WESLACO — Track and field was never in the plans for Weslaco East’s Gael Romo. The senior had dedicated nearly 10 years of his life to basketball before making the permanent switch to sprinting as a junior.

In less than two years Romo has established himself as one of the top sprinters not only in the RGV, but in the state, holding top-10 marks in Class 5A in the 100- and 200-meter dash heading into this weekend’s Region IV-5A/6A track and field championships at Heroes Stadium in San Antonio.

Romo’s rise hasn’t come without struggle. Before getting to where he is now, he had to climb out of what he described as the “darkest moments” of his life.

Basketball was always Plan A for Romo. He was born into a basketball family with both his father and brother playing the sport.

Romo seemed destined to follow in their footsteps, beginning his career on the hardwood during the first grade. From countless hours in the gym working with trainers and numerous miles spent on the road competing with AAU teams, Romo was on the path to potential basketball stardom.

Romo’s hard work led to him earning a spot on the Wildcats’ varsity roster as a freshman. Though he didn’t see much playing time, Romo seemed headed in the right direction.

“I’ve known Gael since he was little,” Weslaco East head coach Zeke Rodriguez said. “He always played against my son in basketball at the Boys and Girls Club. He was always a really spunky kid and played with a lot of confidence. He was always very fast, as we all know. When I first got the job, I was coming off of my heart attack and (Gael) was hopeful I would have an opportunity to coach him. The job opened up at East, and it was almost kind of a godsend. As soon as I got in there, he told me whatever I wanted him to do he would do.”

As a sophomore, Romo’s high school basketball career seemed to be taking off. He took over as the team’s starting point guard midway through the season, helping Weslaco East capture its first playoff berth in four years.

His career was on an upward trajectory heading into his junior year.

Then, something changed.

“After making the playoffs for the first time in a long time, I felt like I was on the right track,” Romo said. “We played against a tough McHi team in the first round that went to the Elite Eight and only lost by, like, six points. I realized I was on the right track and then I got a snap back to reality.”

Romo began struggling on the court, no longer producing at the level he was accustomed to. His struggles sent him to the bench, seeing fewer and fewer minutes.

He began hearing people around campus talk. Romo also began to battle with his own inner thoughts.

“It changed everything for me,” Romo said. “In my mind, I felt nobody was working harder than me. It just didn’t translate to the court what I was working on. I’m not blaming the coach or anything. I understand I just couldn’t produce. It put me in a rough spot mentally.”

The culmination of outside noise and dealing with his own inner demons led Romo down a dark path. His academic and social life also began to take a toll.

He also began using drugs to cope with it all, Romo said, nearly overdosing at one point. Shortly after, he began contemplating suicide, a moment Romo describes as the “lowest” of his life.

“I started struggling really badly with my mental health,” Romo said. “I had loved the sport for 10, almost 11 years, and it felt like I had just gotten it taken away from me. It put me in a rough situation. My grades started to drop. I started getting into problems with my family and friends. It really took a toll on me. There were points where I really contemplated suicide. I’d just see the negative in every single thing. Then, I don’t know, I just found peace again.”

In his darkest moments, Romo found light. Sitting alone in his room during what he described as a “week-long self-quarantine,” he had a coming-to-God moment, thinking of how much worse things could be.

He thought about his mom, who had been dealing with her own personal struggles. He thought about himself and what he wanted to be. Then he just let go.

“I just realized things could be a lot worse for me,” Romo said. “The things we complain about, like being a bench warmer, it doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things. There are people out there without jobs or other real issues. I was alone in my room, like a quarantine, and just found God again. I finally accepted it was time to move on to the next chapter of my life. It was about me growing up and realizing that the sport had become toxic for me. I may have loved this for such a long time, but I knew it was time to let go.”

Romo officially quit basketball at the end of the 2022 campaign. After walking away, Romo felt a weight lifted off his shoulders, figuratively and literally, running his then-fastest time in the 100-meter dash the ensuing meet.

That is when he realized he could do something with the sport. Romo began focusing on correcting his form and cutting down his time, watching YouTube and TikTok videos for instructional advice.

The then-junior saw his time drop significantly, advancing all the way to the Region IV-5A finals. His season ended there with a fifth place.

“Gael dealt with some issues when he was with us,” Rodriguez said. “It is always tough going from being a starter then going to the bench. He definitely had a little more to give us, but with what he gave us on the court, he helped us establish a tradition on the court. We talked, and he knew it was going to be hard for him to walk away because it was the sport he loved. I said to him that sometimes God puts things in front of us that are going to be the best for us. He helped us and now he’s helping that track program.”

All things seemed to be going good for Romo before another obstacle presented itself. Going into this season, he felt an uncomfortable pain in his back. He tried to run through it during the offseason, but he could feel something was wrong.

Romo went to see specialists, where he was informed he had what he described as a crooked back. Appointments with chiropractors didn’t seem to help with the pain, leading Romo to believe his track career was over before it even started.

Romo didn’t sink back to what he once did. Instead, he embraced the battle with a new resilient mindset. Eventually, he began responding to the treatments, getting back to where he was, and then some, right as track season began.

“It was another tough moment realizing I was getting slower than last year,” Romo said. “The situation that had happened where I was contemplating suicide, it ended up helping me out this summer. I realized I was in a similar spot to what I was then, but this time I knew how to handle it. I was more mature and resilient mentally. I just kept my head down and kept grinding.”

