PEARL – The Brookhaven girls and boys track teams participatedin the MHSAA Class 5A State Track and Field Championships Friday atPearl High School. Both teams garnered top 10 finishes under theheat-filled, cloudy Rankin County skies, with the Lady Panthersplacing third and the Panthers finishing 10h.

The Lady Panthers finished third with 80 points; just behind 5Astate champion Oxford (97 points) and runner-up Pearl (87 points).Coached by Kelby Bowman, Jimmy Butler and Freda Craft, the OleBrook girls picked up state titles in the discus and the4x100-meter relay.

The 4×100 relay team consisted of freshmen Zoe Franklin andFredericka Fairman, senior Brandy Guilbeau and junior Pamala Byrdwith a winning time of 1:43.92. Junior Gloria Weathersby capturedthe gold medal in the discus with a distance of 108 feet, 3inches.

“I am proud of every one for their efforts,” said Coach Bowman nearthe end of the day-long meet. “We will take what we learned todayand get ready for next year.”

Other medalists were Fairman (bronze) in the 400-meter run with atime of 1:00.25 and silver in the 800-meter run.

The Panthers were led by third places finishes from Stone Underwoodin the shot put and Greg Sims in the long jump.

Underwood’s toss topped out at 47 feet, 1 inch. Sims’ best leapcame in at 22 feet, 4.25 inches.

Pearl captured the boys crown with 123 points, outdistancingrunner-up Oxford with 84 points. Brookhaven finished with 24points.