Tennessee track signee Eric Parker swept the hurdles events at the TSSAA Division I Large Class state track and field meet Thursday in Murfreesboro.MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Cleveland High School's Eric Parker dominated his classification's Spring Fling hurdles events Thursday.
The future Tennessee Volunteers runner won and set a Cleveland record in the 300-meter hurdles at 37.68 seconds and was nearly a full second ahead of the field with a 14.10 finish in the 110.
"Everything in life has a purpose," Parker said. "Last year I came in favored to win and I fell. We have mistakes we go through, and those help. You fall down, you get back up. You have another hurdle you have to jump over. That's why I love this event."
Parker made all-state in three Division I Large championship events to collect 24 points for the Blue Raiders, who finished in third place with 49 points behind Brentwood (77) and Whitehaven (51).
Brentwood had all of its points after the field events.
In the final jump of his Cleveland career, a distance of 23 feet, 3 inches won the long jump state championship for the flying David Dorsey. Dorsey set a personal record on his sixth leap and sprinted away in excitement after his distance was announced by the judge.
"Last year when I was at state I heard everyone else's name being called as state champions," said the Tennessee State University football signee, who had six interceptions last season. "I wanted to become known and grinded every day.
"I ran to school every day. I didn't need a car ride. I went hard and worked out behind closed doors. If you want it, you have to go after it and get it."
Despite falling just short of their runner-up finish last year, the Blue Raiders left no regrets as they finished off a strong season.
"Eric came out and made a statement. He left no doubt today and showed his tremendous ability," Cleveland coach Adam Renshaw said. "It was awesome to see David end his high school track career, too, with his best jump ever. He has a ton of energy and is a super hard worker."
Dorsey was also a part of the 4x100 relay team with Zylon Cooper, Kees Traarda and Jeffrey Perez that finished close to a meet-record time at 41.76 for second place.
Walker Valley sophomore Skyy Craig followed up an all-state decathlon performance with fourth- and third-place finishes in the 100 and 300 hurdles. Lady Mustang Sophie Frederick took third in the discus with a personal record of 120-6.
Red Bank senior and Ole Miss signee Cole Bullock finished third in the mile at 4:16.45 and did not compete in the 3200.
East Hamilton brought home its first state championship in school history as sophomore Aaron Young and partner Wesley Mason won the unified 100-meter dash relay.
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.