BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER
Valley track and field teams competed in three meets last week during a string of wet weather and scattered rain showers. Despite the damp conditions, sprinters, jumpers and throwers alike looked to improve as district competition begins next month.
The soggiest meet was Saturday’s Chief Relays at Donna North High School. All field events were scrapped in addition to hurdle races due to safety concerns. The meet was temporarily postponed as coaches discussed the possibility of cancellation.
“(The coaches) want to continue,” Donna North coach Basilio Mendoza said. “So, let’s roll.”
As seven girls and 11 boys teams competed on the slick track, maneuvering around pockets of standing water, coaches quickly changed their goals for the meet. What was supposed to be a chance to refine talent and scout district foes turned pedestrian.
“We’re just a glorified workout,” McAllen High girls coach Robert Martinez said. “That’s all it is. This isn’t going good for anybody. At this point, we’re just getting in work. This is a work day today.”
The streak of bad weather has made it difficult for teams to practice as well, forcing Martinez and others to motivate their teams despite less than ideal conditions and limited time outside.
“It’s tough. We just have to find ways to keep that fire lit,” Martinez said. “As long as we’re getting work from the kids, we have a fair idea of who can do what in what event.”
The girls of Brownsville Veterans placed first in the team standings with 105 points. Among Upper-Valley girls teams, McAllen Memorial took second (102), McAllen High came in third (36). The Brownsville Rivera boys team won gold with 73.5 points, McAllen Rowe won second (60.5) and Brownsville St. Joseph took third (58).
RIVERA SHOWS STRONG
The most notable individual performance of the weekend came from Edinburg Vela’s Brendon Rivera, a senior high jumper, on Friday at the Rey Ramirez Relays in Rio Grande City. Rivera placed first with a jump of 7 feet, 2 inches, a meet record and the Valley’s best high jump this season. Rivera’s attempt fell one inch shy of tying his personal best, which doubles as the Valley record, set last August at the TAAF Games of Texas.
In addition to Rivera’s prowess on the bar, the Sharyland High boys exhibited their speed in the sprinting events. The duo of James Cole and Sean Landez finished first and second respectively in both the boys 100-meter dash and 200-meter dash. Cole’s gold medal run in the 100 clocked at 11.37 seconds while his winning time in the 200 was 22.56.
Mission Veterans’ GJ Reyna won first place twice during long-distance runs. Reyna took the 1600-meter run in 4:31.25 and the 3200-meter run with 10:02.88.
TRI CITY SHOWDOWN
The PSJA Tri-City championships were held Thursday at PSJA Stadium in Pharr. PSJA Memorial’s Mike Gonzalez took home a pair of gold medals after winning the boys shot put (43-5) and discus (148-4). Victor Pedraza of PSJA Southwest won the 1600-meter run (4:30.24) and the 3200-meter run (9:58.12).