This week’s Orange Panther of the Week is senior Kayla Brooks. On Thursday in her senior day meet at Auman Stadium, Brooks had two first place finishes against Northern Durham and Vance County. In the discuss, Brooks finished with a new personal best of 65 feet, one inch. In the shot put, Brooks had a throw of 29 feet, two inches. It was her third first place finish of the season. In the opening meet of the year against Cedar Ridge and Southern Durham on April 29, Brooks finished first in the shot put. Her throw of 29 feet, two inches was a new personal best for Brooks. Kayla comes from a family of Panthers. Her father was a football player under head coaches Greg Gentry and Tom Eanes. Kayla’s final meet happened inside the very stadium where her father played football. She is also a cheerleader who rooted on the Panthers during the chilly, early days of spring. When Kayla graduates next month, she plans on attending Baylor University in Waco, Texas. First, Kayla has more track meets to focus on, starting this Thursday at Northwood High in Pittsboro in a tri-meet that will also include Cedar Ridge. She aims to qualify for next month’s 3A Mideast Regionals at Southern Lee High School. Away from the athletic fields, Kayla has also spoken to freshman at Orange who have had difficulty making the transition from middle school to high school. As she moves forward, Kayla will continue to serve as a positive influence, be in the Tar Heel State or the Lone Star State.