By JESSE SMITHEY
MURFREESBORO – Christian Langlois had just finished his 100-meter dash Thursday afternoon when a competitor, from Nashville’s Hillsboro High School, looked at Langlois’ jersey and asked where Bearden is located.
Langlois, a lanky 6-foot-3 senior, replied, “Knoxville.”
“Y’all fast in Knoxville?” the Hillsboro sprinter replied.
“I’m fast in Knoxville,” stated Langlois, matter of factly yet without a drip of arrogance.
Well.
Hard to argue that.
Langlois dominated the 100-meter race in the TSSAA Large Class state meet at Rockvale High School, taking first with a personal-best time of 10.43 seconds and then claiming the 200-meter, as well, in 21.09 seconds.
No competitor, regardless of classification, matched or bettered Langlois’ 100-meter time nor his 200 time this week.
“I was definitely nervous (today),” said Langlois, who’s still mulling his college options. “I knew coming in, I had the fastest (qualifying) time. So to come out here and win it was a huge weight off my chest.
“I knew I could do it. I just had to get in the right mindset, start breathing right, focus down and get out there and run.”
LARGE CLASS – GIRLS
Like Langlois, the Hardin Valley Academy girls’ track & field team had a pretty strong day, too, at Rockvale.
The Lady Hawks claimed second overall with 66 points, just seven behind Brentwood.
HVA senior Dominique Romain finished second in the long jump (18-4.5) and third in the 100 (12.19) while Madison Romain, a junior, was second in the 300 hurdles at 45.44.
Sidnee Stanton, a junior at HVA, was first in the triple jump with a mark of 37-8.5.
The Lady Hawks relay teams were second in the 4 x 100 and third in the 4 x 200.
Other notable area finishers in the Large Class meet included: Laura Speth (Farragut) second in pole vault (10-0), Samantha Harvey (Farragut) second in pole vault (10-0), Emma Gives (Morristown West) third in shot put (38-4), Elissa Longmire (Jefferson County) second in discus (129-9), Kacey Webb (Morristown West) third in discus (123-11), Farragut relay second in 4 x 800) and Jewel Jennings (Jefferson County) second in 400 meter (56.05).
LARGE CLASS – BOYS
Bartlett won the overall boys championship with 69 points while HVA finished fifth (35 points) and Greeneville sixth (25).
Greeneville junior Jaden Stevenson had a solid day, finishing second in the long jump (22-10.5) and fourth in the 100. The Greene Devils 4 x 100 relay team finished second.
Heritage sophomore Grant Campbell won the state high jump championship with a mark of 6-8.
Jefferson County seniors Tristan Boatman and Dominic Schroeder finished second (55-6) and third (54-7.5), respectively, in the shot put.
Ben Centers (William Blount) and Trent Howe (Oak Ridge) took second and third, respectively in the discus. Centers’ effort was 158-3 and How’s 156-1.
Austin Rome, of HVA, was third in the 400 meters (48.8), and the Hawks 4 x 200 relay team finished third.
UNIFIED TRACK & FIELD
The Hardin Valley Academy unified track & field team won its third consecutive championship.
Results from HVA include: 100 meter boys, second place (Conner Rittenberry, Davon Morelan), 100 meter girls, first place (Laynie Jaramillo, Stormey Copeland), long jump boys, first place (Conner Rittenberry, Trey Bozeman), long jump girls, second place (Laynie Jaramillo, Rebekah Lyles), 4 x 100, second place (Bozeman, Rittenberry, Morelan, Jaramillo), shot put, first place (Mason Lasorsa, Daniel Gooch).
Back to Back to Back! Your Unified Track and Field State Champions reside at @HVAHawks for the 3rd time in a row! Dang proud coach! This team flat got after it today! @5StarPreps @prepxtra @WBIRSports @WATESports @wvltsports pic.twitter.com/H9H3UVaXXn
— Jennifer Hayes (@jenhayesTNLV) May 28, 2021