Since then, Romo has been blazing a new path on the track. The senior opened the season with a hand-timed mark of 10.2 seconds in the 100 at the Bobby Morrow Relays in San Benito.

He’s reeled off 10 straight wins in the 100 and 200 against Valley opponents, including capturing the District 32-5A and Area 31/32-5A titles in both events.

Romo also set the second-fastest time in Valley history in the 100 this season, with his mark of 10.52 seconds ranking only behind Harlingen High’s Jose Garcia.

He enters this weekend’s Region IV-5A track and field championships as a favorite to win the 100 and 200, holding the top time in the region in both events, according to Athletic.net.

“You just wanted him to succeed,” Weslaco East track and field head coach Tom Owens said. “I didn’t know the whole story and I still don’t know the whole story, but you see a kid struggling like that and you just want to do your best to make him successful because he gave up a lot. Basketball was his love. He came out after last year with a competitive fire and wants to do more and more. How many kids ask for that?”

Romo couldn’t picture being where he is now when he reflects on where he was almost a year ago. Running helped him go from his darkest moment to an NCAA Division I athlete, signing to run collegiately at UTRGV next fall earlier this month.

While he has enjoyed winning gold medals and rising to the top, Romo finds true motivation in another place. The gold medals will fade and eventually his track career will end, he said.

Instead, he focuses on inspiring the next generation of RGV athletes, showing them that anything is possible. He shares his own story of his battle with depression and suicidal ideations in hopes of reaching out to those who are in a similar boat and showing them there is light at the end of the tunnel.

“I contemplated suicide and everything,” Romo said. “Now, I am honestly grateful for those days because now I can see the bigger picture. I can see the highs that came from the lows. I never pictured this then. I’ve seen myself happy and confident, but also at the very bottom. I just want to tell anyone going through it to look for their own peace and stick to yourself. If you’re in a rough situation, try to find some help and talk to people you really trust. Life takes bad days and good days, but it isn’t the end.”

If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, text TALK to 741741 or visit https://988lifeline.org/.

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Less than three weeks remain in the UIL’s 2023 track and field season, with the state meet set for mid-May at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin.

RGV athletes, along with others from across the state, will look to punch their tickets to the state meet this weekend, with regional meets taking place at various locations across Texas.

No event, however, features more Valley competitors than the Region IV-5A/6A track and field championships, with nearly 200 RGV athletes set to fight for a berth at the state meet.

Only a handful of those athletes will see their track and field season continue, with the top two finishers in each event advancing. Still, the goal remains the same for the RGV’s athletes: survive and advance.

LOAD THE BUS

No two RGV programs will have more representation at this weekend’s meet than Harlingen High and McAllen High. The Valley’s track and field powers are sending a combined 27 individuals and five relay teams to this weekend’s events.

Harlingen High, which is competing in Class 6A, has eight girls and six boys set to compete in individual events, some of which are slated to participate in more than one. The Cardinals’ boys team also sends a pair of relay teams to the meet.

The Cardinals are highlighted by Faith Franklin and Jazmine Thompson, both of whom are ranked among the top in the state in their respective events. Franklin, a junior, ranks No. 1 in Region IV-6A in the 100-, 200-, and 400-meter dash according to Athletic.net. She is set to compete in all three at the regional meet.

Thompson ranks No. 1 in Region IV-6A in the shot put and holds the second-highest mark in the discus.

The Bulldogs are loaded with talent of their own, qualifying nine girls and four boys in individual events, several of whom are set to participate in multiple events. They also qualified a pair of boys relay teams and one girls relay team to the meet.

Sophomore hurdler Dariana Luna is one of the top McHi athletes on the team, earning regional bids in the 100- and 300-meter hurdles. Luna holds the No. 2 mark in 100-meter hurdles in Region IV-5A.

ATHLETES TO WATCH

While Harlingen High and McAllen High have the most athletes set to compete, several other athletes from across the RGV are gearing up for a potential state title bid.

McAllen Memorial’s Ayden Granados, the reigning Region IV-5A champion in the 1,600 and 3,200, is back to defend his title and is an early favorite to punch his ticket to state. The Oklahoma State signee holds the top mark in the region in both events.

Edinburg North’s San Juanita Leal came up short of winning both the 1,600 and 3,200 during last year’s regional meet, finishing second in the 1,600. She enters this year’s Region IV-6A meet on a tear, undefeated in both events and holding a top-two mark in the state in both.

Rio Grande City’s Serina Ramirez has been one of the best RGV throwers in the Valley throughout her four-year career with the Rattlers. Nothing has changed for the TCU signee this year, as she holds the top seed in the Region IV-5A girls discus and shot put heading into the meet and eyes her third straight state meet appearance.

Brownsville Veterans Memorial’s Gerry Gomez also is making his regional meet return, with his sights set on back-to-back state bids. Gomez, who finished fourth in the triple jump during last year’s Region IV-5A meet, is the top-ranked triple jumper in the region, according to Athletic.net.

Other names to watch include Edinburg North runner Keyshawn Garcia, Sharyland High thrower Chukwubueze Ikondu, McAllen Memorial Hurdler Alicia Ziegler and Mission Veterans athlete Tara Madrid, among others.

FRESHMAN PHENOMS

While several RGV athletes are making a return to the regional meet, seven Valley freshman are making first-time appearances in the event, hoping to continue their season into the state meet.

