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Casseus, Jones excel to lead Cleveland boys to second-place finish at state track meet [photos]

iUmbrellas provide the shade at Dean Hayes Track and Field Stadium on the campus of Middle Tennessee State Univeristy during the TSSAA Spring Fling action in Murfreesboro, Tenn. on May 24, 2018.
iUmbrellas provide the shade at Dean Hayes Track and Field Stadium on the campus of Middle Tennessee State Univeristy during the TSSAA Spring Fling action in Murfreesboro, Tenn. on May 24, 2018. iUmbrellas provide the shade at Dean Hayes Track and Field Stadium on the campus of Middle Tennessee State Univeristy during the TSSAA Spring Fling action in Murfreesboro, Tenn. on May 24, 2018.

By Stephen Hargis 2 min read

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Benjedi Casseus began wearing neon yellow socks and matching cleats in middle school as a way for his parents – from their seats in the stands – to identify him among other runners at track meets.

The easiest way to locate Cleveland High School’s talented senior athlete now is to simply look at the front of the pack of hurdlers.

Casseus ran a personal-best time of 13.99 seconds in the 110-meter hurdles Thursday evening at the TSSAA Division I Large Class track and field meet to win his second straight state championship, then narrowly finished second in the 300 hurdles.

“When I was younger and my parents would come to meets, they always had a hard time figuring out which kid was me,” Casseus said with a laugh. “So I figured if I wore some loud, neon-colored socks and shoes, they could see me a lot easier.”

Casseus entered the race with the fourth-fastest time, behind junior teammate Eric Parker, who had the state’s fastest qualifying time. But Parker clipped the final hurdle and stumbled at the finish. Moments later, Casseus consoled his teammate.