BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER
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AUSTIN — A storied high school tenure concluded splendidly for Krysta Martinez. Running the best one-mile race of her career, the senior distance athlete from Edcouch-Elsa capped her final track season with a state medal.
Martinez earned bronze in the Class 5A girls 1600-meter run in 5 minutes, .43 seconds, setting a new personal best to boot. Friday marked her second appearance in the UIL track meet after going as a sophomore. Martinez has also competed at state for cross country in four straight seasons, always denied a podium finish.
“I was nervous before the race,” Martinez said. “I knew this was my last run and I just wanted to go out doing my best.”
Aside from an early race misstep wherein Martinez was momentarily tripped in traffic, her final four laps for the Lady Yellowjackets mirrored the race she ran at regionals earlier this month in San Antonio — steady in the early stages, patient in pack racing and a burst into a sprint during the final lap.
The nine-athlete field held in a firm cluster during the first two laps, with Martinez running on the outside. With 400 meters to go, Martinez made her move, bolting from fifth place to third on the final backstretch, maintaining momentum to the finish.
“I’m really happy with my time and my finish,” Martinez said. “This is something I’ve worked so hard for and wanted so badly. I just wanted to make my family and my coaches proud.”
SILVER FOR SOLIS
Joe Solis always knew he was an able competitor, but he was never sure where his abilities stood in larger context. The Weslaco High wheelchair athlete got his answer Friday: He belongs with the best.
After spending the season at Valley meets where he is one of only two area athletes to participate in wheelchair racing events, Solis sped his way to a pair of silver medals in the 100- and 400-meter dash, doing so in 17.76 and 1:01.98, respectively.
While non-district meets find Solis racing against standard times issued by the UIL, he tested himself in a full field with eight opponents, showcasing his talents while learning what is required of him to someday achieve gold.
“I know where I stand now,” Solis said. “My times were good and I’m satisfied with my finish. I’m unhappy I didn’t get first, but I’m still satisfied that I competed well. Now I know what I have to do to get better. I really need to work on my starts and my accelerations.”
PSJA Southwest wheelchair athlete Christian Trejo finished ninth in the shot put with a throw of 14 feet, 2 1/4 inch.
SOUR START
Joshua McGowen’s hopes of going four-for-four in podium finishes were dashed after his first event. The McAllen High senior placed sixth in the Class 6A boys triple jump with an attempt of 47 feet, 6 3/4 inches.
McGowen looked uncomfortable during his jumps, at times grimacing while picking himself up out of the sand pit.
“After practicing for five events every day for a whole season, your body starts to break down,” McGowen said. “I just wasn’t feeling it today. I felt a little heavy, like my body telling me that I’m doing too much.”
McGowen competes today in the 110 and 300 hurdles, as well as the long jump.
OTHER VALLEY FINISHERS
PSJA Memorial freshman Cruz Gomez finished eighth in the 6A boys 3200 run with a time of 9:27.62. Edinburg North’s Beth Ramos placed ninth in the 6A girls 3200 run in 11:31.46. Ramos’ teammate, Gaston Cortina, placed sixth in the 6A boys shot put with a throw of 54-11 1/4.
In the 5A boys high jump, Valley View’s Robert Rosales capped a consistent senior year with a fifth-place finish, clearing a height of 6-04. Mission Veterans Memorial’s Jesus Mata finished ninth in the 5A boys 800 run in 2:00.39. The Sharyland Pioneer boys 1600 relay team placed eighth in 5A competition with a time of 3:22.69.