From meet championships and state podium finishes to school records and individual state titles, the Fighting Irish and Lady Irish consistently raised the standard throughout the 2026 outdoor season.
By the end of the year, both teams had firmly established themselves among the top programs in Tennessee, showcasing depth, determination, and a championship mindset every step of the way.
Team Success Throughout the Season
The Lady Irish delivered a dominant season across East Tennessee, earning team victories at the CAK Rust Buster, Hardin Valley Invitational, and Oak Ridge Legends Invitational. The girls team also finished runner-up at the KIL Championships, placed third at the Region Championships, and capped off the season with an impressive fifth-place finish at the TSSAA State Championships.
The Fighting Irish also turned in a standout season, highlighted by runner-up finishes at both the KIL and Region Championships before earning seventh place at the state meet.
2026 Team Results
- CAK Rust Buster — 🥇Girls 1st, 🥈Boys 2nd
- Hardin Valley Invitational — 🥇Girls 1st, Boys 8th
- Oak Ridge Legends Invitational — 🥇Girls 1st, Boys 4th
- Vol Track Classic — 🥉Girls 3rd, Boys 10th
- KIL Championships — 🥈Girls 2nd, 🥈Boys 2nd
- Region Championships — 🥉Girls 3rd, 🥈Boys 2nd
- State Championships — Girls 5th, Boys 7th
Record-Breaking Performances
This season saw Knoxville Catholic athletes rewrite the record books in multiple events.
New School Records
- Charlotte Fowler ’29 — Long Jump (17-5.5), Triple Jump (33-4.5)
- Chloe Truss ’26 — 100m (11.86), 200m (24.13), 400m (55.23)
- Girls 4×200 Relay — Sarah Salsbery ’27, Juliet Biden ’27, Zymie’Rah Givens ’29, Chloe Truss ’26 (1:40.47)
- Chandler Thompson ’27 — 110 Hurdles (15.38), 300 Hurdles (40.55)
- Boys 4×400 Relay — Chandler Thompson ’27, Quentin Smith ’28, Dean Hamilton ’27, Reid Bannister ’28 (3:25.43)
One of the most remarkable accomplishments of the season came from JR Fowler ’26, who set the all-time Tennessee state record in the hammer throw for juniors with a mark of 198-4.32.
Dominating the KIL Championships
Knoxville Catholic athletes made a major statement at the KIL Championships, recording 42 Top-8 finishes and capturing nine individual and relay championships.
Chloe Truss ’26 continued her historic season by setting meet records in both the 200m and 400m races, while the girls 4×200 relay team of Sarah Salsbery ’27, Juliet Biden ’27, Zymie’Rah Givens ’29, and Chloe Truss ’26 also established a new meet record performance.
Region Champions Rise to the Occasion
The Irish carried that momentum into the Region Championships, producing multiple regional champions and earning top team finishes.
Region Champions
- 🥇Chloe Truss ’26 — 400m
- 🥇Girls 4×200 Relay — Sarah Salsbery ’27, Juliet Biden ’27, Zymie’Rah Givens ’29, Chloe Truss ’26
- 🥇Charlotte Fowler ’29— Discus, Shot Put
- 🥇Quentin Smith ’28 — 400m
- 🥇Boys 4×400 Relay — Chandler Thompson ’27, Quentin Smith ’28, Dean Hamilton ’27, Reid Bannister ’28
- 🥇JR Fowler ’26 — Discus, Shot Put
State Championship Success
The season concluded with Knoxville Catholic athletes delivering exceptional performances on the state’s biggest stage.
The program celebrated 19 All-State athletes:
- Chloe Truss ’26
- Zymie’Rah Givens ’29
- Juliet Biden ’27
- Caitlin Daniels ’28
- Giselle Zayas ’27
- Jillian Hurley ’26
- Sarah Salsbery ’27
- Livi Ray ’28
- Drew Gerken ’28
- Olivia Garcia ’28
- Charlotte Fowler ’29
- Quentin Smith ’28
- Reid Bannister ’28
- Cade Duncanson ’27
- Chandler Thompson ’27
- Dean Hamilton ’27
- Radek Molchan ’26
- Warren Brown ’27
- JR Fowler ’26
Two Knoxville Catholic entries captured state championships:
- 🥇Girls 4×200 Relay — Sarah Salsbery ’27, Juliet Biden ’27, Zymie’Rah Givens ’29, Chloe Truss ’26
- 🥇JR Fowler ’26— Shot Put and Discus
A Season to Remember
From relay dominance and school records to state championships and historic individual performances, the 2026 season showcased the incredible talent, work ethic, and unity within Knoxville Catholic Track & Field.
The Fighting Irish and Lady Irish not only competed among the best in Tennessee — they helped define what excellence looks like.
