This has been a challenging season for the track program at Paradise High School. Both the boys and girls programs had significantly fewer athletes competing this year, and that was reason enough to leave both groups out of title contention at last week's District 10-2A finals.

The small groups did not let size get in the way as they had several good performances. In fact nine boys and girls will compete in nine events at next weekend's Class 2A, Region II meet in Stephenville.

The top three places in each event move to the regional finals. From there, the top two in each event will move on to the state championships.

The Lady Panthers had several finishes that left head coach Johna Ford with plenty to smile about. Haley Mitchell was one reason as she qualified in three events.

"It was an emotional day with lots of highs, lows and rain," said Ford.

Mitchell captured second place in the 800-meter run with a time of 2 minutes, 26 seconds. She later took third in the 3200 where she clocked a 12:56. Both times were a personal record for the young standout.

Mitchell also teamed with her sister Jordyn to finish third in the 1600 relay. They joined Jenna Simpson and Brandi Erwin to earn a spot at regionals with a time of 4:27.

Ally Howerton missed the regional cut but pulled in a personal-best time of 52.3 seconds in the 300 hurdles to take fifth. She also took sixth in the 100 hurdles at 17.9.

Jordyn Mitchell placed in the top five of four events. She just missed the cut in the 200 where she was fourth at 28.1 seconds.

In boys' action, Connor Higgins had one of the better days of his career. He qualified in two events and captured one of Paradise's three gold medals in the meet.

He was crowned the district's best in the long jump where he cleared a distance of 19 feet, 10.25 inches. The multi-sport star captured second place in the 100 at 11.56 seconds.

Richard Reid won his first 3200 district championship when he edged out teammate and cross country state champion James Hodges for the title. Reid struck gold with a time of 10:56.68, just a blink ahead of Hodges at 10:56.95.

Hodges took care of business in the 1600 where he took first in a time of 4:55. His brother Scott is going to regionals with him as he took third at 5:47.67. Reid was fourth at 4:58.50.

Scott Hodges is also going to regionals in the 800 where he earned third-place honors after he clocked a 2:08.91.

The Panthers finished fourth in the team standings with 86.5 points, just behind third-place Boyd at 90. Cisco won the team title with 207 points and Godley was second at 129.

Paradise results
Girls

3200 - 3. Haley Mitchell 12:56
800 - 2. Haley Mitchell 2:26
1600 relay - 3. Paradise - Haley Mitchell, Jordyn Mitchell, Jenna Simpson, Brandi Erwin 4:27
800 relay - 5. Jordyn Mitchell, Jenna Simpson, Brandi Erwin, Jessica Hayes 2:56
200 - 4. Jordyn Mitchell 28.1
400 - 6. Jenna Simpson 1:09
100 hurdles - 6. Ally Howerton 17.9
300 hurdles - 5. Ally Howerton 52.3
Long jump - 5. Jordyn Mitchell 16-0

Boys

Pole vault - 4. Dusty Galbreaith 9-6
Long jump - 1. Connor Higgins 19-10.25
Triple jump - 5. Scott Hodges 39-5
3200 - 1. Richard Reid 10:56.68; 2. James Hodges 10:56.95
400 relay - 5. Paradise - Jonathan Lee, P.J. Fuller, Connor Higgins, C.J. Kerr 45.68
800 - 3. Scott Hodges 2:08.91
110 hurdles - 5. Kyle Bradshaw 17.95; 6. Dusty Galbreaith 19.24
100 - 2. Connor Higgins 11.56
800 relay - 6. Paradise - Caleb Snell, Jonathan Lee, P.J. Fuller, C.J. Kerr 1:38.51
200 - 2. Bryson Mack 23.17
1600 - 1. James Hodges 4:55; 3. Scott Hodges 4:57.67; 4. Richard Reid 4:58.50
1600 relay - 6. Paradise - Scott Hodges, James Hodges, Connor Higgins, Bryson Mack 3:41.59