Greenhalgh claims state silver, runs ‘like a pro’ in 800
Mason Greenhalgh took second place in the 800-meter run at the 2025 TSSAA state championship meet in Murfreesboro. (photo:ORHS Sports Media )
Then a sophomore, Greenhalgh had the opportunity to defend his title in 2025 as a junior.
A three-sport standout who also runs cross country and swims for the Wildcats, Greenhalgh got that chance last Thursday at Spring Fling 32 in Murfreesboro.
And while Greenhalgh came up just short of repeating as champion, Oak Ridge Coach Tom Sauer praised his performance at Middle Tennessee State University’s Dean Hayes Stadium.
“It was the opposite of last season,” Sauer said. “Mason came in second and Evan Beeler, the kid from Farragut, came in first.
“He finished second (this year), but I was more pleased with his race this season than I was last year. He ran his race like a professional. He dictated the race this year.”
Beeler took the title, clocking in at 1 minute, 53.29 seconds. Greenhalgh followed with a time of 1:54.51.
Greenhalgh also competed in the 4x800-meter relay, helping the Wildcats place seventh with a time of 8:13.15.
He was joined by Nolan Riden, Patrik Vodopiven and Rhett Hovater.
“That was nowhere near our best time and nowhere near what we can run,” Sauer said.
The Lady Wildcats’ 4x800-meter relay team — Dylan Job, Lily Tice, Emily Edwards and freshman Amaijah Bishop — finished 11th with a time of 9:47.77.
“Amaijah is a freshman and we got her late,” Sauer said. “She played basketball, and in the sectionals, she split 2:20 in only her second 800 ever, and she almost qualified for state in the high jump.
“At state, in her third 800 ever, she had our fastest split and it was a 3:23,” he said.
Those were a few bright spots in what Sauer called a rebuilding season for Oak Ridge.
“We didn’t have any throwers or jumpers (at state), and I wasn’t happy about that,” he said.
“We lost a lot of sprinters after last year, so this was a rebuilding year.
“Next year will be our year.”
