Kwan wins silver at state
Contributed
Faith Academy freshman Tyler Kwan gets his silver medal for the high jump Friday night at the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) state track meet. Kwan also finished fourth in the long jump and eighth in triple jump.
The future looks bright for Faith Academy freshman Tyler Kwan after last week's the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) state track meet.
Kwan advanced to a “jump off” for the state title in the high jump Friday, May 4. While he didn't win the jump off, his best leap of 5 feet, 10 inches was good enough to win the silver medal and take his place on the winner's podium as the only Faith athlete to medal.
A triple threat, Kwan also finished fourth in the long jump by leaping 19 feet, 9.25 inches and eighth in the triple jump with a best of 37 feet, 3.75 inches.
“Tyler ended up in a jump off for the state title in high jump title,” Coach Steve McCannon said. “He had two chances to win it, so it was exciting way to end Friday night. I know he is disappointed coming up short, but three events can be taxing and he gave it his all. Tyler had a strong freshman year and I am really proud of the way he competes, no matter what.”
Also on the boys' side, Gus Henry finished sixth in the high jump with a best of 5-8 and eighth in the long jump with a best of 18 feet, 4.25 inches, competing despite an injury.
“Gus handled his injury well and gave it his best shot,” McCannon said. “I know next season he will be ready to go and I know he looks forward to hurdling again.”
Overall, the boys finished 16thwith 18 points. Meanwhile, the girls finished 17thoverall with 13.5 points.
The girls were led by senior Kailee Hair, who finished in a fourth-place tie in the pole vault with a best of eight feet, especially after experiencing a delay Friday due to inclement weather.
“Kailee did a great job with the delays and the conditions,” McCannon said. “The divisions were combined, so 24 vaulters went off together. Kailee did her best to sneak into the top three. We will miss her next season.
“The weather created some challenges on Friday. We started to warm up for first event at 9 a.m., then rain and lightning came, so the delays moved the start to 4 p.m. In order to get field events in, only four attempts were allowed. The last field event finished at midnight, so it was a long day.”
The 4x200-meter relay team of Valerie Coffey, Juliette McCannon, Paris Brinkley and Susanna Quinn finished fifth with a time of 1:52.94, while Coffey also finished eighth in the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 54.39 seconds.
“Our 4x200m held their seeded postion and ran a season’s best time and our fourth best time ever at state,” McCannon said. “The competitive landscape in TAPPS has steadly risen over the years and we have to continue to work hard and have a hunger to get better.
“I know we are up for the challenge and I am proud of everything the girls overcame this season. We look forward to next season and having our track facility. I think that will be a game changer and our future looks bright.”
