Preview: Bullock, Neglia Headline KYA Indoor


The first indoor meet in Tennessee kicks off this weekend.

The KYA HS Indoor Classic is a big competition for many athletes in East Tennessee, North Carolina and Kentucky. It's a benchmark for the rest of the indoor season. 

For many distance runners, this meet marks the transition from cross country to track. And for a few talented East Tennesseans, it's a chance to open their seasons off right.

Cole Bullock, Sasha Neglia and Jeb Jones are all entered in this year's meet, as they hope to continue on their momentum from the fall.

In the boys mile, Bullock and Jones will compete with a few out-of-state athletes. Georgia standouts Devan Crow (4:18) and Myles Collins (4:22) join the East Tennessee duo in a talented field of boys milers. 17 athletes enter that race seeded under 4:40. 

Bullock enters the meet seeded at 4:16. He ran 4:14 for a 1600 at last year's section two large school championship in May. Last fall, Bullock ran the top time in Tennessee for the cross country season, winning Cherokee Classic in 14:54. So he could be primed for a huge breakthrough this track season.

Jones, a Samford signee, also had a huge fall. He finished fifth at the Division I Large Schools State Championship. Jones also set a new personal best of 15:26 when he finished 18th at Great American. We're expecting big things from him this season too.

Bullock could be very busy on Saturday morning. He is also entered in the 800 meter run, where he's the top seed (1:57.90)

Sasha Neglia is also entered in the 800. The Nike Cross Country Nationals All-American is seeded at 2:17.

Her personal best in the event came nearly two years ago. She finished second at the Hardin Valley Invite back in March of 2017. This will be a good chance for her to set a new personal best and open up the track season. She'll be pushed by Julia Karsten & Katy Neubert. Cookeville sophomore Landri Wilcox could also be in that front group as well.

In the sprints, there's an outstanding matchup in the boys 60 meter hurdles to kick things off.

Brevin Sims and Eric Parker, two of Chattanooga's top hurdlers, will square off in one of the best races of the day. Both athletes have performed well at the state outdoor meet the past couple of seasons. This race will be a great opportunity to kick off the season well against familiar competition.

The girls 400 meter dash will feature a clash of talented sprinters and distance runners looking to test their skills at a shorter distance. Jasmine Jefferson and Alayah Dozier come in as the favorites, but expect Hardin Valley distance standout Ellie Bachmann to hang around as well. These early-season meets are a great opportunity for distance runners to try a new distance. Plus, it can be fun and less stressful to try a sprint event.

Georgia pole vaulter Stephen Smith highlights the field event athletes in this year's meet. 

Smith was a state champion last year with a jump of 14-0. His PR of 14-2 came last March. Brentwood Academy state champion Victoria Caldwell will also compete in the field. She's seeded third in the girls shot put and first in the weight throw. 

We'll update all of the field and running events as they happen tomorrow at East Tennessee State University. Follow us on twitter (@tnmilesplit) or on Facebook (Tennessee Milesplit) for up to the minute results and videos. 

We're excited to get indoor underway!