Faith Academy track teams place in top five at regional meet
JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF
HALLETSVILLE — The Faith Academy boys and girls track-and-field teams participated in what their coaches believe was the most competitive regional meet they’ve seen in years May 4.
The girls were the team runners-up thanks to scoring 88 points, while the boys finished fourth at the regional meet, which drew 20 teams.
“We ran relay times that have won us state in past years, now they barely get you a medal at region,” Lady Flames head coach Steve McCannon said. “I am excited. We managed to survive and advance enough spots to win state. The state meet will be competitive. Five or six teams have a legitimate shot to win it. I am extremely proud of the girls for dropping their times and performing at their best when it really counts.”
The Flames received season-best performances from sophomore Hanner Shipley, who hit a mark of 104 feet 8.5 inches in the discus.
And the 4×400-meter relay team posted a time of 3 minutes 40 seconds, the second best time of the season, and did it without senior Brian Freeman, the 400-meter district champion. Freeman suffered an injury, boys head coach Russ Roberts said.
“Freeman wasn’t in top physical health,” he said. “It’s why he didn’t win the quarter-mile. If we can get Brian healthy, you’ll see a physical effort out of him.”
But Roberts commended the runners who made up the relay: Jake Diamond, Jacob Metcalf, Asa Ortiz and Royale Brown.
“Asa had to run the best quarter-mile of his life to get us to (the state meet),” the coach said. “Royale had to up his level.”
The top four finishers in each event qualify for the state meet. The Lady Flames are seeking their fourth state title in seven years.
UP NEXT: Class 2A state meet of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools at Hart Patterson Track and Field Complex on the Baylor University campus, 300 S. 32nd St. in Waco
jfierro@thepicayune.com
[tabs style=”default”] [tab title=”BOYS RESULTS”]
100: (3) Brian Freeman, 11.85; 200: Royale Brown, 24.9; 400: (2) Freeman, 51.6; 300 hurdles: Asa Ortiz, 48.66; 4×200 relay: (5) Faith (Royale Brown, Jake Diamond, Jacob Metcalf, Asa Ortiz), 1:38.43; 4×400 relay: (2) Faith (Jake Diamond, Jacob Metcalf, Asa Ortiz, Royale Brown), 3:40; long jump: (6) Jake Diamond, 18-8.5; shot put: (1) Hanner Shipley, 44-2.75; discus: (6) Shipley, 104-8.5; pole vault: (2) Jake Diamond, 12-0
[/tab] [tab title=”GIRLS RESULTS”]
200: (6) Rachel Ormsby, 28.63; 400: (4) Juliette Fisher, 1:04.21; 800: (4) Christina Lykken, 2:32.27; 3,200: (6) Brandi Kuhlmann, 13:43; 100 hurdles: (6) Hailey Shipley, 18.71; 300 hurdles: (2) Kylie Cozby, 50.12, (6) Hailey Shipley, 52.55; 4×100 relay: (4) Faith (Sierra Brinkley, Rachel Ormsby, Kylie Cozby, Bailey Brinkley), 52.65; 4×200 relay: (3) Faith (Sierra Brinkley, Rachel Ormsby, KylieCozby, Bailey Brinkley), 1:52.26; 4×400 relay: (2) Faith (Sierra Brinkley, Juliette Fisher, Christina Lykken, Bailey Brinkley), 4:15.58 (new school record); high jump: (1) Juliette Fisher, 5-0 (tied school record); pole vault: (2t) Rebekah Graham, 7-6; triple jump: (2) Sarah Kiley, 33-9.25; long jump: (4) Sarah Kiley, 15-11.75
[/tab] [/tabs]