Mid-Season Track and Field Review

By Seamus Raab  

Seattle- With an abrupt ending to last season’s high jump competition, the O’Dea Fighting Irish finished just a few points behind their rival, Blanchet, settling for second place. Now, with the season hitting its midpoint, Andre Franklin, O’Dea’s high jump captain, is determined not to let that happen again, pushing the team further than they’ve ever before. 

Andre Franklin, a current senior at O’Dea High School, has emerged as one of if not the most talented, high jumpers in the metro area. His consistency, technique, and leadership have made him a team captain with high expectations. “We have a well rounded team, everyone is playing their part, and our jumps are looking close to perfection.” With Franklin leading the charge, the team has taken a major step forward this season. Their performance has already translated into nearly 100 more points than they scored at last year’s metro championship. With clear signs of improvement, Andre and the team seem to be in best position for high jump. However, as the season progressed, Franklin suffered an injury and is currently recovering. Despite his absence, the team has continued to improve each day, demonstrating resilience and depth. Even without their top contender, they’ve stayed focused and competitive, proving they have determination and the brotherhood to keep them pushing forward. 

As the season continues, the Fighting Irish are only getting better. Across the team they are gaining momentum with each meet and performance across the team it’s clear they are far from reaching their full potential. At this pace, it won’t be long before they pass last years limits and achieve more , leaving last years season’s in the past.