Panther women’s track are champions of the 3A West.
After winning men’s and women’s titles at the Mountain Seven Conference meet April 30, on May 10, both teams traveled to North Iredell for the 3A West Regional. With a third-straight regional title from the girls and a third-place finish from the boys, both squads punched their tickets to Greensboro for the 3A state meet.
“We had a pretty good showing,” said head coach Matt Harlfinger. “I’m pretty sure there’s 34 teams in our region, and for three years in a row our girls have been number one, so that’s something that we’re really proud of – just the consistency there. There’s an ebb and a flow to it – year-to-year it’s really anybody’s game – and for the last three years it’s been our game, so I’m really proud of the girls.”
With 15 individuals and three relay teams competing, Franklin entered the meet with one of the region’s strongest teams. With standout performances from several different Panthers, they proved they’re still one of the top teams in the state.
“We had a couple of individuals that did really well – we’ve got eight girls that are going to the state track meet,” said Harlfinger. “Michelle Ortega finished fourth in the 400-meter dash with a PR [personal record], and that moved her up to sixth all-time in our school history books. Laura Covarrubias had herself a day ... she was able to win the long jump, she took first place in the 300-meter hurdles, she was second place in the 100 hurdles, and she finished fifth in the 100-meter dash. ... She’s going to head into the state meet ranked number two in the 300 hurdles.”
With a whopping 32 points, outscoring all but seven teams at the meet as an individual, Covarrubias will enter this Friday’s state meet as one of 3A’s best all-around athletes. Elsewhere on the roster, several other Panthers also impressed.
“Our girls [4x100-meter] relay advanced; we finished fourth with Anna Timan, Michelle Ortega, Kai Pelletier and Channing Ray,” said Harlfinger. “Justus Bradford was the regional runner-up in the high jump – she tied her personal best, and took some really good jumps at that next bar. ... Kamden Reis actually finished number two on our team in points scored – she finished second in the triple jump and third in the long jump. ... Charley Seagle also advanced to the state meet in the shot put; this is the fourth year in a row she’s been able to do that. She’s never not finished in the top four at the regional meet, and she’s one of the best we’ve ever had to do it.”
In qualifying for their eighth state meets between indoor and outdoor, Seagle and Covarrubias capped incredible four-year streaks as Franklin’s senior thunder-and-lightning duo. On the boys side, several other Panthers turned in impressive days.
“Noah Brannon – some people would say he came out of nowhere, but we’ve kind of been talking about this moment all year long – Noah Brannon was the regional champion in the high jump,” said Harlfinger. “I think he went into the meet ranked sixth, but he’s one of the best high jumpers I’ve ever seen. ... He found his way to the top of the podium and actually earned himself a spot at WCU [Western Carolina University] next year – they called him at the track meet and offered him a spot on their roster, so he’s gonna get to continue his high jump career. ... He gets to be a college athlete now because of one track meet.”
In just his first season with Panther track following a stellar career in basketball, Brannon has quickly grown into one of the team’s best jumpers. In the pole vault, Franklin continued multiple years of dominance.
“In the boys pole vault we did exactly what we’ve done for the last couple years – we really do have one of the best pole vault programs in the state,” said Harlfinger. “Aaron Dewhurst was the regional champion – he cleared 13’6”, and he’ll go into the state meet ranked second overall. Adam and David Rogers finished second and third – David Rogers also cleared 13’6”, so he’s going to go into the state meet also tied for second, and Adam’s personal best ever is 14 feet, and that is the number one mark in the state. So, we’ve got three boys that really have an opportunity to not only find their way onto the podium, but ... I like our chances to maybe have one of them standing at the very top.”
Following the 3A West Regional, the Panthers will travel to N.C. Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro May 15 for the 3A state meet the next day.