TENNESSEE STATE MEET

Abby Faith Cheeseman Wins Fourth State Title By Three Minutes With 16:44, Leads Webb School (Bell Buckle) To First Team Championship

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

Thursday at Tennessee's TSSAA Cross Country State Championships, Abby Faith Cheeseman took another big step establishing herself as one most dominant runners in state history.

At Sanders Ferry Park in Hendersonville, The Webb School (Bell Buckle) junior won her fourth straight state title, winning the Division II-A race in a time of 16 minutes, 44.09 seconds. Her victory tied the record set in 2008 by Independence’s Kathy Kroeger for the most individual championships in state history. 

Cheeseman, who is No. 10 in the latest DyeStat rankings, won her state finals race by a jaw-dropping three minutes (runner-up was 19:46.85). Her efforts contributed to perhaps something even more special. The Webb School tallied 67 points to win the program’s first state title. The Webb School had three runners finish in the top seven. 

The boys DII-A race was also historic as Columbia Academy won the program’s first team title with 31 points. The team was led by sophomore Ty Withrow’s second place finish in 16:47.87. Individually, Senior Joshua Cross of Christian Academy (Knoxville) won in 16:33.03.

It was also a banner day for another Webb School, the one in Knoxville. The girls used a balanced effort with five runners in the top 12 to win the Division II-AA crown with 41 points. Freshman Lydia Brunner of Father Ryan was first in 17:52.93. 

On the boys side, Webb senior Colin Eckerman put down the fastest time of the day to hold off McCallie’s Jack Bowen and win in a blistering time of 14:51.54. Bowen was second (14:52.52), but was important to the team race. McCallie won its fifth consecutive state title with 58 points. It's the second time in state history that a team has won at least five straight team championships. 

Nolensville junior Claire Stegall put down the second fastest time of the day winning the Division I-AAA title in 16:56.32. The Brentwood girls won the team title with 92 points.

In the boys race, Matteo Tonnos of Farragut guided his team to another Division I-AAA title with a runner-up finish in 15:01.47. The team placed four runners in the top eight. Individually, Ravenwood’s Miles Ramer won in 15:00.75, barely holding off Tonnos. 

In Division 1 A-AA, it was all Signal Mountain as the boys both won by placing five runners in the top 25. Individually, Sydney Tackett of Liberty Creek won the girls race in 18:26.54, while Camden Central senior Ridge Bruce crossed the line in 15:58.28 to win. 

TEAM CHAMPIONS

AAA: Farragut boys 41 points; Brentwood girls 92 points - RESULTS

DI A-AA: Signal Mountain boys 55 points; Signal Mountain girls 62 points - RESULTS

D2 A: Columbia Academy boys 31 points; The Webb School girls 67 points - RESULTS

D2 AA: McCallie boys 58 points; Webb of Knoxville girls 41 points - RESULTS