The Canterbury Episcopal boys and girls varsity track teams competed at a very high level in their district track meet this week at Mansfield High School. The girls won the district championship, while the boys finished as the district runner up.  Both teams consistently have great athletes who can accumulate a large number of points for the team, but this year they have that plus more. 

To win district, the athletes compete based on a point system, and points are accumulated by finishing within the top eight places.  There were numerous Cougars who finished in the top eight, but here is a small list of only athletes who medaled (top three). For our boys, senior Zachary Rufus, who is defending champ in the 100m and 200m, received gold in the 100m, 200m, long jump, triple jump, and was the anchor leg on the gold medal winning 4x100m relay.  Senior Paraksh Vankawala, defending state champion in the high jump, won gold in the high jump, silver in the 400m, and bronze in the triple jump.  Paraksh was also a member of the gold medal winning 4X100m relay, along with senior Donovan Jones and junior Derrick Neal.  Derrick Neal won gold in the 300m hurdles and bronze in the long jump.

The girl’s team had a solid number of medalists as well.  Senior Timon Brown won gold in the long jump, 4x100m relay, 4x200m relay, and attained bronze finishes in the 400m and high jump.  Junior Triniti Lemmons won gold in the triple jump, grabbed silver in the 300m hurdles and high jump, and was also on the gold medal winning 4x100m and 4x200m relays with sophomores Rainelle Nevers and Kacidy Sheppard.  Rainelle Nevers also snatched silver in the 200m. Sophomore Peyton Jones dominated both throwing events with gold medal performances in the shot put and discus.  We close out our medal count with freshmen Lauren Westley. Lauren added a silver medal finish in the discus and bronze in the shot put.

This level of depth increases the Canterbury Cougars chances of having extremely strong finishes at the upcoming regional and state meets.  To qualify for regionals, athletes must finish in the top four, and for state, athletes must finish top four in their event at districts.  The Cougars are no stranger to the opportunities that are ahead for them.  For the past three years, the girls have finished the season as either the state champion or state runner up.  The boys’ team is now in the process of laying the foundation for their own dynasty.  Congrats again to the boys and girls varsity track teams for their awesome finish at district.  Good luck at districts next week!