Submitted by Britney Hodge
Competing in mid-40 degree temperatures throughout the meet, the Pulaski County Cougar Track & Field team delivered an outstanding performance at the Abingdon Polar Bear meet. The boys team showed up in a big way, earning 1st place out of 12 teams with a commanding 85 points.
Leading the way, Jackson Squires captured 1st place in the 55-meter dash, while Nina Bucey-Card dominated the 1600-meter run, and Gaige Barton claimed 1st place in the 300 meters. The Cougars continued to stack points with Alex Flores earning 2nd place in the 500 meters, and the boys 4x800 relay team (Alex Flores, Asher Posillico, Cecil Black, Carson Richardson) securing a 2nd place finish.
Additional podium performances included Brayden Snell placing 3rd in Long Jump, Dani Carroll finishing 3rd in the 1000 meters, and Alex Flores adding another 3rd place in the 300 meters, showcasing the depth and versatility of the Cougar roster.
Despite limited numbers on the girls’ side, the Lady Cougars delivered a standout performance. “We only had eight girls compete today, and finishing 5th out of 12 teams is a phenomenal accomplishment for our Lady Cougars. They may be small in numbers, but they showed up, worked hard, and competed with heart,” stated Coach Britney Hodge.
The meet also saw a surge of personal bests for Cougar athletes. Gaige Barton (300M), Hunter Johnson (55M), Rohan Kaul (Shot Put), Milan Patel (300M), and Jackson Squires (55M) all recorded new personal records, 26 Cougars recorded their first event marks of the indoor season, highlighting the team’s preparation and early momentum.
From championship finishes to individual breakthroughs, the Cougars proved their preparation is paying off. Their results speak to the quality of their practices, and the momentum built at Abingdon sets the tone for an exciting remainder of the season