Panthers primed for 1A state track meet

Published 3:06 pm Wednesday, June 23, 2021

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Twelve Northside Panthers are ready to put their best foot forward Saturday at the 1A state track meet at Truist Stadium on the campus of North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro.

Seven boys and five girls will compete in nine events as the top three finishers in each event bring home a medal.

Senior Kathleen Slade won the High Jump at the East Regional last weekend and is among the favorites to place at the state meet.

Senior Caroline Boyd finished second in the 1600 meter run and will also compete in the 4 x 400 relay with freshmen Anna Taylor, Lauren Rouse and Kiele Scott, who also qualified in the 300 meter Hurdles.

“All three freshmen have done very well for their first year,” Coach Bob Girani said. “Kiele is a very good athlete and has done well in all her events. Caroline has been consistent all year and Kathleen has done great in the high jump since she joined us after softball ended. I’m excited to see what they do Saturday.”

Junior Keanu Dugan will compete in the 1600 meters, the 4 x 400 relay and the 4 x 800 relay.

“He moved here from Pennsylvania last summer and we are glad he’s here,” Girani said. “Both relay teams did well at regionals and get to test themselves again Saturday.”

Sophomores Jonathan Price and Jordan Harding join Dugan on the 4 x 400 relay along with junior Brent Holland.

Freshman Mason Newman joins Dugan, Price and Holland in the 4 x 800.

Sophomore Zane Brooks will compete in the 110 Hurdles and the 300 Hurdles.

“He’s the surprise of our team,” Girani said. “He ran for us last year and asked if he could try the hurdles this season. He’s really taken to the event and put in the extra time it takes to get better. (Assistant coach) Kevin Newman has done great work with him and he’s improved every meet.

This has been a fun group to coach and I think we’ll go out on a high note.”