Bell Buckle, TN – Abby Faith Cheeseman, a senior at The Webb School in Bell Buckle, TN etched her name into Tennessee sports history this past Friday (Nov. 8, 2024) by winning the Division II State Championship in cross country. This victory marks her fifth consecutive state championship in varsity cross country, an unprecedented achievement in the history of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA).

 

“It feels pretty surreal,” stated Cheeseman. “This breaks Rebbeca Story’s record, and knowing that I’m following that legacy is really special.” Cheeseman’s victory adds to her remarkable legacy in the sport, and with her high school career now complete, she is set to continue her running journey as a scholarship athlete at the University of Virginia next school year.

 

The Webb School’s girls cross country team also had a strong performance at the state finals in Hendersonville, securing the Division II State Runner-Up trophy. Their hard work and dedication have made them one of the most competitive teams in the state, with Cheeseman at the helm.

 

The Webb School, founded in 1870 by Sawney Webb in Culleoka, Tennessee, and later moved to Bell Buckle, is the South’s oldest continuously operating boarding school. With a focus on academic rigor and personal development, the school has produced more Rhodes Scholars than any other secondary school in the U.S. Originally a boys' school, Webb began allowing local girls to attend as day students and later became fully coeducational in 1973. Today, the school continues its proud tradition of excellence on its 145-acre campus in Bell Buckle, preparing students for success both academically and in athletics.