Racing to the Finish Line: Cross Country at CDHS
Article By: Kiptyn Ball and Nathan Casillas
Photographs By: BKMedia
Videos By: Dani Shelton
Edited By: Kaleo Toscanodulanto
Published By: Harrison Ayers
The 2026 cross-country season is underway at Chuckey-Doak High School. The Black Knights compete across Tennessee as they work through a season focused on preparation, competition, and improvement. Chuckey-Doak competes in TSSAA athletics.
The Chuckey-Doak cross country team is led by Becca May and consists of different student-athletes from each grade. The roster consists of Benjamin Merril, Landon Thomas, Diego Benitez, Channing White, and Collin Lovins. The TSSAA records show Chuckey-Doak competing in boys’ cross country. All of the runners have been working in the off-season to improve as runners and better athletes.
Early-season meets give runners a chance to compete against other schools while getting comfortable with race conditions.
Chuckey-Doak’s first meet was at Fenders Farm against David Crockett High School. Our Runners who placed were Deigo Benitez (67th), Channing White (69th), and Benjamin Merril (20th). The Black Knight cross country team runs with one goal in mind: to qualify for the TSSAA XC DI Class AA Region 1 Meet and make it to the TSSAA State Cross Country Championship in Memphis, TN.
With more races ahead, the Black Knights will look to continue developing throughout the season. On September 8th, 2026, the Black Knights competed at Walters State Community College for the 2026 Senators Classic. All of the Black Knights ran with a state-qualifying mindset, showing how hard they work in practice each day. Cross Country requires individual effort while also relying on the team as a whole, making every practice and meet an opportunity for the runners to improve and contribute.
Overall, the 2026 Chuckey-Doak cross country season is about putting in the work, competing with surrounding schools, and continuing to improve throughout the year. As the season moves toward the postseason, the Black Knights will have more chances to test themselves and see how far their hard work can take them.
Vloggers: Kiptyn Ball and Nathan Casillas
Chuckey-Doak High School
365 Ripley Island Rd, Afton, TN
(423) 798-2636
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