East Tennessee high school runners delivered a remarkable haul of state championships and individual honors at the TSSAA Cross‑Country State Championships held Nov. 5‑6 at Shelby Farms Park in Memphis. The performances underscored the strength of local programs as the fall sports season draws to a close.
Team titles for Knoxville Catholic, CAK and Gatlinburg‑Pittman
Knoxville Catholic’s boys captured the Division II‑AA title in a nail‑biting finish, posting 56 points to edge Baylor School’s 58. It was the Catholic boys’ fourth overall state crown and their first since 2024. The depth of the squad shone, with five runners finishing inside the top 20.
Christian Academy of Knoxville (CAK) dominated the Division II‑A girls competition, scoring just 23 points. The Lady Warriors finished 58 points ahead of runner‑up Columbia Academy and swept the top three individual spots. The victory marked CAK’s second girls’ cross‑country state championship and the first since 2012, positioning the program for continued success with several underclassmen on the roster.
Gatlinburg‑Pittman celebrated its inaugural boys’ state title, winning the Division I Class A crown after a dramatic tiebreaker. Both Gatlinburg‑Pittman and University School of Johnson City finished with 72 points, forcing officials to use the sixth‑runner tiebreaker, which favored the Highlanders. Wyatt Mathis anchored the win with a 30th‑place finish in 17:45.77.
Maryville’s individual double triumph
Maryville High School produced two individual champions in Division I Class AAA. Senior Tommy Babbit claimed the boys’ title in 15:14.33, finishing roughly 13 seconds ahead of runner‑up Blake Pilkington of Siegel. Sophomore Hadleih Mitchey secured the girls’ crown in 17:58.52, beating Summit’s Lorelai Whitten by nearly 12 seconds. Both athletes earned their first state cross‑country titles. Maryville’s boys placed fifth in the team standings, while the girls finished 12th.
Strong showings from other local programs
The Knoxville Catholic girls added a solid performance, finishing second in Division II‑AA behind Father Ryan, which posted 62 points to Catholic’s 79. Catholic’s roster featured five runners in the top 25, highlighted by Caitlin Daniels (12th, 19:17.5) and Livi Ray (14th, 19:29.8). Webb School of Knoxville sophomore Bennie Diddle impressed with a seventh‑place finish in 18:52.2.
With cross‑country, volleyball and girls’ soccer championships now complete, East Tennessee schools are turning their attention to winter sports. Basketball teams are gearing up for the regular season, while wrestling programs begin early‑season meets. The coming weeks will bring new opportunities for district, regional and eventually state competition.
Recognition and outlook
Christian Academy of Knoxville’s girls’ team earned special recognition for sweeping the first three individual positions and placing all five scoring runners among the top 15. Knoxville Catholic’s boys were lauded for their two‑point victory, and Gatlinburg‑Pittman received commendation for its historic first title. Maryville’s Tommy Babbit and Hadleih Mitchey were celebrated for capturing the Class AAA individual crowns.
It was a memorable week for East Tennessee distance runners and their schools, showcasing the dedication of athletes, coaches and families who support these programs. For complete championship results and upcoming schedules, visit the TSSAA website.
Original reporting: Knox TN Today — read the source article.
