Before the track season even began, Tyner junior Karontae' Cunningham had already set a lofty goal for himself.
“I already knew before the season started, I already knew I was a state champion,†Cunningham said.
That confidence paid off.
The Chattanooga native delivered one of the most impressive performances at this year's Tennessee State Track and Field Championships, winning four state titles and helping lead the Tyner Rams to the school's first-ever state championship in track and field.
Cunningham competed in the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash, 400-meter dash, and the 4×100-meter relay race, and brought home gold in each one.
His standout performance included a blazing 10.15 finish in the 100m, making him the top-ranked runner in Tennessee in the event.
In the 200m, he ran an impressive 21.03. This performance helped him earn the second-fastest time in the event in the state this year.
In the 400m, he clocked a time of 48.10.
What's even more remarkable is that Cunningham has only been competing in track and field for three years, and just last year, he brought home a state champion title in the 100m as a freshman.
“It for sure felt great,†Cunningham said. “With hard work, it wasn't nothing I wasn't expecting.â€
The state championship marked a historic milestone for Tyner, which is celebrating its first track and field title in the school's 119-year history.
“It means a lot,†Cunningham said. “We worked hard every day.â€
But Cunningham's athletic success isn't limited to the track.
The rising junior has also become a key contributor on the football field. According to Tyner Head Football Coach Christian Mainor, Cunningham emerged as a playmaker during the Rams' playoff run last season.
“He started the last five games for us last year and had four touchdowns in our playoff run,†Mainor said. “That was just a small glimpse of what I think you're going to see this year from him.â€
His talent has already attracted attention from college programs. In recent weeks, Cunningham has received football scholarship offers from Mercer University, the University of Colorado, and Bowling Green State University.
“I told Coach when I first heard it, I wanted to do a back flip, so I was very excited,†said Cunningham.
Despite his athletic accomplishments, Mainor says Cunningham's character is what stands out most.
“He's a phenomenal young man, works hard off the field, on the field, does well in the classroom,†Mainor said.
