A long-standing track and field record at Franklin Regional was tied April 9.

Now that sophomore Sean Cartwright has tied the high jump mark of 6 feet, 6 inches, which was set by Bob Curtis in 1976, he wants to own it this year and he has more than a month to do it.

If Cartwright has his way, he won’t be sharing the record for long.

“I want to at least reach 6-7 this year,” Cartwright said. “I definitely feel I can do it.”

Cartwright also competes in the 110- and 300-meter hurdles. His twin brother Ethan, who wrestles, also competes in both hurdles, in the high jump and runs the second leg in the 1,600-meter relay.

Sean, who stands 6-foot-3½, also plays basketball.

He recently placed second in the 110 hurdles behind Penn-Trafford senior Ekoulus Lett, seventh in the 300-meter hurdles behind Aidon Lett and fourth in the high jump at the Lady Spartan/Wildcat Invitational on a cold and rainy April 11 at Latrobe Memorial Stadium. He only cleared 5-11 at Latrobe.

Cartwright said the jumpers were affected by slippery conditions in the high jump area.

“We started in the grass, and we were slipping,” Cartwright said. “Hopefully we start getting better weather.”

Cartright’s hurdle coach, Jake Snyder, said Cartwright is a gifted athlete and an extremely hard worker.

He ranked No. 1 in the state for his class in the 110-meter hurdles. He is tied for the top spot in the high jump in the WPIAL.

“He’s seventh in the WPIAL in the hurdles,” Snyder said. “He enjoys track and field and performed well in the winter.

“He is putting in extra time. He is a perfectionist. He is aware of the other athletes in the area. He knows who his competition is.”

He’ll find that competition in the coming weeks. He was scheduled to compete in the Butler Invitional on April 17 and the Westmoreland County Coaches’ Association meet on April 24. There also is the Pine-Richland Invitational on May 2 and the Last Chance Meet on May 8.

Cartwright said he’s working on being more consistent.

“My goal is to jump higher and stay consistent,” Cartwright said. “I feel if I can continue to reach 6-6, I’m going to make it to states and get on the podium.”

Cartwright did not start competing in the high jump until middle school.

Synder said now that Cartwright has reached 6-6, he expects him to eventually to exceed that mark.

“Track is very mental,” Snyder said. “One, it builds confidence that you can achieve that height again. The events are highly technical. It will open the door to get better.”