Kumes pleased with Dragons’ track progress
Clinton’s Sadie Haney finished the 100-meter dash in 13.82. (photo:Tony Cox )
The Dragons and Lady Dragons competed in the Rick Cathey Shootout Thursday night at Karns High School in Knoxville.
For the Clinton girls, Summer Wilson posted a pair of top-15 finishes in her events as she took 13th in the 1,600-meter run with a time of 7 minutes, 21.48 seconds. She was 14th in the 800-meter run, crossing the finish line in 2:59.08.
Also in the girls’ 1,600-meter run, Summer Wilson finished ninth (6:54.58).
In the girls’ shot put competition, Kenzlee Hutchison came in third with a mark of 30 feet, 5.5 inches, while Hannah Whittley took 16th (22-8.25).
For the Dragons, Donnavin Pencek had a pair of top marks last week as he finished eighth in the 100-meter dash (11.65 seconds) and came in 10th in the 200-meter dash, posting an effort of 24.01.
In the boys 800-meter run, Noah Ortiz took 10th as he crossed the finish line in 2:23.06.
The efforts posted last week continued Clinton’s run of improvement and success in 2024.
“So far, so good,” Kumes said after his team competed at a meet in Loudon on Friday, April 12. “We have a very young team. We only have two seniors on the team.
“The rest are underclassmen and they’re doing well,” he said. “They just have to learn how to focus and learn what it takes to compete at the high school level.”
The coach said he’s been impressed with junior Lucas Butz, who competes in 110- and 300-meter hurdles. Butz, who transferred in from Florida last year, has already become a team leader for the Dragons.
“Lucas will be a senior next year,” Kumes said.
“He’s done really well in both the 110- and 300-meter hurdles. He’s a great role model for the young kids.
“He’s dedicated in practice and he sets a great example for the younger kids.”
For the Lady Dragons, Hutchison has dedicated herself to proper nutrition and is enjoying a breakout junior season. She had a personal best in the shot put in Loudon Friday night as she posted a mark of 31-0.
“She’s transformed her body, and if you look at her last year and look at her now, she looks like a totally different person,” Kumes said.
“She works hard and she’s really a great kid.
“I don’t want to put any pressure on her, but I think (her mark Friday) can be a real catalyst for her and she could be competing to go to state and win a state championship,” he said.
Kumes noted that he has also been impressed with Sadie Haney, who also plays soccer for the Lady Dragons and is a member of the cheerleading squad.
“She’s involved in a lot of activities and we love to see that,” Kumes said.
“When she shows up, she shows up to compete. And as she continues to work hard, it will pay off for her.”
Haney posted a fourth-place finish in the 100-meter dash (13.82 seconds) as she was one of five Clinton competitors in the event Friday.
Laci Clevenger finished 12th (14.84).
Ryleigh White was 18th (15.52).
Riley Sharp came in 19th with a time of 15.65.
Taylor Mitchell took 21st (15.75).
White, meanwhile, was 17th in the 200-meter dash.
McKenzie Sharp finished 28th.
Wilson posted top marks in both the 800-meter run and 1,600-meter runs.
She was second in the 800 as she crossed the finish line in 3:04.37.
She was fifth in the 1,600 as she posted a time of 6:59.42, followed by Clinton teammate Hollifield, who finished sixth (7:06. 33).
For the Clinton boys, Ryley Brewer took seventh in the 400-meter run as he finished in 1:02.85.
The Dragons boasted three top-20 finishers in the 800-meter run.
Noah Ortiz led the way as he came in sixth (2:28.27).
Cooper Bostrom came in 13th (2:43.77), and Max Bostrom was 14th (2:55.19).