As the school year comes to a close, many chapters are coming to an end and students are ready for summer, but the Franklin girls track team is just getting started. The girls had a very successful outdoor season, placing third in the Hockomock League and winning meets against Taunton, King Philip, and Attleboro.

Although the whole team had an excellent season, two relay teams continue their season as they work towards Nationals. Franklin’s 4×800 and Distance Medley relay teams are headed to New Balance Nationals on June 17 and 18 held in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Meghan Doherty, who will be running in the 4×800 alongside teammates Nicole Clermont, Brittany Robinson, and Kate Hartnett, is looking forward to running in Nationals and believes:

“It is a great opportunity to compete against some amazing athletes across the country.”

She also remarked upon her close relationship with her teammates. The relay team has been running together since last outdoor season. Since Robinson is a senior, this will be their last meet together, and it is bittersweet since the girls are so tight-knit.

“We have nine hour meets so we’ve become very close and almost like a family,” said Meghan. Nationals is not the only competition they have to look forward to; on June 4th, athletes Nicole Clermont, Jess Kroushl, and the 4×800 team will be competing in the State meet at Westfield State University.

Freshman Bella Pierre won’t be attending Nationals, but took part in the talented 4×400 relay team, running at the Hockomock Championship and the Division 1 All State meet.  

Her speed came out of nowhere, shocking coaches and teammates as all season long, she shaved seconds off her time. In her first meet running the 400, she ran it in 66.6 seconds. With her best 400 time being 63.4 seconds, she feels her teammates have really helped her improve and get her to where she is today.

When she is running, hearing “[her] teammates all cheering for [her] on the sidelines is the best feeling in the world.” She also meshed great with her teammates, saying her favorite thing about track was “meeting everybody from different grades and all hanging out at meets together.” 

As the Panthers finish up a great season, they should be recognized for their dedication and hard work to the program.  Although we are saying goodbye to some excellent runners, the team has a strong future ahead of them.