For years, cross country athletes have had to listen to their coaches go on and on about slowing down in the warm-up or not racing in practice. They use famous quotes like "there are no 1 mile champions in a 5k race" or "you can't win anything by being first in the warmups." Well times are changing!
On a cool late summer afternoon a new champion was born at Lincoln High School in Tallahassee. Mixed in with elites like freshmen phenom Alyson Churchill and team leaders Clayton Carlson and Josh Liles was an aspiring young freshman.
Tanner Maddox had dreams of proving the critics wrong. He had tested the waters many times and knew that in the right moment he could capture the elusive title of Warm-Up Champion. As the team came out to the track to begin warming up, he spotted cheerleaders practicing for the upcoming football game. There were a few random students cutting through the track area to head home. Coach Sumner even had both his kids out at practice. Today was the day.
As the athletes slowly made their way around the track Tanner positioned himself up front with the leaders. Clayton and Josh tried to control Tanner and ruin his dream, telling him to slow down, but not today, Tanner couldn't be stopped. As they made the last turn, Tanner took off.
The cheerleaders lined up to cheer him on, the camera started recording, and Tanner Maddox became the first ever Lincoln High School Warm-up Champion.