McAllen High is home to a pair of freshman regional qualifiers in Sophia Flores and Yaneli Rocha, with Flores set to compete in the 100 and Rocha in the 400 and 800.

Sharyland Pioneer also is sending a pair of freshman to the meet. Thrower Derek Thompson is set to compete in the Region IV-5A shot put, and distance runner Alexandra Moya is scheduled to compete in the 800.

Brownsville Veterans’ Yasmin Best, Los Fresnos’ Isabella Vasquez and Weslaco East’s Aaron Nava round out the RGV’s 5A/6A freshman group at the regional meet. Best qualified for the Region IV-5A high jump, Vasquez for the Region IV-6A 800 and Nava for the 3,200.

For a full list of regional qualifiers and schedule of events, visit RGVSports.com.

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PHARR — Harlingen High’s Chris Rodriguez had never competed in the hurdles prior to last season. That changed when his athleticism on the football field caught the eye of Harlingen High receiver and hurdle coach Randy Bermea.

After talking with Bermea, Rodriguez was sold on giving the sport a shot his junior year. It took almost no time for Rodriguez to find his footing in both the 100- and 300-meter hurdles, capturing the District 32-6A crown in both events during his first year.

He added back-to-back district titles in both events during the 32-6A meet two weeks ago, entering this week’s area meet.

Rodriguez continued to shine Thursday, capturing the gold in both events during the area 31/32-6A track and field championships at PSJA Stadium in Pharr.

“I had been on the varsity football team since my junior year, and all year Coach (Bermea) was telling me he was going to get me to run the hurdles and get me to state,” Rodriguez said. “Finally, I said let’s do it and that is how it all started. Ever since then I have just been improving. I just wish I did it my freshman year instead of waiting.”

Rodriguez set personal bests in both events during the area meet, each mark ranking among the top 10 in Region IV-6A according to Athletic.net.

His time of 14.71 during the 110-meter hurdles ranks No. 7 in Region IV-6A heading into next week’s regional meet according to Athletic.net.

Rodriguez’s best event has been the 300-meter hurdles, however, with his time of 38.41 tied for first in the region with San Antonio Reagan’s Liam Lecavalier heading into the regional meet.

His success in the 300-meter hurdles should come as no surprise after working with Bermea for the past two years. The Cardinals’ hurdling coach won the gold in the same event during the Class 5A state meet in 2012.

Rodriguez will try to follow in his coach’s footsteps during the Region IV-6A meet next week at Heroes Stadium and secure the first state berth of his career.

“It has been really interesting working with Coach Bermea,” Rodriguez said. “He went to state and did great things during his high school career. I feel like he is just trying to instill that same thing in me with my career. I’m just ready for the next meet and getting to state.”

Rodriguez isn’t the only Harlingen High hurdler shining under the tutelage of Bermea. Sophomore Alana Rouquette has evolved into one of the top hurdlers in the Valley and region in just her second year competing in the events, capturing District 32-6A titles in both the 100- and 300-meter hurdles this year.

She continued to show her growth during the area meet, winning the 31/32-6A area crown in the 100-meter hurdles with a personal-best time of 15.91 seconds. The sophomore hurdler added a silver medal in the 300-meter hurdles.

Harlingen High sophomore Alana Rouquette competes in the 100-meter hurdles during the Area 31/32-6A track and field championships Thursday at PSJA Stadium in Pharr. (Joel Martinez | The Monitor) Joel Martinez

“Last year was my first year doing hurdles,” Rouquette said. “Somehow Coach Bermea convinced me to come out. He is an incredible coach. He is different than any coach I’ve had. Track was just supposed to be about conditioning, then I went to one hurdle practice and now I am here.”

Rouquette’s gold medal was just one of seven won by Harlingen High’s girls team. Junior Faith Franklin brought in the most gold, taking home first in the 100, 200 and 400.

Harlingen High junior Faith Franklin cruises to first in the 100-meter dash during the Area 31/32-6A track and field championships Thursday at PSJA Stadium in Pharr. (Joel Martinez | The Monitor) Joel Martinez

Junior thrower Jazmine Thompson added a pair of gold medals in the discus and shot put during the field events Wednesday, and Brianna Venegas and Emma Reyes added first-place finishes in the 800 and pole vault, respectively.

The Cardinals’ seven gold medals marked the most of any girls team during the meet, earning them the overall team championship with 132 points. Edinburg Economedes finished second with 89 and Los Fresnos was third with 82.

Edinburg North brought in the most gold medals on the boys side, racking up seven total. Seniors Keyshawn Garcia and Alexis Rodriguez each recorded a pair of first-place finishes.

Garcia took home the gold in the 400 and 800 with times of 49.03 and 1:53.77, respectively. Meanwhile, Rodriguez captured area titles in the 1,600 and 3,200, the first area championships of his career.

Despite Edinburg North recording the most first-place finishes, it was Harlingen High’s boys team that took home the team title, recording 130 points to top the Cougars. Edinburg North finished second with 115.

Harlingen High’s pair of team titles marked the second straight meet the Cardinals have swept the overall championships, winning the District 32-6A championships last week.

For a full list of regional qualifiers and results from Thursday’s meet, visit RGVSports.com.

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PHARR — Chukwubueze Ikondu’s journey to the top has been unlike most. The senior thrower immigrated from Nigeria to the United States in 2020.

