Lady Flames track and field team finish in state’s top 10

Lady Flames track and field team finish in state’s top 10 Jennifer Fierro Special To The Highlander Tue, 05/07/2024 - 02:52 Image

• The 2024 Faith Academy track and field team ends its season at the Class 3A state meet. The participants are Carly Owens (front row, left) Audri Poage, Anabelle Merlick, Charlee Ehrig, Claire Poage, Morgan Weems, head coach Steve McCannon; assistant coach Jay Silvers (back row, left) Kenley Virdell, Reese Ramsey, Sidney Solomon, Ana Beltran, Zoe Rhoads, Landyn Pfeiffer, Taelyn Wendt, Haley Kruger and assistant coach Cedric Griffin. Contributed photo
• Saturday, May 4, at the Burnet County Rodeo Association 2024 Scholarship Pageant Addison Steele, Baylee Steele, and Harley Brady warmed up in the arena.
• Saturday, May 4, at the Burnet County Rodeo Association 2024 Scholarship Pageant contestants (back) Hayden McCombs, Harley Brady, Zoe Ward (exhibitor), (middle) Ella MacFarland, Addison Steele, (front) Jade Simon, Baylee Steele and Aria Parks posed in their western wear.
• (back) Hayden McCombs, Harley Brady, Trinity Frazier, Zoe Ward (front) Jade Simon, Ella MacFarland, Baylee Steele, Addison Steele, and Aria Parks posed in their fashion show outfits Saturday May 4, at the Burnet County Rodeo Association 2024 Scholarship Pageant.
• Barrett Zatopek assisted the contestants Saturday, May 4, at the Burnet County Rodeo Association 2024 Scholarship Pageant.
• Photos by Martelle Luedecke/ Luedecke Photography Emma McCurry and Trinity Frazier built a strong relationship representing Burnet County Rodeo Royalty as seen Saturday, May 4, at the Burnet County Rodeo Association 2024 Scholarship Pageant.

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The Faith Academy of Marble Falls girls track team finished seventh at the Class 3A State Track and Field meet of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools May 2-3.

The Lady Flames earned 39 points. Regional rival Tomball Rosehill won the state title with 110 points.

“This was a competitive state meet,” Faith head coach Steve McCannon said. “We had several personal bests and even a school record, but that’s not enough to get on the podium or pick up any wins. That shows the level of competition has really risen.” The Lady Flames earned several medals paced by senior Morgan Weems, who was on the podium thanks to a heave of 34 feet and 6.75 inches in the shot put, and freshman Sidney Solomon, who brought home bronze in the high jump with a flop of 4-10.

“Morgan came through and was able to get second. We will really miss having her on the team,” McCannon said. “Sidney has a bright future. She competes. I love her demeanor, and she will be our leader in the future.

(Assistant coach Cedric) Griffin has done great work with her.”

All three relay teams scored points and performed well when it counted the most. The Lady Flames' 1,600-me ter relay team of Anabelle Merlick, Solomon, Carly Owens and Zoe Rhoads posted its best time thanks to clocking 4 minutes and 24.81 seconds to finish fourth.

“Our relays ran OK,

and we had a season best in 4x400," the coach said.

“We needed to go one level up to get medals. I am proud of the fact we were able to get all three relays to state. It was not an easy path.”

As for the Flames, Beau Steele earned bronze in the 800 meters in 1:59.59 and Andrew Huoy was sixth in the 400 me - ters in 53.13 seconds.

"Beau had a big day," McCannon said. "He ran a tactical race and broke our school record in the 800 and was just short of get- ting second. Beau really works hard and competes.

I am glad he was able to get the record on the big stage.”

Huoy gave all he had, the coach added.

“Andrew ran a personal best in a race where two guys broke 50 (seconds)," he said. “I look forward to seeing what he does next year.” Though the competition was fantastic, it gave little comfort to the Flames and Lady Flames, he said.

"We have high expec tations, so you can leave state feeling a little disappointed we didn’t hit all our goals,” McCannon said. “With that in mind, we are really proud of our season and the fact we did win three meets including district as well.”

The end of the season is always difficult because it means a chapter is fin ished and others must step up to carry on the excel lence of the program, the coach said.

“We will miss our seniors and looking forward to having our freshman and sophomores learning from this experience and contin ue the tradition.”

Jennifer Fierro publishes reports about area youth athletic events on her website TexasChalkTalk.com.

To send her a note, email fi errojennifer@yahoo.com.