Panthers Track 2021

The Saco Panthers track team welcomes back only a pair of familiar faces from the 2019 season, but this year's group is young.

"They are going to have to jump right in there with sophomores, juniors, and seniors," Panthers Head Coach Barry Malone said.

The team consists of six athletes, four of which are brand new to high school track and field.

Junior Jaycee Erickson is the team's lone state performer, competing in the pole vault at the 2019 State C Meet in Laurel. She cleared 8-0 at the event.

"She is fairly stronger, so she will definitely be a leader on our girls squad," Coach Malone said.

Though she did not qualify for state in other events, Erickson was very competitive, just missing making state in the 100-meter hurdles with a personal best of 18.22 seconds and in javelin with a throw of 92-6. Erickson had also taken third in the 300 hurdles at the District 3C meet with a time of 54.86. She has a personal best of 30-5.5 in the triple jump.

Coach Malone said that Jaycee would likely focus on more throwing events this season.

Junior Dylan Brown competed hard during his freshman season, posting throws of 26-1.5 in shot put, 73-7 in discus, and 77-4 in javelin. He also participated in running and jumping events that season.

Coach Malone said that Brown has gotten stronger in each of those events despite the year away from competing.

The Panthers welcome a group of four freshmen including Marshall Caves, Abby Yeska, Josie Brown and Teagan Erickson. All of which were unable to compete during their eighth grade year due to COVID-19.

"They were all pretty good athletes," Coach Malone said. "But I think (missing last year's track season) will affect them more than our older kids."

T. Erickson was sweeping running and jumping events in her seventh-grade season, posting bests of 1:11.44 in the 400, 2:40.48 in the 800, 14-8.5 in long jump, and cleared 5-2 in high jump.

The team has been practicing since Monday, March 12. Coach Malone said that he didn't expect any miracles right out of the gate, and he brought it back to basics.

"We have been getting some conditioning down and working on our flexibility," Coach Malone said.