The Fast Lane

Rebel 4×100 relay pushing elite times

The Maryville High 4×100-meter relay of Nolan White, Price Davis, Aaron Russell and Casey Cobble, left right, enter this weekend’s Volunteer Track Classic as one of the region’s top performing teams.

By Stefan Cooper
Editor
Blount Press Row

It’s the time of year each spring track and field kicks it up a notch.

The prestigious Volunteer Track Classic doesn’t put you in the state meet, but East Tennessee’s best runners, jumpers and throwers get a real good luck at some of the state’s best as they steam toward regions later this month.

The Maryville High 4×100-meter relay is one of the teams to watch as the Classic opens this evening an continues through Saturday at the University of Tennessee’s Tom Black Track.

The Rebel quartet of Aaron Russell, Nolan White, Casey Cobble and Blount County 100-meter champion Price Davis delivered a season-best time of 42.82 seconds during a home meet earlier this week.

Cobble claimed the 200-meter championship at the Blount County Track and Field Championship last week.

The foursome could really be something if the times continue to fall, Maryville coach Nick White said. Shuffling the exchange order to Russell, Cobble, White and Davis the last couple weeks has brought marked improvement.

“When we get to the sectional, I’m hoping that crew can run low 42s,” he said. “If we can run low 42, that can get us on the medal stand at state.”

The numbers become all the more impressive with White, Cobble and Davis each out for track and field for the first time.

“Aaron convinced us,” Cobble said. “Coach White talked to us and said, “Hey, you guys come out here and we could have a great time together. Boy, I’m glad we did because I’m having a blast out here.”

After tonight’s opening festivities, the Classic resumes with a robust schedule on Saturday with the women’s 100-meter hurdles at 8:30 a.m. The men’s 4×100 goes off around 1 p.m., following the conclusion of the men’s 110 hurdles.