Right Here and Now

Warriner storms to front year ahead of schedule

By Stefan Cooper
Editor
Blount Press Row

Maryville distance specialist Matthew Warriner cools down after a workout at the Maryville Middle track. Photos by Jolanda Jansma

Matthew Warriner didn’t win the 800 meters at last week’s sectional track and field meet, but the Maryville High School junior led the race long enough to light the fuse.

“Being up there in first for a while felt great,” he said.

When the field in the 1600 went out slow, Warriner “just went for it,” opening a lead he would never relinquish. It not only put the 6-foot-2 Rebel atop the medal stand at Science Hill High School as Blount County’s lone sectional winner. His time, 4 minutes, 17 seconds, is the fastest statewide among qualifiers for next week’s TSSAA state meet in Murfreesboro.