Jacksboro Eagles head to state track meet

By Charlotte Underwood    

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF) – All the hard work and dedication is paying off for six Jacksboro Middle School student-athletes heading to the state track meet in Franklin, Tennessee. Students leave this morning for Franklin High School to compete against the best in the state at the Saturday morning track meet, which starts at 9 am.

Track athletes heading to state include eighth graders Luke and Leighton Ivey, Jackson Wade and Mac Crumley, seventh grader Sam Sexton and sixth grader Kylie Sneed.

According to Jacksboro Middle School Track and Field Coach Melinda Riggs, while Jacksboro Middle usually sees student-athletes make it to state, “this year has the most students going in several years.” Even more impressive is for five students, this is their first year running track.

“All the students are first year track athletes except Mac, he’s  run for two years. These kids have worked super hard for this and I couldn’t be more proud,” Riggs said.  According to Riggs, the students have to really work hard to make it to state competitions. This includes two hour practices every day during track season, except Fridays, multiple workouts and conditioning and “having the right mindset.”

“I always tell them to reach as high as you can and then go farther,” Riggs said. This is her first year as head track coach at Jacksboro Middle School. Last year she was the assistant track coach. She said she wanted to say a “big thanks” to her assistant coach Seth Pebley and to all the parents as well.

“It’s been a great experience working with the kids and their parents. The parents are outstanding; bringing kids to and from practice and competitions, they deserve a medal too. I couldn’t do it without the support of the parents and help from my assistant coach,” Riggs said. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 05/20/2022-6AM)