With track and field title, Harpeth Hall claims record-breaking fifth state championship of the school year

The Honeybears made history this week.

Behind the sprinting, jumping, strength, and perseverance of its track and field athletes, Harpeth Hall claimed the DII Class AA girls state championship.

The victory marked the TSSAA-record 17th team track and field title in Harpeth Hall school history, and the school’s first since 2016. 

The winning performance also made school history as Harpeth Hall’s fifth state championship of the school year. Track and field joined soccer, cross country, riflery, and lacrosse as the best girls teams in the state of Tennessee.

“If sports teaches us nothing else, it should teach us the value of teamwork,” Harpeth Hall Athletic Director Kylene Lee said. “History was made because of our community's ability to work as a team. From the athletes, student body, parents, coaches, and administration — all of us moved together in a direction that has put Harpeth Hall athletics on the map both for today and for years to come.”

The day's track and field events felt like a marathon — even in the sprints. The state meet competition stretched from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., but the persistence of the Harpeth Hall team never tapered. Nineteen athletes competed to bring home a true team championship that saw the Bears score points in 16 out of 19 events.

Harpeth Hall’s senior captain Sabrina Russell paced the field scoring points for Harpeth Hall in five individual events — a feat accomplished for only the second time in the history of Harpeth Hall at the state track meet. Her appearances included second place finishes in the pentathlon and high jump, third place in the 300-meter hurdles, and fourth in both the shot put and 100-meter hurdles.

Junior Bella Guillamondegui was a two-event winner, crossing the finish line first in the 800- and 1,600-meter distance runs.

In the end, the Honeybears ran away with 121 points and the state title, besting second-place Ensworth which finished with 105.5 points. Baylor School was third with 80 points.

Harpeth Hall has won four state championships in a school year twice in school history. Never before this week had the Honeybears won five state championships in a single school year.

“We had 19 girls who started this process over five months ago and their hard work and consistency paid off,” Harpeth Hall Track and Field Coach Jim Romero said. “... This team is committed, young, and talented, and we are excited for what the future holds.”

Harpeth Hall State Championship History

Harpeth Hall has won four state championships in a school year twice in school history. The 2021-2022 season marks the first time the Honeybears have claimed five state championships in a single school year. Read more about each of this year's victories with the links below.

2001-2002: Cross country, volleyball, swimming and diving, and track and field

2003-2004: Cross country, swimming and diving, lacrosse, track and field

2021-2022: Soccer, cross country, riflery, lacrosse, track and field

Storied Track and Field Success 

• Harpeth Hall formed its first track team in 1972 (the year Title IX became law)
• Track and field has won 17 state titles — adding to its TSSAA record total: 1975, 1976, 1980, 1981, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2014, 2016, 2022