Ikondu enrolled at Sharyland High and got his first taste of track and field, joining the Rattlers’ team with aspirations of being a runner. Those dreams didn’t last long, quickly figuring out he wasn’t fast enough to compete as a sprinter.

What he didn’t realize then, however, is how his thwarted dreams of being a sprinter would prove to be a blessing in disguise, being pushed toward trying throwing events.

“When I first came here from Nigeria in 2020, that is when I first entered track and field,” Ikondu said. “Before that, I hadn’t done any sports seriously. I would play some sports in my own time, but nothing serious. At first, I wanted to run but I wasn’t really fast enough, so somebody told me I should go throw. I started throwing then, but I didn’t really know what discus was. They had it in my country, but I didn’t really pay attention to it. I came in having to learn the basics, like getting the spin right.”

Fast forward three years, and Ikondu has mastered the basics and then some, capturing his first district title in the event during last week’s District 31-5A meet.

On Thursday, he solidified his position as one of the best throwers not only in the Valley but in the state, adding an area title with a personal-best mark of 179 feet, 11 inches during the area 31/32-5A track and field championships at PSJA Stadium in Pharr.

“I couldn’t ever imagine being here three years ago,” Ikondu said. “When I first started, I didn’t really like discus. But eventually I just started getting into it. I just started to imagine God sending my disc out. I just started getting better at it. The more you get better at something, the more you start to like it. People love that because it is a sign of your human growth. Getting where I am today, it is all thanks to the support from my family. They’re not here today, but they’re still supporting from behind. I’m here today, though, thanks to God.”

Ikondu entered the 2023 campaign with high expectations for himself after seeing massive improvement after one year of training. Last year, he improved from a personal-best mark of 114-9 as a sophomore to 161 feet as a junior.

This season, he set his sights on hitting the 180-feet mark, knowing it would give him the best chance to compete at the state level.

Despite falling just an inch short during the area meet, Ikondu finds himself among elite company, breaking the area meet record set by former PSJA Southwest and current Oklahoma thrower Diego Trevino in 2019 by nearly eight feet.

His mark also ranks No. 1 in Region IV-5A and No. 3 in Class 5A heading into next weekend’s regional meet, according to Athletic.net.

“At district, I feel like I didn’t do so good, so I was feeling down after that day,” Ikondu said. “After that, though, I came into practice and got my emotions right. I’m right there, nearly hitting the 180 mark now. Yesterday I hit 180 feet during practice. Today just makes it closer to official. Now, when people ask me what my best mark is I can say it officially. But in regionals, I’m aiming for above 180 feet now.”

Ikondu is set to compete in the Region IV-5A track and field championships next week at Heroes Stadium in San Antonio.

The regional berth marks the second straight year he has qualified for the meet in the discus, finishing 10th in the event last season and missing out on state.

This season, however, Ikondu is entering the regional meet full of confidence, eyeing a top-two finish and more.

“The mindset going into regionals, and really every meet, is PR every day,” he said. “At regionals, I’m going to go try to PR again and make it to state. Then at state, that’s where we’re going for our biggest marks and hopefully finish as the best in 5A.”

Ikondu isn’t the only RGV athlete making their return to the regional meet next week.

Brownsville Veterans jumper Gerry Gomez secured a pair of regional berths, qualifying in the triple and long jump. Gomez claimed back-to-back area titles in the triple jump with a mark of 44-7, adding a bronze medal in the long jump with a jump of 20-10.

Sharyland Pioneer’s Evan Thompson added a pair of regional berths himself with top-four finishes in the shot put and discus.

Sharyland Pioneer senior Evan Thompson competes in the shot put during the Area 31/32-5A track and field championships Thursday at PSJA Stadium in Pharr. (Joel Martinez | The Monitor) Joel Martinez

The Incarnate Word signee captured his second straight area title in the shot put with a mark of 59-6.5, breaking the meet record set by Sharyland Pioneer’s Johnny Howell (57-8) in 2019. Thompson also qualified in the discus, finishing fourth with a mark of 151-8.

PSJA Southwest’s Marcela Treviño also secured a regional berth in the girls discus throw, her second straight appearance. Treviño set a personal and meet record on her way to the gold, recording a throw of 144-8.

PSJA Southwest junior Marcela Trevino competes in the discus throw during the Area 31/32-5A track and field championships Thursday at PSJA Stadium in Pharr. (Joel Martinez | [email protected]) Joel Martinez

“I just felt it on that throw today,” Trevino said. “The goal for this year, it was just to improve and keep surviving until state. Last year, I kind of came out of nowhere. This year, I have that confidence in myself now that more people know about me.”

In the running events, McAllen Memorial senior Ayden Granados and PSJA Southwest sophomore Yazmin Guerra defended their area championships in the boys and girls 3,200-meter runs, respectively.

Granados finished in 9 minutes, 40.44 seconds to win his second straight 3,200-meter area title, and Guerra clocked in 11:18.99 to also secure a second straight area crown.

McAllen Memorial senior Ayden Granados points to the sky after winning the 3,200-meter run during the Area 31/32-5A track and field championships Thursday at PSJA Stadium in Pharr. (Joel Martinez | The Monitor) Joel Martinez

For a full list of regional qualifiers and results from Thursday’s area 31/32-5A championships, visit RGVSports.com.

