The run for the gold begins in earnest today as high school athletes from all across the state gather in Murfreesboro for the annual Spring Fling festivities. Participants in all spring sports from baseball to track and field have worked all season long in preparation for this week and the particular moment when their turn to shine at the top of the winner’s podium arrives.

More than 20 athletes from Bradley Central, Cleveland and Walker Valley are in Middle Tennessee this week to test their skills with the best Tennessee has to offer.

Walker Valley’s Trent Nunnelly and Gabby Cader will be particularly busy in the decathlon and pentathlon. Nunnelly will give his all in the boy’s decathlon and Cader will put her skills to the test in the girl’s pentathlon. Nunnelly will also run the 400 meter dash as well as relay events for the Mustangs. Cader will also participate in the triple jump, long jump, 100 meter hurdles and 400 meter dash. Cleveland’s Jessica King will also give it a go in the long jump as will the Lady Mustangs’ Lindsay Belk.

Kristen Picket, from Cleveland and Miranda Broesche, of Walker Valley, will stand at the line in the girl’s shot put event while Walker Valley’s Ben Burrell will hurl the discus for the Mustangs.

On the boy’s side, the Bears’ James Stovall will go for the gold in the high jump and triple jump while Aaron Hutson will attempt new heights in the pole vault.

In boys track events, Jared Gregory will run for the Mustangs in the 800 meter run. Paul Patterson will represent the Bears in the 3,200 meter run with Rue Goldston running the 110 meter hurdles and Justin Houston will be racing in the 300 meter hurdles. Steven Dodd will put himself to the test in the 200 meter dash. Cleveland’s Lashaun Porter will set himself against the field in the 110 meter hurdles.

In girls competition, Victoria Yates will run for the Lady Mustangs in the 3,200 meter run along with Bradley Central’s Jacquelin Pitcock and Cleveland’s Beka Day. Pitcock will also run in the 1,600 meter. Q’Schara Brown will carry the Lady Raiders’ banner in the 100 meter dash.

On the tennis court, the Cleveland girl’s team will make a run at the gold beginning with Ravenwood. The Lady Raiders’ Kelsey Cantrell will be going for a singles title in individual competition.