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Star Correspondent

Despite rain and lightning delays that bookended the evening, Elizabethton High School’s track and field athletes delivered standout performances Friday at one of the season’s most competitive meets, which featured only the top 16 athletes per event and nine relay teams per race.

Just qualifying for the event was a major accomplishment, Elizabethton head track coach Matthew Campbell said.

“This meet has very high standards, so just being able to compete here was an honor in itself,” Campbell said.

Sophomore Liahna Nave led the way for Elizabethton, capturing first place in the girls’ discus with a throw of 126 feet, 8 inches. Senior Diesel Russell added to the Cyclones’ medal count with a third-place finish in the boys’ discus, recording a mark of 157-6.

Freshman sensation Arvella Nave made history once again in the girls’ 1600-meter run. Nave broke her own school record, finishing fourth overall with a time of 5:09.68, shattering her previous best of 5:15.73.

Several other Cyclone athletes posted personal records. Chyanne Everett clocked 12.87 seconds in the 100-meter dash to take sixth place, while Addyson Merryman finished the 100-meter hurdles in 18.58 seconds, good for 14th.

The girls’ 4×100-meter relay team — composed of Naye Musa, Merryman, Camdyn Garland and Everett — finished fifth with a time of 51.72 seconds.

On the boys’ side, Jerry Behrmann turned in a strong showing in the 800-meter run, setting a personal best of 2:02.74 and placing ninth overall.

Elizabethton’s performances at the elite-level meet continue to build momentum as the Cyclones prepare for district and sectional competition in the coming weeks.