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Finding immediate success at the varsity level in any sport as a freshman is no easy task. Most freshmen spend their first year competing against other freshmen, while a select few can make the immediate jump to the junior varsity level.

Even if a first-year student does crack the varsity roster, it does not always equal a successful campaign. Growing pains are likely to happen as they compete against more experienced athletes. For a rare few, however, success is almost instant.

Weslaco East’s Aaron Nava is among those select few.

The freshman distance runner burst onto the scene during cross country season, capturing the District 32-5A individual crown before his season ended in the Region IV-5A championships with a 14th-place finish, missing out on a state berth by one place.

He has continued his dominance on the track, earning District 32-5A titles in the 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs two weeks ago to secure a spot at today’s area 31/32-5A track and field championships at PSJA Stadium in Pharr.

“Honestly, especially during cross country season, all the expectations I set for myself according to science, I exceeded all those quite well,” Nava said. “I don’t like setting limits for myself. At first, competing was pretty scary. But I just reminded myself that I have been doing this since I was 5. I did summer track and made it to state five times there. I just want to represent the Valley and do my part in getting people to look down here.”

Less than a full year into his freshman season, Nava has emerged as one of the RGV’s top distance runners, with three district titles under his belt. His success, however, goes beyond the RGV.

His top marks in both the 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs rank among the top 10 in Region IV-5A according to Athletic.net.

His personal-best mark of 4 minutes, 27.19 seconds in the 1,600-meter run during the RGVCA Meet of Champions ranks eighth in the region, and his time of 9:29.23 in the 3,200-meter run set during the same meet ranks fifth.

“I’ve seen this kid grow up,” Weslaco East boys track and field coach Tom Owens said. “He is the son of two coaches, so he has a good foundation and a good support network. The expectations are high, but what I noticed about him more than any kid I’ve had is his level of competitiveness. He is a competitor. There hasn’t been a workout he hasn’t been able to finish. He hasn’t had any bad races. He is very consistent. He exceeded my expectations, big time.”

Nava has enjoyed winning district titles as a freshman, he said, but his eyes are set on something much bigger.

“I’ve always had this thing where before every season I’d get a notebook and write down goals for myself with my brother and dad,” Nava said. “Unfortunately, I got sick during cross country season and missed state by one place. Now I’m focused on getting there in track.”

Up first, however, is a clash against some of the best distance runners the region has to offer in McAllen Memorial’s Ayden Granados and Sharyland High’s Valdemar Meza, among others during today’s area meet.

A top-four finish during the events secures a spot in next week’s Region IV-5A championships. Nava enters both races seeded fourth.

“Running against this level of competition has helped me improve as a runner,” Nava said. “Having tons of good competition running with me at every meet has really helped me take it to another level. I’m trying to make this year as long as possible for me now. I’m going to go out there and try to qualify for regional in both events.”

Nava is not the only freshman to experience success on the track this season. He highlights a group of seven RGV Class 5A freshmen athletes who captured individual district titles heading into today’s area meet.

McAllen High is home to two of those athletes, with Sophia Flores and Yaneli Rocha each capturing an individual crown during last week’s District 31-5A meet.

Flores continued to blaze past her competition during the meet, winning the 100-meter dash final with a time of 12.74 seconds. Her victory marked the third time this year Flores has won the gold in the event this year.

Meanwhile, Rocha secured the gold in the 800-meter run with a time of 2 minutes, 18.41 seconds. The first place marked the sixth time in as many tries Rocha has finished in the top three in the event this year.

Harlingen South joined the Bulldogs with a pair of freshman champions of their own in Cash Harrell and Kennedy Reininger. Harrell took home the discus title during the District 32-5A meet with a personal-best mark of 140 feet, 11 inches, and Reininger earned the 100-meter hurdles crown with a personal-best time of 17.43.

Brownsville Veterans’ Yasmin Best and Sharyland Pioneer’s Alexandra Moya round out the list of RGV 5A freshmen to earn district titles, with Best doing so during the 32-5A meet and Moya during the 31-5A meet.

Best cleared 5 feet in the high jump to win the title over fellow freshman and teammate Sophie Guerrier (4-10), and Moya picked up her fifth straight victory in the 400-meter run, claiming the title with a time of 57.86.

All seven freshmen are set to compete during today’s area 31/32-5A track and field championships. The meet begins at 9:30 a.m. with the 3,200-meter run. Field events are set to follow at 10 a.m., with running finals scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.

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WESLACO — Let it all out.

That was the message Harlingen High head coach Hickel Woolery had for Jazmine Thompson as she competed in the shot put Wednesday.

Thompson did just that.

On her fifth attempt of the day, the junior thrower let out a fierce battle cry as the shot flew out of her hands, pouring it all into the throw.

The emotional throw led to a personal-best mark of 45 feet, 3.25 inches, securing the gold during the area 31/32-6A track and field championships at Bobby Lackey Stadium in Weslaco.

Thompson’s throw also set a new area meet and school record.

“It was very stressful,” Thompson said. “I had a really rough week with learning reverse shot and trying to get my discus form down. Today, I don’t know what happened. My coach told me to use my emotions, and that really helped. Apparently, I had a lot of them. I just tapped into everything I’ve ever felt in that moment.”

Thompson’s gold-medal performance in the shot put was the second of the day for the junior. She opened her afternoon with a first-place finish in the discus with a mark of 149-1.

