AUSTIN – It was a storybook ending to an illustrious career for Silverton’s Maddie Francis.
A household name at Mike A. Myers Stadium over four years, the Lady Owl senior made her final appearance under the bright lights count by stacking up two more gold medals to an already stocked trophy case during the UIL Class 1A state track and field meet Saturday night.
Francis was one of the highlights in front of an electric crowd, running two smooth hurdle races and stamping her name in the record books yet again by breaking her own 1A conference record in the 100-meter hurdles.
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“This was amazing,” Francis said. “It felt like all the hard work has paid off and it was great that I had one more opportunity to break a conference record that I was able to accomplish. It’s always easier to run here overtime, but it’s nerve racking and emotional.”
Francis competed in the morning field events, finishing sixth in the long jump (16-8 3/4) and fourth in the high jump (5-2).
Then came the evening running finals, and that’s where Francis turned it on.
Francis ran with focus and conviction in the 100-meter hurdles blazing to a time of 14.53 setting a 1A conference record for a second straight while smashing last year’s mark by over two seconds (14.79). Later in the evening, Francis was stellar in her final race in a Silverton uniform, clocking a 45.06 to handily win the 300-meter hurdles.
“This was an amazing way to end my high school season and career,” Francis said. “During the 100-meter, I was feeling good, and I knew this 300-meter was going to be really good and it was. I knew this was my last time running here and it was sad, but I wanted to leave it all out here. To leave here with six total medals means a ton. I was able to run with my little sister (Laney) and my older sister (Brenna) here at state and that was special.”
Francis ends her career at the state meet with six total medals, five of which were gold on top of one silver.
Silverton girls track coach April Howell says, Francis is definitely one that will never be forgotten.
“It’s been exciting watching her excel in what she wants to do,” Howell said. “She’s been preparing for this all year and she went out and ended her career with two more gold medals and break another conference record. She means so much to this school and this community. The Francis name means so much. Her sister Brenna was so great, and now Maddie was amazing and her little sister is going to be great.”
CHECK OUT THE RESULTS
For a complete look at the final results from the UIL state track and field meet, please visit https://www.milesplit.live/meets/746342/schedule