BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER
La Joya Palmview boys track coach Abel Garza saw encouraging signs last week at the Knights of Columbus Relays in Mercedes, where the Lobos took home seven medals and placed fourth. Whatever momentum the team mustered, however, has been stifled this week by Mother Nature.
“With the weather, it’s been hard to get some of the kids out there,” Garza said.
Despite the minimal practice time, Palmview will look to build on their previous meet today at the Mission Memorial Relays at Mission High School. Expected to compete at the event are 16 boys and girls teams, including La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, a team Garza points to as a barometer.
“Juarez-Lincoln has some good relays,” he said. “We have to measure up against them. Being their sister school makes things a bit more competitive.”
The Lobos placed second in the 1600-meter relay a week ago with a time of 3 minutes 31.06 seconds, but failed to placed in the top six in other relay events.
“(Today) will be focused on the relays, trying to find the best fit,” Garza said. “We’re still giving kids a chance to find what areas they are most comfortable with.”
Eliseo Rodriguez is more than comfortable in distance runs. At Mercedes, the sophomore took home gold in both the 1600-meter run and 3200-meter run with respective times of 4:25.80 and 9:36.75. The latter stands at the best time for all Valley runners.
“He’s probably our highest point-getter,” Garza said. “He hasn’t hit his (personal record) yet, but he’s improving week to week and has dropped his time.”
In the field events, Palmview will be represented in part by Damien Quintanilla, who placed second a week ago in the triple jump with a distance of 42 feet, and Victor Bocanegra, who won gold in the high jump with a mark of 6-0. Both qualified for spots in this week’s Valley’s Best.
FIRST-TIME GOLD
The girls of the Edcouch-Elsa Yellowjackets participate in the Mid-Valley Classic today in Weslaco. Much like the Lobos, the team is also coming off a strong showing at Mercedes, where they placed third.
“It was the first time we faced several of our opponents from district,” Yellowjackets girls coach Annalisa Limas said. “Our girls finally showed what they could do.”
E-E was led in part by junior Krysta Martinez, who won the gold medal in the 800-meter run (2:15.18) and the 1600-meter run (5:11.22). Though Martinez is accustomed to long-distance running, last week marked her first attempt at the 800-meter run this season.
“She didn’t even have a prior time,” Limas said. “I told her, ‘Show us what you got.’ She blew us all away.”
Though Saturday marked her first attempt in the 800, Martinez currently holds the Valley’s best time in the event for girls competition. Martinez is one of few upperclassmen on a team Limas describes as “young,” although freshman have made their presence known for E-E, too.
Shana Alvarado won bronze in the long jump at Mercedes with a distance of 15-11 3/4 and placed fourth in the triple jump with a distance of 33-4 3/4. Alvarado has also served as an anchor on various relays throughout the season. Limas says the relays are an area of concentration for the team moving forward.
“We’re trying to get the girls comfortable with each other in their events,” she said. “We’re down to the wire here. After (today’s) meet, they have to know what their area of expertise is.”
LOOKING AHEAD
After this weekend’s meets at Mission and Weslaco, the PSJA ISD Relays will be held on March, 21 in Pharr. The following week, Welsaco will host the Meet of Champions on March 27 and 28.