pierce breaks own record in 1600

Seymour’s Ryan Pierce and Morgan Peterson left Tuesday’s Region 2-A/AA East Sectional event at Anderson County High School with dreams of a state championship intact.

Pierce’s dreams of a state championship in the 1600 meter event are a bit clearer than Peterson’s visions of a state crown in the discus, however.

Pierce broke his own Seymour High School record in the event with a finish of 4:34.18. His ticket to Murfreesboro is already signed and stamped.

The versatile Peterson, however, needs a little help to get to Murfreesboro in the discus competition. The SHS junior finished third at Tuesday’s sectional and can only hope to make the state as an at-large representative. The top two in each event earn bids to the state while the next two top performers from across the state get at-large berths.

Seymour head track and field coach Cotton Julian said Peterson should know in the next couple days whether or not she gets and at-large bid to Murfreesboro.

“Everybody that I talked to (at Tuesday’s meet) thinks she’s got a great chance to go as an at-large,” said Julian.

Julian said the performance turned in by Pierce left even him, a veteran high school track and field coach, speechless.

“It was unreal,” Julian commented. “He didn’t run until 4:20 (p.m.), the hottest part of the day. That makes his effort that much more unbelievable, that he did it in the heat.”

The SHS coach said Pierce’s record-breaking performance is a product of hard work.

“He’s worked and improved a lot by just working on his own,” Julian added. “His goal was to get back to state and I can tell you he’s really excited about going back. It’s because of his hard work that these opportunities are coming to him.”

Even though only two SHS athletes are still in the running for a state title, Julian said all of his track and field kids deserve a lot of credit.

“I’m really proud of all of our kids,” said Julian. “All of our kids have really done well. We had a big showing at the sectionals this year, and like we told them, ‘if you’re competing on that day then you’re one of the 12 best in this area and you’re done well.’”

SHS tennis season ends at region                                                            

Seymour tennis standouts Maggie Dew and Brent Markowitz saw their hopes of earning  spots in the state tournament dashed Tuesday in the 2-A/AA Finals at The Smoky Mountain Tennis Academy.

Dew, a junior, was defeated by Kingston’s Mulenie Fisher, 6-2, 6-0, in the girls singles finals. Markowitz, a senior, fell to Stone Memorial’s John Taylor, 6-3, 6-2, in the boys singles finals.

Look for an in-depth review of the Seymour High School tennis season this week at www.seymourherald.com.