This week’s Orange Panther of the Week is junior pole vaulter Clara Fowlkes. Last week, Fowlkes became the first female individual state champion in outdoor track and field in Orange High history. She won the 5A State Championship inside Truist Stadium at North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro. Fowlkes won a jump-off against Lelu Hill of East Rowan, clearing eleven-feet, three-inches in the third extra jump. It is the second state championship for Fowlkes this academic year. In February, Fowlkes won the pole vault at the NCHSAA 5A State Indoor Track & Field Championships at the JDL FastTrack in Winston-Salem. She cleared eleven feet to become the first Orange female athlete to win a state championship in indoor track & field in a field event. Fowlkes also won the 5A Central Regional championship at Southeast Alamance High School in Haw River on May 9. Last season, Fowlkes finished 2nd in the 5A State Championships. She also runs in various track events for Orange. Clara’s, Caroline, won a state championship in the pole vault at Cedar Ridge and just graduated from Appalachian State. Clara’s father, Thomas, and her mother, Jenna, also competed in the pole vault. Clara will spend the summer competing on the travel circuit before pursuing another state championships in 2027.
