Seasoned runners to spark Wildcats
Oak Ridge’s Mason Greenhalgh finished in the top ten at the TSSAA State Championship meet at Sanders Ferry Park in Hendersonville last year. He returns as a top runner for the 2025 Wildcats cross country team.
The Mounds, a course designed by the Oak Ridge coaching staff last year, staged two meets in 2024 and quickly earned praise from coaches across East Tennessee.
“I decided that I was going to host a meet on our course,” said Oak Ridge coach Ed Wright, who enters his 21st year with the program and his ninth as head coach.
Expectations are high for both squads this fall. Each team returns a top three with extensive postseason experience in both cross country and track and field.
“For the boys and girls, our top three runners are all set, but from spots 4-10, things are wide open,” Wright said. “We know who our top three are, but the rest of the lineup will sort itself out as the season goes on.”
For the boys, senior Mason Greenhalgh — a two-time state champion in the 800 meters at Spring Fling in Murfreesboro — headlines the roster.
Senior Rhett Hovater and junior Nolan Riden also bring state-level experience in both cross country and track.
On the girls’ side, seniors Dylan Job and Elly Hartman return, along with junior Natalie Adams.
That trio has also competed deep into the postseason in both track and cross country.
