school cross country teams took part in regional competition at Cave Lake Park in Monticello. Places and times for local runners in the Region 6 A meets were as follows… Boys varsity - Bruce Hopkins (6th, 19:30.45), Garrett Combs (8th, 19:39.55), Brady Jones (13th, 20:12.72), Jamie Haus (17th, 20:45.32), Tate Fields (20th, 21:13.40), Nathaniel Preston (26th, 21:40.06), Kevin Siler (31st, 22:25.85) and Deuce Ballou (22:59.99). Girls varsity – Selena Mattingly (1st, 21:34.42), Abigail Schwarz (2nd, 22:00.62), Natalia Munoz (11th, 25:34.54), Renee Lumley (15th, 26:09.53), Jenna Dople (18th, 28:30.15) and Kelsey Connell (21st, 29:30.89). The Williamsburg boys finished in second place out of six teams, while the...

This past Saturday, September 3, all coverage area cross country teams were in action at either the Knox Central All-Comers race in Barbourville, or the Henry Clay/Tanner Duke Invitational in Lexington. The following are the final results for Whitley County, who appeared at the Knox Central race… GIRLS VARSITY 27:35.22 - Anastasia Cox 11th 28:03.90 -Brooklyn Lawson 13th 31:59.08 - Madison Vanover 20th 34:50.80 - Cheyenne King 23rd 35:06.09 - Rachel Shelton 24th 35:17.93 - Dora Siler 25th BOYS VARSITY 18:41.62 - Jared Wilson 4th 20:04.96 - Spencer Lawson 15th 20:35.10 - Rusty Surgner 16th 21:05.42 - Aaron Gibbs 18th 21:13.12 - Dylan Coffey 19th 21:13.49 - Jackson Estes 20th 22:04.70 - River Braden 26th 22:31.88 - Lucas Hall 32nd 24:04.16 - David Powers 36th 26:16.36 - Jacob...

This past weekend the 2016 cross country season kicked off with the Catbird Classic at North Laurel High School. Prior to the start of the meet, our coverage area runners took a few moments to give their thoughts for this week’s Senior Spotlight. Brooklyn Lawson has been running at Whitley County for the past three years. She said that practices can be miserable, but the races “really make up for it.” After high school, she plans on going to the University of Kentucky and studying for a career in the medical field. Spencer Lawson has been a runner at WCHS for four years. He said, “I remember when I first started...

Williamsburg Lady Jacket Selena Mattingly has already established herself as one of the top high school runners in the entire state of Kentucky, winning a Class A cross country title and two state track titles as a freshman last school year. Now, as a sophomore, Mattingly is preparing to defend her championships against a competitive field of athletes. She will begin that quest later this month when the 2016 cross country season gets underway. When asked to reflect back on all of the excitement of her freshman year, Mattingly said that she didn’t fully realize just how important her many accomplishments were as they were happening. After having some time...

Between Friday and Saturday of last week, several coverage area track and field athletes were able to come away with top ten finishes in the 2016 KHSAA state championship meets in Lexington. The Williamsburg Yellow Jackets and Lady Jackets competed in the Class A meet Saturday morning and afternoon. Top finishers for the Jackets include: Danasia Buchanon (100-meter hurdles, 4th – 17.01), Selena Mattingly (1600-meter run, 1st – 5:19.62), Mattingly (800-meter run, 1st – 2:23.17), Dakotah Dunn (shot put, 4th – 48-01.00), Dunn (discus, 10th – 136-06), Makayla Mack (pole vault, 8th – 7-00.00), Tanner Boggs (high jump, 3rd – 6-00.00), Dalton Dunn (pole vault, 10th – 9-06.00) and Chaz...

It was a heck of a freshman year for Williamsburg Lady Jacket runner Selena Mattingly… Mattingly gave varsity-level competitors a run for their money in both cross country and track as a middle schooler. Then, back during the fall of last year, she finally realized her dream of becoming a state champion when she opened up her high school career with a Class A cross country title. Coming into the 2016 KHSAA state track and field championships, all eyes were on Mattingly after she was able to pile up victory after victory all season long in distance running events. Among her top accomplishments this spring was taking first place in the...

Earlier this month a From the Sidelines column discussed Whitley County senior Keaton Logan’s quest to make it to Australia this summer to represent the USA in the annual Down Under Sports international track and field competition. In order to make the trip, Logan had to raise a certain amount of funds, mostly to help with the cost of airfare. The News Journal is happy to report that Logan has since met his fundraising goal, and will be traveling to Australia this July. Logan also recently signed to run track and cross country at the University of the Cumberlands. On the day of his signing, he was asked how he felt...

Look in the 5/25 edition for a full list of local athletes competing in this weekend’s KHSAA state championship meets in Lexington!