Jenna Hutchins is a star in the making
One of the most common conversations among spectators on Saturday: who are the Toppers, and who is that girl running away from the rest of the competitors in the Championship Girls race? The (Hill)Toppers are Science Hill High School from Johnson City, TN, and that girl was freshman Jenna Hutchins. Her 18:09 put her right on par with a name many fans will remember: Kate Niehaus (Spring Valley SC), who also ran 18:09 at this meet back in 2004. How about a reference point that Tennessee cross country observers should recognize: Hutchins ran six seconds faster than Morristown West star Makenzie Jones, a repeat regional champ and multi-time top 10 finisher at the TSSAA State Meet. Hutchins pushed herself well out front, but you have to wonder if she could have dug even deeper if she had someone to battle.