Panther track and field is back after nearly three weeks away.
After the WNC Kickoff Invitational at WCU March 24, Melissa Ward and Matt Harlfinger’s teams enjoyed a kind of extended Spring Break. At the Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School April 13, Franklin dodged rainclouds to return to action versus four other area schools.
On the women’s side, two Panthers earned multiple event wins, led by junior Rylee Cassada in the 100-meter dash (13.58 seconds) and 400-meter dash (1:03.54), and sophomore Addison Coker in the 100-meter hurdles (17.78) and triple jump (34’3.25”).
In the 300-meter hurdles, sophomore Laura Covarrubias finished first in 45.94 seconds, while fellow sophomore Maddie Breeden took home the high jump with a 4’9” leap. In the throwing events, sophomore Charlie Seagle impressed as usual, taking second in both the discus throw (102’5”) and shot put (34’10”). Junior Claire Ballard finished third in the discus just inches shy of Seagle (102’0”) and earned second in the 400-meter dash (1:05.81).
On the men’s side, Franklin finished first in most of the day’s events, led by junior Elijah Cochran in the 200-meter dash (22.88), 110-meter hurdles (16.16) and long jump (20’1”). Senior Cal Drake won the other two jumping events, clearing 6’5” in the high jump and 41’10” in the triple jump.
In the throwing events, seniors Aiden Stewart and Seth Brewer impressed, with Stewart winning the discus throw (127’5”) and Brewer taking home the shot put (50’0”). In the 100-meter dash, senior Isaiah Roots earned an event win for Franklin (11.32), while sophomore Talon Smith won the 300-meter hurdles (44.00).
In addition to winning their events, the Panthers continued their year-long revision of the FHS record book, turning in a whopping 15 performances that ranked among the 10 best in school history.
In the men’s 4x100-meter relay, Cochran, Drake, Roots and freshman Jason Mesa set a new school record with a tie of 43.53. The women’s 4x100 relay was not far behind, turning in the second-fastest time in school history with a 51.06. Covarrubias’s 300-meter hurdle and Drake’s high jump were also the second-best in school history in those events, while Cochran’s 200-meter dash ranked third. Brewer’s shot put and Seagle’s discus throw were good for fourth.