BY MIKE BLACKERBY
Greeneville coach Larry Blalock thought he might have something special on his hands after watching Trey Bailey as a 10th grader at the state cross-country meet.
Bailey took a nasty spill and was spiked after getting caught up in a logjam at the one-mile mark on the sport’s biggest stage.
No problem.
Bailey scrambled to his feet, gathered his faculties and rallied to finish the 5K race in 15 minutes, 53.06 seconds – less than 10 seconds behind winner Jaden Hillis (15:43.48) of Liberty Creek.
What an amazing recovery.
“After falling down in that race and finishing third in the state as a sophomore I knew he was going to be really good,” said Blalock.
“He’s very highly self motivated.”
Bailey said that race served him well, despite taking a spill.
“In the back of my mind I felt like if I hadn’t fallen I would have had a shot at winning,” Bailey recalled.
“That (race) taught me a lot.”
Indeed it did.
Just look at what Bailey, the 2025 5Star Preps Boys Cross-Country Runner of the Year, accomplished during his junior year.
There were no falls and no doubt about the outcome in the state Class AA meet in Memphis this time.
Bailey toured the Shelby Parks Farm course in 15:12.89 in November to coast to an easy 26-second victory.
Earlier in the season Bailey broke the Greeneville school record by running 15:01.14 at the national-level Jesse Owens Classic.
It was performances like those that elevated Bailey’s standing in Tennessee cross-country annals, even with another year to go.
The bar has been set super high.
“I’d say he has already put himself in elite-runner status,” said Blalock.
“We’re looking to go to one or two bigger meets next year. We want to get him to some stronger competitions and give him something to push him. Next year we’re shooting for 14:30 and we’ll see what happens.”
Bailey has already focused on several goals for 2026.
“Next year on the state level we as a team are shooting for a state title,” said Bailey.
“Hopefully, next year I can also focus more on some national races. I’d like to be top five at Nike and top 10 at Brooks and make some good, lasting memories.”
Bailey just missed qualifying for both national events this season.
He placed 12th at both the Brooks South Regional (15:09.53) and the NXR Southeast Regional (15:16.60).
Whether it’s cross-country or the classroom, Bailey said self-motivation or the drive to get better is never a problem.
He scored a 36 on his ACT and maintains a 4.0 grade-point average.
“I like to do things to the best extent I can,” said Bailey.
Blalock said he has no doubt Bailey can take his running to another level next season.
“He trains hard, his nutrition is fantastic and he studies the sport more than any kid I’ve ever had,” said Blalock.
“We’ve got some lofty goals for him next year.”