Greenhalgh crowned state champ in 800-meter
Mason Greenhalgh is the first individual TSSAA track and field state champion for the Wildcats in more than a decade. Greenhalgh won the 800-meter run with a time of 57.09 seconds. (photo:Oak Rige Sports Media )
It happened Friday as distance specialist Mason Greenhalgh claimed the 2024 Class AAA state title in the 800-meter run at Middle Tennessee State University’s Dean Hayes Stadium in Murfreesboro.
Greenhalgh beat the field as he clocked a time of 1 minute, 57.09 seconds in the event on the Volunteer State’s grand stage.
“It was the first state championship in any traditional sport for Oak Ridge in 11 years,” Wildcats track Coach Tom Sauer said. “I think we had a dance (championship), but I’m not sure how all that works ... I don’t want to make anybody mad.”
Greehalgh culminated his 2024 track and field campaign with an individual championship. He also helped the Wildcats’ 4x800-meter relay team earn a fourth-place finish. There, he teamed with Dallas Frendt, Tyree Porter and Trey Branson to clock a time of 2:35.67.
It was truly a big day for the Wildcats and Lady Wildcats, who sent a relay team and four individuals to the state championships. Three of the four athletes and the relay team won medals at the Spring Fling.
“It was the best meet I’ve ever been involved in as a coach,” Sauer said. “It was a great day. We didn’t quite get all we wanted, but almost everybody [who] went down there medaled and made all-state, and everybody down there had a Top 10 finish.”
Lady Wildcats sprinter Seven Pettus competed in three events and medaled in two. She finished fourth in the 200-meter dash, crossing the finish line in 25.39 seconds. She came in eighth in the 100-meter dash at 12.30 seconds. Pettus claimed ninth place in the 400-meter dash, posting a time of 58.48.
Lady Wildcats distance specialist Dylan Job finished eighth in the 800-meter run as she posted a time of 2:19.36.
Shot putter Sophia Hughes claimed ninth place in her event as she had a mark of 33 feet, 7.25 inches.