Faith Academy girls track adds No. 14 to trophy case

The Faith Academy of Marble Falls girls track and field team won its 14th district title April 11 thanks to scoring points in every event.

“I am proud of them competing as a team, especially our athletes that finished fifth to eighth and did not qualify (for the regional meet),” head coach Steve McCannon said. “This was a much larger and competitive district meet than years past, so we had to be ready and not assume anything.”

Leading the way was freshman Sidney Solomon, who qualified for regionals in five events.

“Sidney is ready to compete,” McCannon said. “(Assistant) coach Cedric Griffin has done an outstanding job with preparing her in all her events.”

He also was happy for senior Morgan Weems.

“Morgan had a tough day in discus and did not get out. The winner threw 117 feet and competition was there and sometimes, we just don’t have it,” he said. “Morgan came back and picked up second in the shot put. Morgan will take care of business and get on the podium at state.”

This marked the third meet the Lady Flames have won this season.

“We have a young team with many new to track,” McCannon said. “They get the team concept. I am really  happy for this senior class of girls; they went 4-0 at district meets.”

The boys team performed well, too, he said.

“We didn’t have the numbers to get in contention (for the team district championship),” the coach said. “What we did qualify can make it to state. This was a larger, tougher district than years past. We will look to gain experience for the future.“

Beau Steele led the Flames.

“Beau had a nice win in the 800 and had to run cautiously as he was not 100 percent,” McCannon said. “He came back in the 4×400 (relay) and was able to help us get second place and qualified. I think he can get himself in position at state to win and set our school record. Beau works hard and competes.”

The coach warned not to discount the team’s 1,600-meter relay.

“Our boys 4×400 knocks off a couple of seconds each week,” he said. “We have a legitimate shot at state. I am really proud of this set of guys.”

As competitive as the district meet was, McCannon believes the competition gets better at the regional meet in Seguin April 26.

“We must improve and get ready to compete,” he said. “There will be no free passes to state. We will fine tune and be ready. (Tomball) Rosehill (Christian) has a strong team, and we must qualify for everything we can to find a way on the podium at state.”

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RESULTS

Boys

400 — 3, Andrew Huoy, 53.92; 800 — 1, Beau Steele, 2:08.88; 4×200 — 5, Faith Academy (Seattle Hampton. Asher Apel, Andrew Huoy, Will Slyker), 1:41.44; 4×400 — 2, Faith Academy (Asher Apel, Noah Frederick, Andrew Huoy, Beau Steele), 3:40.21; pole vault — 6, Nathan Tarver, 6-0; triple jump — 6, Will Slyker, 38-01.25 

Girls

100 — 6, Haley Kruger, 13.51; 200 — 4, Haley Kruger, 27.93; 400 — 4, Zoe Rhoads, 68.74, 7, Reese Ramsey, 69.36; 800 — 2, Claire Poage, 2:43.55, 3, Taelyn Wendt, 2:44.09, 4, Reese Ramsey, 2:44.88; 1,600 — 5, Claire Poage, 6:32.13, 6, Mcklayne Apel, 6:36.34, 8, Audri Poage, 6:57.09; 3,200 — 5, Mcklayne Apel, 14:55.68, 6, Audri Poage, 15:10.84; 100 hurdles — 2, Sidney Solomon, 17.29; 300 hurdles — 1, Sidney Solomon, 51.06; 4×100 — 2, Faith Academy (Charlee Ehrig, Kenley Virdell, Anabelle Merlick, Haley Kruger), 53.34; 4×200 — 4, Faith Academy (Ava Beltran, Kenley Virdell, Anabelle Merlick, Charlee Ehrig), 1:56.04; 4×400 — 2, Faith Academy (Anabelle Merlick, Sidney Solomon, Reese Ramsey, Carly Owens), 4:29.57; triple jump — 3, Sidney Solomon, 33-6; long jump — 4, Haley Kruger, 15-5, 5, Zoe Rhoads, 15-3.5; pole vault — 4, Claire Poage, 8-0, 5, Audri Poage, 6-6; high jump — 2, Sidney Solomon, 4-10; shot put — 2, Morgan Weems, 33-3, 6, Kenley Virdell, 28-10, 7, Charlee Ehrig, 25-9; discus — 5, Morgan Weems, 93-5