Her pair of gold medals mark back-to-back area titles for the Cardinals’ thrower, sending her back to the Region IV-6A track and field championships for a second straight year.

The Region IV-6A championships are scheduled for April 28-29 at Heroes Stadium in San Antonio.

“It is a really big deal getting back to regionals, but this was the plan from the beginning,” Thompson said. “We’ve been on go mode all year. Everything before were all practice meets. Now it is the big time. We’re looking to peak. It is time to go. I’m trying to put my name out there and put the Valley on the map.”

Thompson will be joined at the regional meet by Los Fresnos’ Karina Alvarez. The senior thrower was unsure where she’d be this time of the year after tearing her ACL during the summer.

Alvarez battled back from the ACL tear, getting back in the ring in late December to gear up for the 2023 season. After a sixth-place finish to open the season, Alvarez has been on a tear, finishing top two in eight of nine meets since.

She added another top-two finish Wednesday, claiming the silver with a personal-best and school-record throw of 42-7.25. The regional berth marks the second straight for Alvarez.

Los Fresnos senior Karina Alvarez finished second at the 31/32-6A area meet Wednesday at Bobby Lackey Stadium in Weslaco. (Ivan Palacios | RGVSports.com)

“There were some big moments leading up to this where I felt I wasn’t going to be able to make it out here,” Alvarez said. “I thought I wasn’t going to be able to make it back in time. I’d see the other girls throwing, and see them getting better and better. I just kept asking myself why I couldn’t just throw already. Finally, being cleared in December and now doing this, it just feels really good.”

Edinburg North swept the top spot in the podium during the meet’s lone running event of the day, the 3,200-meter run.

Junior San Juanita Leal captured the gold in the girls race, her fifth-straight victory in the event this season. Senior Alexis Rodriguez took home first in the boys race, marking the third time this year he has won in the event.

Official times from the 3,200-meter run were unavailable as of press time Wednesday.

The area 31/32-6A track and field championships conclude with the running event finals at 6 p.m. today at PSJA Stadium in Pharr.

For full results from Day 1 of the meet, visit RGVSports.com.

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SAN BENITO — San Benito’s Mariano Garcia and DeAnthony Mireles stepped onto the gridiron together nearly every year of their football careers.

The duo started playing the sport together at age 4, competing on San Benito’s TYFA team, the Greyhounds.

The two turned into rivals for a pair of seasons during their middle school years, with Garcia attending Miller Jordan Middle School and Mireles playing at Berta Cabaza Middle School, before reuniting once again at San Benito High School as freshmen.

After terrorizing opposing offenses together the past four years, Garcia and Mireles are set to go their separate ways once again.

The San Benito duo signed with opposing conference rivals Tuesday, with Garcia joining Hardin-Simmons University and Mireles joining Texas Lutheran University during a joint ceremony at the San Benito Gym.

Hardin-Simmons and Texas Lutheran are both NCAA Division III programs that compete in the American Southwest Conference in football.

“It is something we dreamed about since we were little,” Mireles said. “Knowing Mariano since we were 4 years old, we just knew we’d have the chance to play at the next level. Now we get to sign together. It is exciting knowing we’re going to our respective schools and being able to play each other every year.”

“It is definitely exciting being able to play together with one of your friends pretty much throughout,” Garcia said. “Now, seeing each other realize our dream and to be able to go chase it, it is amazing. It is kind of ironic after our careers together. But it is something to look forward to. Seeing your friend on the other side at the college level, it is something out of a dream.”

Garcia joins the Cowboys after a stellar three-year career with the Greyhounds. He served as the heart and soul of the Greyhounds’ defense this past season, leading the teams in tackles (127) and tackles for loss (26).

The hard-hitting linebacker had a knack for the big play all year long as well, racking up 8.5 sacks and forcing five fumbles.

His dominant 2022 campaign earned him a spot on the first All-Valley Football team, and he also was named the 2022 Valley Morning Star All-Area Defensive Player of the Year.

San Benito Greyhounds’ Mariano Garcia (8).(Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald) Denise Cathey

“With Mariano, football is just something he does. He also excels academically,” San Benito defensive coordinator Johnny Garza said. “The kid does AP classes and (is) a scholar. Having that type of intelligence when he stepped on to the football field, it helped me tremendously because he was able to assist and guide players on the field when I’m not there. Then the way he watches film, he just knew what was going to happen before the play developed.”

Mireles joins the Bulldogs after spending two years as a starter on San Benito’s defense, doing a little of everything for the Greyhounds.

This past season, Mireles was one of the Valley’s top lockdown defenders, recording five pass deflections and three interceptions.

The Texas Lutheran signee also provided support against the run, ranking fourth on the team in tackles (87), adding four tackles for loss and one forced fumble. His senior season play earned him a spot on RGVSports.com’s inaugural All-Valley team.

San Benito Greyhounds’ DeAnthony Mireles (24).(Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald) Denise Cathey

“DeAnthony had big shoulder pads to fill since he comes from a football family,” Garza said. “His older brother played safety at San Benito years back, before our staff got here. He was tremendous himself, so DeAnthony knew he had big shoes to fill. He was a great football player. People see him and don’t think much about him, but when we start playing people know he’s a heck of a football player.”

With Garcia and Mireles on the field, San Benito fielded one of the Valley’s most terrorizing defenses the past two years.

