The Sweet Home Panthers varsity track and field team is preparing to host over twenty schools this Saturday for the annual WNY Early Bird Invitational. The meet serves as the unofficial kickoff to the outdoor track season, giving athletes their first chance to post state-qualifying times on the Panthers' newly resurfaced home track.
For Sweet Home, all eyes will be on the boys' 4x100 meter relay team. The squad, anchored by senior sprinter and state finalist Jamal Washington, has been dominating early practice times. Washington is also the heavy favorite to win the individual 100-meter dash, boasting a personal best of 10.74 seconds.
On the girls' side, junior distance runner Sarah Jenkins will look to assert her dominance in the 1500-meter run. Jenkins spent the winter season dominating the indoor circuit and is aiming to break the school's outdoor record this spring.
The meet begins at 9:00 AM this Saturday at the Sweet Home High School stadium. Admission is $5 for spectators, and local food trucks will be on-site throughout the day.