BRYSON CITY – (Philip Latter)After three years of nothing but away meets, the Maroon Devils men’s track program gave their fans something to cheer about Wednesday at Memorial Stadium by defeating Andrews, Robbinsville, Highlands and Nantahala in Smoky Mountain Conference action. The women tied for first against the same field.
Leading the charge for the men was Cooper Reinert, who won the 400-meter dash (58.39) and pole vault (12’0”) and placed fifth in the 200-meter dash (24.63). Ben Miller proved to be the fast 110-meter hurdler, winning by a wide margin in 17.51, then coming back to place second in the 300-meter hurdles (45.68) and fourth in the long jump (16’8”). Other winners included Parker Chatham in the 800-meter run (2:21) and Angel Bowers in the long jump (18’6”). Chatham also placed second in the 1600 meters.
Swain showed off its improved depth to great effect in the relays, posting wins in the 4×100 and 4×800 relays. Swain placed second in the 4×400 relay and third in the 4×200 as well.
“I can finally retire in peace,” men’s head coach Gary Hollins said after the meet. “I’ve been waiting to beat Robbinsville for six years, and it finally happened.”
On the women’s side, the Lady Devils 4×800 relay team got things off to a good start by handily beating Robbinsville, which came into the meet with the number one time in the state. Other winners included Lydia Sale in the 100m (13.12) and long jump (14’6”), Maggie Burns in the 400m (1:02.2), and Katherine Brown in the discus (89’3”). Other top performers included Emma Pindur taking second in the 1600 (5:51) and third in the 800 (2:46), Kylie Pond placing second in the 3200 (14:56), Emily Styles taking third in the 100m hurdles (18.68) and high jump (4’8”) and Samantha Thomas placing second in the pole vault (7’0”).
“Our depth allowed us to hang in there against two teams we haven’t beaten in years,” said women’s head coach Phil Latter. “We knew coming into this year that we had the chance to do something special, and today’s performances just reaffirm that.”