Local track and field teams have found success in a variety of events in the first half of the season. Whether it’s Hiwassee Dam dominating the Smoky Mountain Conference in the distance running events, or Murphy’s relay teams having strong showing in the first meets of the season, each team has had success in events in their first three meets of the season.
Andrews has had success in both the track and field events, with some athletes doing well in both. Kylie Donaldson has had success in the girls 100-meter dash, as well as the long jump and triple jump. She holds the season best in those three events for Andrews.
Donaldson had her best 100m dash time at the Hayesville meet on March 27. At the Robbinsville meet on April 3, she had her best result in the triple jump and long jump. Another Andrews athlete who has excelled in both track and field is Kaiya Ellis, who has the season-best result in the girls 100m hurdles and the high jump.
On the boys side for Andrews, Logan Shuler has been successful in field events, setting a new school record in the high jump. Samuel Preston has the season best in the 100m dash and triple jump. Isaac Patrick has been successful in the 200m dash and the long jump holding the season best in both.
William Wood has had strong showings in the field events, specifically discus and shot put. Jesus Jimenez has been successful in the both the 110m hurdles and 300m hurdles.
Andrews’ first three conference meets of the season were at home March 20, at Hayesville on March 27 and at Robbinsville on April 3. Wildcats track and field coach Reagan Lindsay said the team has performed well so far this season.
“The majority of athletes are consistently improving and reaching new personal records each week, and that is the best thing you can ask for as a coach,” he said.
Lindsay mentioned multiple athletes on both the boys and girls side that have stood out to him so far.
“Brady McLelland, a dependable athlete who has performed well in each event we’ve placed him in. Myca Mustin, an all-around great athlete and strong competitor. Sam Preston, in addition to being extraordinarily talented, has shown significant growth as a team leader and mentor,” he said.
“Kylie Donaldson, she has consistent, strong improvement in all her field events and continues to push herself to new accomplishments. Kaiya Ellis, a strong competitor and significant growth in her field events. Alexis Beasley, a dependable athlete who is always willing to take on the next challenge.”
Lindsay said he is looking forward to their last home meet Wednesday, April 24.
“Athletes tend to push their hardest at home competitions, when honor is on the line more than ever. That home meet will help decide what events we will put athletes in at the following week’s SMC meet,” he said.
Hiwassee Dam’s track and field team may be small, but the Eagles have had strong finishes this season. Distance runner Ethan Russell has been dominant, with multiple first-place finishes in the 1,600m and 3,200m runs. His season best in both came at the UNC Asheville High School Classic on March 30, where he ran a 4:39.28 1,600m (1-mile) and a 10:26.19 3,200m (2-mile) at that meet.
Russell also set a season best in the 800m run at the WNC Kickoff Invitational on March 7. His 800m and 1,600m times set new school records.
In the field events, Aiden Weaver set the season best in discus, while Dakota Landon set the season best in shot put at April 3 meet at Murphy. Also at the Murphy meet, Ava Pressley and Miranda Landon threw season bests in discus and shot put, respectively.
Due to the smaller team size, Hiwassee Dam generally doesn’t generate as many points as other conference teams. So far this season, they have competed in two meets, both at Murphy.
The Murphy track team has had a successful season through the first three conference meets. They have had success in track and field events on both the boys and girls side.
Breeze Hinton has stood out so far this season with have the season best on the team in the 300m hurdles, 1,600m run and high jump. Corrine Cotton has also stood out and has the season best in the 400m and 800m run.
Jordan Oliver has the school best in the 100m wheelchair, wheelchair discus and wheelchair shot put. She also holds school records in those events.
On the boys side Jake Miller has had strong performances in the distance runs with season bests in the 800m, 1,600m and 3,200m run. Camden Breazeale has been strong in the hurdles with season bests in the 110m hurdles and 300m hurdles, and also has the season best in high jump.
So far this season, the Bulldogs’ track and field team has competed in three meets, with two of those being at home on March 20 and April 3. The third meet they competed in was at Cherokee on March 27.
Tri-County Early College’s track and field team has had success in the distance running events with Fern Crayton having the season best in four events: 400m, 800, 1,600m and 3,200m runs. She also set those season best times at four different meets including two invitations and two conference meets.
Carley Pope also has had success in the spring events with holding the season best times in the 100m and 200m runs. To round out the season-best performances for the girls on the Tri-County track and field team, Jaden Crocker, Marah Jones and Autumn Fowler have had success in field events.
On the boys side for Tri-County, Landon Spies has had success in the distance events. He has the season best times in the 800m, 1,600m and 3,200m. At the Hayesville meet on March 27, Connor Arrowood set a school record in the 300m hurdles with a time of 49.14. At the same meet, Andrew White set a school record in discus.
This season, Tri-County has competed in three SMC meets: at Andrews on March 20, at Hayesville on March 27 and at Robbinsville on April 3. Tri-County head coach Mark Bolyard said his team has done well so far and working hard. He listed both returning athletes and newcomers that stand out to him.
“I feel like the returning runners are standing out the most, they are leading by example. For the boys: Sebastian Clevez, Landan Spies, Logan DiCicco. Girls: Fern Crayton, Jaden Crocker. Some of the newcomers standing out are boys – Elias Deaz-Menchu, Conner Arrowood and JB Bickham – and girls – Kadeesha Sudderth, Bryanna Jaime, Emma Smith,” Bolyard said.
They will be competing in the Blue Ridge Classic in Asheville on Saturday. Bolyard said there are supposed to be 30 or more teams there, and they are looking forward to the meet.
“For the kids that won’t be going to regionals, this will be their big meet like regionals,” he said.
On the conference track schedule, each team will compete in two more meets before the championship Wednesday, May 1. Today, Andrews and Nantahala will head to Swain County for the meet and Murphy, Hiwassee Dam and Tri-County will head to Hayesville.
On Wednesday, April 24, Andrews will host Hiwassee Dam, Nantahala and Tri-County and Murphy will head to Cherokee for the last regular season meet. On May 1, Cherokee will host the conference championship, with each team competing.
After the SMC champions are crowned, teams will head to Montreat College for the Western Regionals on Friday, May 10, or Saturday, May 11. The season will conclude Saturday, May 18, at the 1A state championship.