Not many teams have experienced the success that Hermitage runners have had in the past few years.
Back-to-back cross country and 4×800-meter relay championships.
There’s a secret to Hermitage’s running success.
“We have a hill called the ‘Dam Hill’ and it’s gnarly,” said Hermitage senior Bennett Mantooth.
The Hornets run ‘The Hill” a couple of times a week.
“I just believe it’s cross country and you have to challenge them. Most places you go it’s a golf course or around a school, it’s pretty flat and so hill work makes you strong,” said Hermitage cross country and track coach Mark Sabala.
In less than 20 years as a program, Hermitage has five cross-country titles. Two of which Bennett Mantooth was a big part of.
“It chokes you up we were like, ‘Yes, we finally did it. We finally won the title,’” Mantooth said.
Before his title-winning ways, Bennett reluctantly started running in middle school.
“My friend he was like ‘Benny boy you really have to do it, just get to the first meet that’s all you have to do,’” Bennett said. “I was very wary about it, but I decided I wanted to do the 100-meter hurdles in 7th grade, and I was like ‘That was awesome.’ Ever since then, I’ve been hooked.”
It’s not just running that hooked Bennett.
“Just this last year I did pole vault a lot, I did the 4×800-meter relay every race, I did the 300-meter hurdles every race, the 110-meter hurdles I’d get thrown into,” Bennett said. “I do the 4×200-meter relay, I do the 200-meter dash and the high jump.”
While doing so many events, the senior holds five school records.
“He’s a kid that likes to compete, he does not like to lose, and he wants to be the best. No matter where I put him, he’s going to work at it,” Sabala said.
From sprints to hurdles to distance; Bennett’s versatility makes sense when he said, “I really want to be a heptathlete or decathlete.”
Those dreams don’t seem so far away for those who’ve grown up with the track star.
“Anything that he does that he loves and has a passion for he really pushes for it, works for it and he loves doing that,” said Hermitage senior Justus Yates.
This fall, Bennett’s got his eyes set on another cross-country title. Next Spring, he’s searching for more.
“I’d love to try to compete in throwing the discus and shot put. I’d like to do triple jump and long jump,” Bennett said.
Sounds like a busy track season is on the way for Hermitage’s future decathlete.
