TENNESSEE STATE MEET RECAP

Mensi Stiff, Claire Stegall Set New Standards For Excellence For Tennessee Girls

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

Brentwood Academy’s Mensi Stiff completed her final state high school meet May 23-25 at Dean A. Hayes Stadium at Middle Tennessee State (Murfreesboro, Tenn.). Nolensville sophomore Claire Stegall is eligible to come back two more times.

Stiff, an Ole Miss commit who re-wrote the state's all-time records on the shot (No. 17 all-time 52-11) and discus (165-7), won the Division II Class AA state shot put (50-2.50) and discus (155-3) crowns. She ended her prep career with six state outdoor titles. Stiff broke records that stood since the 1980s in both events. 

Meanwhile, Stegall drove down records in the 800 meters and 1,600 meters that had been set in stone since the late 1970s. At the state meet, she lowered her best in the 1,600 to US#7 4:41.40 in the D1 AAA final. She had previously run 2:09.11 in the 800 to break the record in that event. 

The Memphis Central girls held off defending champ Brentwood 87-82 to win the Class AAA title.  Akira Simpson led the charge, winning the triple jump (40-4) and was third in the long jump (18-4.25). 

The boys Class AAA race for a title was also close, as Brentwood edged out Memphis Central 83-76. 

In the field Kyler Nichols of Green Hill cleared 16 feet in the pole vault to win the AAA title. 

The MLK girls won the Class D1 AA title and were led by Aaliyah Varnado, who won the 100 (11.95) and 200 (25.45).

Page (73 points) won the boys Class AA title with Cole Combs winning the shot put and taking second in the discus for the team. 

Covington’s San’Darius Coleman won the 400 (48.30) and 800 (1:56.70). Jayquon Price of Greeneville won the triple and long jump. 

In Division I Class A, Alcoa girls scored 100 points to claim the state title, while the Pearl Cohn boys tallied 80 points. 

Camden’s Will Douglas won the 800, 1,600 and was runner-up in the 3,200 in Class A action. 

In the D2 AA state meet team standings, Harpeth Hall repeated as champions with 118 points.

The Christian Brothers claimed the AA title with 128 points as Ashton Hearn won the discus with a toss of 185-4. 

In the distance events, Keegan Smith of Knoxville Catholic won the 1,600 in 4:17.18 and claimed the 3,200 (9:12.35).

Team Champions

Division I Class AAA: Brentwood boys 83 point; Memphis Central girls 87 points - RESULTS

Division I Class AA: Page boys 73 points; MLK girls 117 points - RESULTS

Division I Class A: Pearl Cohn boys 80 points; Alcoa girls 100 points - RESULTS

Division II-A: Franklin Road Academy 118.5 points boys; Webb School girls 83 points - RESULTS

Division II-AA: Christian Bothers boys 128 points; Harpeth Hall girls 88 points - RESULTS