The Greyhounds ranked No. 1 in District 32-6A in points and yards allowed per game the past two seasons. Their 12 points per game allowed this past season also ranked No. 3 among all Class 6A teams in the state.

For the first time since middle school, Garcia and Mireles will be trying to stop each other’s offenses next fall, when Hardin-Simmons hosts Texas Lutheran at 1 p.m. Oct. 14 at Shelton Stadium in Abilene.

When the game finishes, however, San Benito’s dynamic duo plans to meet on the field and celebrate, just like the players have all their lives.

“We’re probably going to hate each other while we’re playing,” Garcia said. “After the game, though, it’ll be just like always. It is always fun playing against your friend. It’ll be like being little kids again.”

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GEORGETOWN — Mission accomplished.

After seeing their season end in the regional semifinals last season, the Hidalgo Pirates set their sights on redeeming themselves and winning the state title.

Their journey didn’t come without challenges. The Pirates battled through a mid-season coaching change, forfeited games and a player returned from a torn ACL. None of it mattered.

Hidalgo finished its mission Friday, sailing past Palestine 3-0 to capture the 2023 UIL Boys Soccer Class 4A state championship at Birkelbach Field in Georgetown.

The victory makes the 2023 Pirates the seventh RGV squad to capture the state title in the sport since Lopez first did it in 2004. They join Brownsville Porter as the only other RGV team to win multiple state titles, also earning the Class 4A championship in 2009.

Congrats to the Hidalgo Pirates on a phenomenal season. They are your 2023 Class 4A boys soccer state champs! #RGVSoccer #RGVFutbol pic.twitter.com/YyQUMI32Wo

— Ivan Palacios (@ByIvanPalacios) April 14, 2023

“I’ll be honest, it wasn’t easy,” Hidalgo head coach Esteban Alegria said. “At the end of the day, the boys are what keep me going. Them showing up every day to do everything. All the glory goes to them. I keep them going and they keep me going. We fed off each other and look where it got us. That is what it came down to, chemistry. We all just love each other. We got to get new uniforms with two stars on it now.”

It only took 20 minutes for Hidalgo to secure the state title, asserting dominance with three goals midway through the first period.

Hidalgo senior forward Rey Cantu got the team on the board just three minutes into the contest on a left-footed shot from just inside the box.

Cantu wasn’t done. The superstar forward added to the Pirates’ lead two minutes later, delivering a booming free kick into the bottom right corner of the net to make it 2-0 just five minutes into the contest. Cantu’s two-goal performance earned him the game’s MVP award.

GOAL HIDALGO! Cantu strikes again! This time he delivers a rocket from 20 yards to make it 2-0 Hidalgo with 35 minutes left in the half. #RGVSoccer #RGVFutbol pic.twitter.com/2Rsejt5zsO

— Ivan Palacios (@ByIvanPalacios) April 14, 2023

“Coach (Zeke) Morales told me before the game that I was going to be the one to score the goals,” Cantu said. “He told me I had to go for everything. I came out with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. I was just thinking I needed to make these goals quick to put it away quick and thanks to God I was able to make it happen.”

The Pirates kept their foot on the gas despite the early two-goal lead, playing the aggressor and dominating possession for the majority of the contest.

The constant pressure led to a third score midway through the first half, with senior captain Joaquin Rosales firing a laser from outside the box to make it 3-0 before the break.

The shot all but ended the Wildcats hopes, leaving them deflated before halftime even came.

GOAL HIDALGO! Joaquin Rosales with a strike from outside the box to make it 3-0 midway through the first. #RGVSoccer #RGVFutbol pic.twitter.com/U7W7imJu6d

— Ivan Palacios (@ByIvanPalacios) April 14, 2023

“I’m so happy for this moment,” Rosales said. “I told you in January after the Copa Frontera that the state champion was going to change this year. I knew it was going to happen. Thanks to God we are state champs again after 14 years. We’re going to wear this with pride. We are the Valley’s state champs this year.”

The 2023 season was full of obstacles for the Pirates before the season even started. Cantu, the team’s leading scorer for the previous two seasons suffered an ACL tear during the Pirates’ postseason run last year, leaving him sidelined until January.

The Pirates’ season was delivered another blow just four games into district, with then-head coach Zeke Morales being relieved of his duties following a self-reported UIL infraction. The infraction also led to a self-imposed forfeit of four district contests.

None of that could slow the Pirates march to state. Cantu came back better than ever, netting a career-high 40 goals in 13 district games, the top mark in the RGV.

The team also rallied around head coach Esteban Alegria, with Morales still supporting the team from the stands throughout their postseason run.

“We’re brothers here and a great team,” Cantu said. “It didn’t matter what was going on within our community. None of that mattered. We knew our goal was to win and we were going to fight with everything we had. Thanks to God and with the work from our coaches, including Coach Morales who was always supporting us still, we were able to get here and become state champs.”

The Pirates finish the year with a 29-7-3 overall record. Hidalgo outscored its district opponents 101-8, finishing second in District 30-4A with a 10-4 mark. Their four district losses came as a result of the self-imposed forfeits.

They continued their dominance in the postseason, outscoring their seven opponents 26-7, including back-to-back shutouts in the Class 4A state tournament. Their postseason run included victories over five district champs, including reigning back-to-back Class 4A state champion Boerne in the Region IV-4A finals.

Hidalgo’s state championship ends a seven-year drought by the RGV, becoming the latest team to win it all since Brownsville Porter did so in 2016.

