Lady Lion earns return trip to state track meet
May 5, 2010

Herald-Banner Staff

DENTON -- Greenville senior Jessica Franklin won the Region II-4A long jump title to earn her third straight trip to the state track and field meet.

Franklin leaped a career-best 18 feet 11 3/4 inches at Fouts Field on Tuesday to win the region championship and also qualify for the University Interscholastic League’s state track and field championships on May 14 in Austin.

Franklin also advanced to state in the long jump as a sophomore and made it in the triple jump and 100-meter hurdles last year. She finished third in the triple jump to earn the bronze medal.

Franklin took the lead early in the long jump competition with an 18-5 effort and then went 18-7 and 18-10 on her next two champs before soaring 18-11 3/4 on her final attempt.

“Her 18-5 set the tone,” said Lady Lions coach JoAnna Vaden. “She just stayed ahead the whole way. She never fell out of the lead. She competed well.”

Franklin won the event by 5 1/2 inches over Rhonna Holmes of Lancaster.

Franklin, who finished fourth in the triple jump on Monday, also took fourth in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 14.92. Kara Hyde of Forney won with a 14.16.

Greenville’s Dijoun Sheppard leaped 22-5 1/2 to finish eighth in the boys long jump.