Knights Cup features lacrosse action aplenty

By Dan McWilliams There was no shortage of lacrosse action in late April at Knoxville Catholic High School’s Blaine Stadium, and proceeds benefited Catholic Charities of East Tennessee. “The expanded three-day Knights Cup Lacrosse Tournament, held April 25-27 at KCHS, was clearly the most successful of the 16 athletic events …

Notre Dame High names Dusty Gunn as its new director of athletic affairs

Notre Dame High School president George Valadie has named Dusty M. Gunn as the school’s new director of athletic affairs effective July 1. “We were blessed to have had a remarkable list of exceptional and really qualified applicants for this position,” Mr. Valadie said, “but we believe Mr. Gunn is …

St. Mary-Oak Ridge golfers finish strong

The golf team at St. Mary School in Oak Ridge competed in the state tournament at Avalon Country Club on May 14, concluding an exceptional year. The boys team tied for first during the District 1 Tournament at The Greens of Deerfield in LaFollette. They ultimately took second place after …

KCHS holds Spring Athletic Signing Day

Knoxville Catholic High School held its Spring Athletic Signing Day on May 8 in the gymnasium. Fourteen student athletes signed letters of intent that will chart their academic and athletic careers. Family, friends, and coaches joined the students as they formally committed to their colleges and universities. The following were …

Jake Renfree of KCHS wins indoor nationals, earns state and national honors

Knoxville Catholic High School senior Jake Renfree, days after winning state and national runner-of-the-year honors, won the New Balance Indoor  Nationals in early March with a personal-record time of 4 minutes, 6.39 seconds. Jake won the boys 1-mile run by a margin of .29 seconds over Cole Sprout of Highlands …

Keegan Smith wins two nationals, regional

Standout runner Keegan Smith, a sixth-grader at Sacred Heart Cathedral School, added to his winnings two national titles and a regional crown, all on consecutive weekends last fall. Keegan, who is 12 years old, finished first in the Cross Country Coaches National Youth Championships held Nov. 17 at Tom Sawyer …

Honors continue for KCHS’s Jake Renfree

Knoxville Catholic High School senior state cross country champion Jake Renfree was named to Team USA Track & Field and competed in the Junior Co-Ed Relay in central Scotland on Jan. 12, earning a silver medal. On Jan.19, Jake was invited to run in the Virginia Showcase at Liberty University …

Keegan Smith defends national 3,000 title

Keegan Smith, a sixth-grader at Sacred Heart Cathedral School, defended his national title in the 3,000-meter run at the 2018 Junior Olympics, held July 28 to Aug. 4 at Drake Stadium on the campus of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Keegan, 11, ran the 3,000 in a time of …

NFL’s Smith duo holds fourth annual youth camp at KCHS

By Dan McWilliams The fourth annual Smith and Smith Catholic Football Camp at Knoxville Catholic High School on July 12 and 13 gave more than 250 youngsters a chance to learn gridiron skills from NFL players Harrison Smith and Lee Smith and KCHS coaching staffers. Harrison Smith, a KCHS graduate …

Renfree, KCHS girls team capture state track titles

By Dan McWilliams The Knoxville Catholic High School boys and girls track teams again produced state champions in the large class at this year’s state meet in Murfreesboro in May. Jake Renfree, a runner-up to teammate Georde Goodwyn in last year’s 1,600-meter run finals, captured the state title in the …

KCHS grad Thompson places 10th in Boston Marathon

By Dan McWilliams Knoxville Catholic High School graduate Joanna Thompson placed 10th in the women’s division of the Boston Marathon on April 16, and she said she thinks her time could have been better had the weather been more cooperative. “It was about 38 degrees and raining sideways,” she said. …

Knights Cup Lacrosse Tournament draws 32 teams

By Dan McWilliams The third annual Knights Cup Lacrosse Tournament on April 21 was a success as 32 teams from as far away as Memphis and West Virginia came together for 24 games across four fields, all in one day. Knoxville Catholic High School’s Blaine Stadium and John Tarleton Field …