Here's what they had to say about the Bruins:
3. Brentwood TN. The Bruins have Brody Chapman coming back from a fifth-place finish in the state cross country final last year and the team could very well push up into a NXN qualifying position. Sophomore Callahan Fielder, senior Connor Vanderkolk, sophomore Wyatt Hamilton, junior Robert Pautienus and freshman Kehler Vaughn are all important pieces moving forward into a competitive Tennessee season.
5. Brentwood TN. The Bruins have demonstrated that when they win one Tennessee state crown, usually another follows, capturing back-to-back Class AAA titles in 2003-04, then winning a Large Class championship in 2020 and adding another AAA victory last season. Brentwood is now seeking a three-peat for the first time in program history, in addition to its pursuit to become the first Tennessee girls team to qualify for Nike Cross Nationals. Although the Bruins placed 28th at the RunningLane Championships in Alabama, they did so with multiple underclassmen in the lineup, providing the motivation to reach another level of performance this year. Sophomores Lydia Cromwell and Rachel Haws didn't back down on the biggest stage last season, leading Brentwood's performance in Huntsville after contributing to a 75-96 victory over Farragut in the Class AAA state final. Seniors Brooke Tyll and Lola Baker, as well as juniors Peyton Strauss and Annmarie Stallman, plus sophomores Hailey Parker and Scarlett Spender provide the Bruins with several roster options, in addition to the potential for more depth with the contributions of freshmen twin sisters Lauren Banovac and Lia Banovac. Brentwood will learn plenty about its postseason potential during a three-week stretch competing outside Tennessee, including a return trip Sept. 17 to John Hunt Park for the Southern Showcase, followed by Sept. 23 at the Wingfoot Classic and Oct. 1 at the Jesse Owens Classic.