By By Matthew Nascone
The second meet of the season for the Escambia Academy Cougars and Lady Cougars track and field team ended the same way the first meet of the season did, with a second place finish and a personal record for one runner.
"We had a good day and I felt like we improved since the Jay meet," EA head coach Heath Gibson said. "Overall we had a good showing."
Alan Ash won the one-mile and two-mile runs, breaking his personal best by one second at 4 minutes, 58 seconds. Andrea Nall won the 800-meter run and the two-mile as well.
Ash and Nall come up winners or second-place finishers in nearly every distance event and Gibson said there is one key to that success.
"They practice for this sport year round," Gibson said. "Alan wakes up every morning and runs five miles before school and then he comes to practice and runs some more. And Andrea is the same way. She is always training. Alan and Andrea separate themselves from the other runners on other teams with their work ethic and dedication."
Seth Lassiter placed second in the 800 and second behind Ash in the one-mile. Blayne Garrett grabbed second in the long jump. Kristen Matthews placed second in the one-mile and the Academy 1,600-meter relay team of Matthews, Lacey Flowers, Grayson Emmons and Taylor Hubbard won the event.
"We are improving and our younger kids are catching on to what we are doing," Gibson said. "They are making a lot of progress very quickly and that is great."
Faith Academy won both the boys and girls competition. Jackson Academy finished third in the boys and did not send any girls and Cottage Hill Academy placed fourth in the boys' field.
The next meet for the Cougars and Lady Cougars is Saturday at the Academy beginning at noon.