Source: Williamson Herald Sports

Author: Charles Pulliam

Photo: Kindell Buchanan

Nolensville High School sophomore Claire Stegall and Page junior Caden Walker were both selected as the latest Gateway Tire Athletes of the Week for the week ending Nov. 6.

Stegall ran to the Class AAA State Cross Country Championship last week and Walker rushed for three touchdowns in the Patriots Class 5A first-round victory over Green Hill on Friday.

The pair were chosen as part of the Athletes of the Week awards sponsored by Garth Bouldin of Gateway Tire & Service Center in Franklin. Each week, athletes from Williamson County are selected and featured in the Williamson Herald throughout the school year.

In addition, Stegall and Walker will be recognized Monday night at 6 p.m. as part of a live broadcast on WAKM AM-950 and online from Tony's Eat and Drink in Franklin during the live "WillCo Sports Power Hour" broadcast.

Stegall finished the championship course at Sanders Ferry Park in Hendersonville in 17 minutes, 52.04 seconds last week to clinch the overall girls' title in the state's largest classification. It's her third individual state title after picking up two in the spring during the track and field championships in distance running.

"She's a real special athlete," Nolensville cross country coach Chris Demetra said. "Last week, we were pretty confident and just wanted to run a bit conservatively and maybe hang back a bit initially to make sure she didn't go out too fast.

"She ran smart and under control and still 600 meters in already had a 20-meter lead. It was amazing."

Stegall, who missed most of the cross country season last year due to injury, distanced herself from the rest of the field early and finished nearly 48 seconds faster than the state runner-up.