Paris, Tenn.–For the first time in the school’s history, Inman Middle School now has a state championship.
Saturday the Lady Bulldogs dominated the 2017 TMSAA State Cross Country Class A Championship in Clarksville, winning first out of ten qualifying teams.
Eighth grader Abby Taylor finished fifth out of 84 runners with a time of 13:23 for the two-mile course. Seventh grader Sara Mathis finished 13th with a time of 14:21 while eighth grader Roberta De Le Garza Henriquez placed 14th with 14:24. Taylor Dunagan, eighth grade, finished 21st with 14:51 and seventh grader Harlee Veazey earned the 27th place finish with 14:57. Amelia Hart, eighth grade, finished the race in 17:23.
The girls team has won first place in the last four meets, including the recent TMSAA West Sectional meet in Martin.
Also racing in Saturday’s state championship for the Bulldogs were eighth graders Connor Cox and Luke Nichols. The boys earned two of the five spots to qualify for state during the recent West Sectionals meet. Cox finished 32nd out of 84 boys with a time of 13:23 while Nichols finished 38th in 13:35.
“I’m extremely proud of this team – both the girls and boys,” said Head Coach Kelley Lassiter. “Not only do they work hard but they work well together. We’re a family and it shows when they race. Most of them play other sports, too, so they have to find balance as well as maintain their academics. I have a great respect for that.”
This is the fourth year for Inman’s Cross Country program. Last year the girls were also champions of the West Sectional meet with Taylor placing first.
Photos: Team on podium—from left, Taylor Dunagan, Roberta De Le Garza Henriquez, Amelia Hart, Abby Taylor, Sara Mathis, Harlee Veazey, Head Coach Kelley Lassiter; and team at the start of the race. (Photos courtesy of Kelley Lassiter).
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