GRAY DEYOSports Writer

A sophomore on the Tullahoma High School track team, Brindley Duncan, broke a school record that had been held for 48 years at THS.

“I’ve mentioned this to someone else. You can coach mechanics. There are training plans and workouts at the tip of anyone’s fingers who has access to the internet. What you can’t coach is heart. Everyone who competes in anything WANTS to win. But what separates Brindley from the others is her heart. Her willingness to accept the pain that comes with digging deep. As long as that willingness is present, there will always be a separation between her and other high school runners,” said head coach of Tullahoma track Chris Clemens regarding Duncan’s work ethic and what separates her from other high school runners.

Duncan and the rest of the Tullahoma team competed at Franklin County in Sub-Sectionals on April 24. Duncan competed in both the long jump and 800m. She was able to qualify for Sectionals in each event (the Sectional meet will be on May 8 at Fairview High School). Duncan, now with a couple of more accomplishments to add to her young running career, was still not satisfied. Her parents and Coach Clemens hopped in a car after the event and drove down to Nashville, where she then competed in the Great 8 Invitational at Lipscomb Academy.

The heart that Duncan has to thrive in this sport was on full display at the Great 8.

In the event, she competed in the 800m once again, and this is where she etched her name into the Tullahoma track history book. With a time of 2:15.22, she set a new record for the fastest female 800m time for Tullahoma track. This broke the previous record that Phyllis Hines set for Tullahoma in 1977 with a time of 2:15.9. 

“Brindley is only limited by Brindley. I believe we can drop the record below 2:10 before she graduates. But Brindley has to believe it to make it happen.  Referring back to the two principles: process over results, and know that the process is going to hurt and be uncomfortable.

Anything of worth comes with a price of discomfort. Without it, it’s not actually worth much,” said Coach Clemens on what the ceiling is for Duncan as a runner.

With two more years left, for the talented sophomore, there is a huge window of opportunity to add more trophies and record times to an already impressive resume, and she has all the tools to do it.

Speed, willingness to work, and most importantly, her heart.

Keep your eye on the 2027 graduate. She is making her mark already for the Tullahoma track team.