Franklin Regional junior Jamie Kociela thrives on competition.

Whether it is on the track or in the pool, Kociela wants to win.

She has done that plenty so far this season.

Entering the May 1 meet at the Pine-Richland Invitational, Kociela not only has the top high jump mark in the WPIAL, but her 5-foot, 8-inch jump at the Butler Invitational on April 18 was the best jump in the state so far this season.

Now she has her eyes set on clearing 5-9. The WPIAL record for Class 3A was set by Ambridge’s India McCoy (5-9) in 2011. Slippery Rock’s Pam Gear hold the Class 2A record of 5-10, set in 1977.

“Those marks are reachable,” Franklin Regional coach Bob Ralston said. “Jamie has it all. She is fast and her technique is beautiful. She is so consistent.

“She works hard and is competitive. What makes her special is how focused she is.”

Kociela began competing in seventh grade. Her brother Nathan, a distance runner, got her started.

“I wanted to do new sport,” said Kociela, who also swims the 50-yard freestyle and won a PIAA gold medal in swimming on the 200-yard freestyle relay team. “I was skipping one day, and my friends were telling me how high I was jumping. So, I gave high jump a try.”

She now holds the school record. She qualified for the state meet last year after placing sixth at the WPIAL championships by clearing 5-5.

“My goals are to be a WPIAL and PIAA champion,” Kociela said. “My next goal is 5-9.

“I have been more consistent this season. I find once I achieve a height, mentally you know you can do it again. It just takes more of an effort.”

Kociela has started to compete in the long jump and the 200-meter dash.

She has leaped 16 feet, 4 1/4 inches in the long jump. She also competes in the mixed 1,600-meter relay.

“There are a lot of good jumpers in the WPIAL,” Kociela said. “I have to continue to work hard.”

Kiski Area’s Gianna Devito (5-6) and Trinity’s Ella Sammel (5-7) are two of her top contenders heading into the postseason.

Boys come up short

For the third time in the past three weeks, the Franklin Regional boys came up short against Hempfield in a dual meet.

Even though the Panthers won 13 of 18 events, they lost to the Spartans, 76-74, in the WPIAL team semifinals.

“One third-place finish we did not get cost us,” Ralston said. “Hempfield has a little more depth.

“We are close to being one of those top teams. We just need to continue to work hard.”

Junior Sean Cartwright continues to shine. He owns school records in the high jump (6-7), and the 110- and 300-meter hurdles. He broke his brother Ethan’s record in the 300 hurdles at Hempfield on April 28.

Franklin Regional winners against Hempfield were junior Loch Bresnahan (100 and 200), Andy Silvis (400), Mason Gray (800), Cole Devola (shot put), Anthony Petrucci (discus), Jaymeir Austin (long jump) and Gage Williams (triple jump).

The Panthers also won the 400- and 1,600-meter relay races.