PSJA Memorial’s Wiliams Macias saw victory lane in front him, well within reach.
What he didn’t see, or hear, was Boerne Champion’s Foster Wilfong barreling upon him until it was too late — 0.68 seconds too late — as Wilfong broke the tape by a neck at the UIL Class 5A Cross-Country Regional Championship on Nov. 9 in Corpus Christi.
The win stifled Macias’ attempt to repeat as the regional champion and ended a two-year streak of being unbeaten.
What it also did was set up a highly anticipated rematch today in the UIL Class 5A Cross-Country State Championship at Old Settler’s Park in Round Rock.
“He was ahead by about 40 meters,” PSJA head coach Ernie Cazares recalled. “I sent one of my coaches ahead to the finish line, and when I got there, I was told he (Macias) was all up in arms.
“He never does this but he cruised. He was killing everybody. I was like, ‘Nobody has a kick that good but he (Wilfong) kicked it in.’ He sprinted and ran the last quarter mile with all he had. He passed him on the last two steps
“Williams knew he had a lot more in the tank. He was very upset with himself.”
That sets up today’s matchup, where cross-country experts from MileSplit.com, among others, expect a similar confrontation in a sport where a one-on-one rivalry like that one that has been instantly created at the regionals doesn’t often happen.
Following Wilfong and Macias, some other Valley runners competing today include Donna High’s Kevin Hernandez and Erick Chavez Carreon (who finished fourth and seventh, respectively), Rio Grande City’s Alex Ramirez (sixth) and Sharyland Pioneer’s Cesar Ramirez. The McAllen boys team also advanced for the first time since 1975.
Sharyland High’s Danielle Salinas, Daylah Vega and La Joya Palmview’s Destiny Quintanilla also will be running in the girls state championship today.
If history has a tendency to repeat itself, Macias could be on his way to a personal-best time. During a race earlier in the season, Cazares said a runner that Macias was competing against said something offensive to the Wolverines’ runner. If the boys’ intent was to frustrate Macias, the strategy backfired. All it did was focus Macias even more as he ran with complete conviction, en route to crossing the finish line first, well ahead of the remainder of the competition.
“He ended up running his best time,” Cazares said. “And he beat that other runner by more than 35 seconds.”
Cazares said he saw that same passion the Monday after regionals.
“I show up to practice the next morning, and he’s nowhere to be found,” Cazares said. “I called him and he said he was out running 10 (miles). I told him we were supposed to be running eight. He said, “I’ve got to beat him. There’s no way I can let him do that again.
“He’s a lot like I am when it comes to the mental part and preparing for competition. He’s not aggressive, but something has to click like the guy who offended him at district. Then he’s just in another gear.”
Macias and Wilfong are expected to be two of the runners today among the favorites to win a state championship. The meet starts at 3 p.m.
“From the regional meet, I took away that I can’t be too confident with the lead and that there his someone else who can compete with me,” Macias said through his coach, who interpreted his comments for him. “It will not be easy at all for me to get beat at this meet.”
In what has turned into a made-for-TV cross-country meet, there could be a perfect ending for Macias that would make the day even more special for him.
“I would like my best effort to bring the state championship home,” said Macias, who turns 18 today. “Not just as a birthday wish, but as a gift to myself for my birthday.”