Two members of the Pilot Point Bearcat track program, senior Bennett Cory and junior Peytyn Goodin, made their way into the school’s history book and were recognized May 16 and 19.
Both runners were honored in front of teammates, family and Pilot Point ISD administration with brief ceremonies at Pilot Point High School as they added their names to the Bearcats Track and Field Record Board.
“[Bennett] has worked really hard and focused on this, so for him to reach this point and be on the record board and to make it to state in the 800 were huge accomplishments for him,” said Jeff Price, Pilot Point head cross country coach. “It couldn't have happened to a better kid.”
Bennett bested the previous record time of 1:55.1 set by Adam Mendoza in 2017 with a time of 1:54.9.
Bennett said he hopes his performance during his final season in Pilot Point inspires future Bearcat runners for years to come.
“I'm just glad to leave a part of me in Pilot Point and be that next guy that people look up to,” he said. “I hope when my team- mates look up and see my name on that board, they realize it’s possible for them to do whatever they want to do.” Bennett’s parents, Adam and Cynthia Cory, who were on hand for the event, said they couldn’t be more proud.
“He set this in motion, getting on this board, a long time ago,” Adam said. “… It was important to him, and I don't know a lot of teenagers that are going to be out running at the track on holidays when everybody else is taking time off. He had a goal in mind, he put his [mind] to it and he never wavered.”
Peytyn’s fastest time in the 400-meter dash this season of 57.11 seconds bested the previous record time of 57.7 set by Peytyn herself in 2024.
“It’s a big accomplishment because I didn’t think I’d be able to make it up there this year after tearing my ACL, so setting a new record was awesome,” she said.
Peytyn’s mother, Stephanie Mohindra, shared her joy for her daughter’s success.
“It's a true statement as to how much she's really worked this year,” she said. “To see her down and out after she tore her ACL and then to build back up has been a huge [achievement].”