“It is surreal,” Alegria said. “All the glory goes to the boys. All the hard work they’ve done and the backing from the community. Again, this is for the Valley. This is for back home. This is for everyone in the 956. I’m just without words at this moment.”

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GEORGETOWN — El Paso Bel Air poured in four straight goals to erase an early Sharyland High lead and the Highlanders ended the Rattlers’ season 4-1 in a Class 5A state semifinal Thursday at Birkelbach Field.

The Rattlers finish the season with a 19-5-5 overall record, including a 12-1-5 mark during district play to capture a share of the District 31-5A champion.

Their run to the Class 5A state semifinals marked the second time in program history they made it to the state tournament.

“I think in their playing style, that is how they got us,” Sharyland High head coach Jorge Guerra said. “Their game plan and the way they executed it, we knew what they were going to do but we just couldn’t stop them. We tried implementing our game, and we just struggled a lot. Give Bel Air all the credit. I hope they win state.”

The Rattlers struck gold early, earning a penalty kick just a minute into the game following a foul by Bel Air on senior forward Alan Guerrero.

Moments later, senior captain Jose Sanchez did what he’s done all season, converting the penalty attempt to put Sharyland High up 1-0. The goal marked his fourth of the postseason.

The lead was short-lived, with El Paso Bel Air tying the contest just five minutes later on a laser shot from Ruben Esparza.

Esparza’s goal unraveled the Rattlers’ defense, giving up the lead during the 28th minute to send the Rattlers into the break trailing 2-1.

The Highlanders continued to pour it on during the second half, extending their lead to two on a goal by Oscar Ibarra during the 54th minute. Esparza netted his second goal of the day to make it 4-1 with 15 minutes left, all but sealing the Rattlers’ fate.

“I don’t think we did a bad job, but they got the best of us,” Sanchez said. “They knew where to attack us and hit us good. After they scored that second shot they kept the momentum, and we got off slowly. It just wasn’t our day. Just like they won 4-1, we could have done it as well. It just went their way today, and I wish them the best on Saturday.”

The Rattlers are now 1-1 in state semifinal games, defeating Mansfield 3-1 during the 2012 Class 5A state semifinals. Sharyland High went on to capture the state title that season, defeating Katy Morton Ranch in a shootout.

Sharyland High’s march to the Class 5A state tournament this season included four straight shutout victories, outscoring their first four postseason opponents 12-0. A 2-1 victory over Leander Rouse in the Region IV-5A final secured a spot in the Class 5A state tournament for the Rattlers for just the second time in program history.

“That is how this game goes sometimes,” Guerra said. “Sometimes no matter how much you want it, things just don’t go your way. It didn’t go our way today. It wasn’t our best game, but I’m proud of these boys and all their hard work. It is an unforgettable season for me and them. We just have to continue going forward.”

The 2023 UIL state soccer tournament continues today for the RGV, with Hidalgo still alive after defeating San Elizario 1-0 in a Class 4A state semifinal. They’ll take on the Palestine Wildcats in the Class 4A state championship game at 2:30 p.m. at Birkelbach Field.

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GEORGETOWN — Hidalgo’s Rey Cantu is no stranger to finding the back of the net. The senior forward led the Valley in scoring during district play this season, netting 40 goals in 13 district games.

No goal, however, has been as big as his goal during Wednesday’s Class 4A state semifinal.

With 47 seconds remaining, Hidalgo’s Anthony Nava delivered a bomb from more than 40 yards out. The shot ricocheted off the goalkeeper’s hands and then the crossbar before Cantu sped in and tapped in the ball with his shoulder for the go-ahead goal as the Pirates defeated the San Elizario Eagles 1-0 at Birkelbach Field in Georgetown.

The victory sends the Pirates to the state championship game for the first time since they won the title in 2009. They’ll take on the Palestine Wildcats at 2:30 p.m. Friday at Birkelbach Field in Georgetown.

“It is like a moment you see in the movies,” Hidalgo head coach Esteban Alegria said. “This is all for the kids. The victory is all about them. It is a big win for us. Not just for us, though, but for the Valley. We still have one more game, though. We’re going for another star, and Sharyland is, too. I wish them the best of luck, too. For our guys, we have to stay humble and keep focused on one more.”

Shots were difficult to come by during the first half, with the two teams taking just two each during the opening period.

The second half proved a different story, with the two teams playing more aggressively in search of the go-ahead score.

Hidalgo’s defense held strong behind a dominant performance from defenders Anthony Nava and Gabriel Ordonez, eliminating almost any chance of a San Elizario goal before it developed.

When the Eagles did have a chance to shoot, Hidalgo goalkeeper Sergio Castaneda did what he’s done all season, coming up with three saves to secure the clean sheet.

“As a defense, we knew we had to keep waiting and waiting, and trust our midfielder and forwards,” Nava said. “It happened there at the end. We knew it was going to happen. We manifested this before the season started. We’ve been working on this since the summer.”

While the defense did its part, senior captains Cantu and Rosales continued to apply the offensive pressure, with the Pirates’ duo combining for nine of the team’s 10 shot attempts.

Cantu’s final attempt proved to be the difference, connecting on his sixth try for the game-winner to send the Pirates to the Class 4A state title game.

The 2023 UIL state tournament continues today, with Sharyland High set to take on El Paso Bel Air in the Class 5A state semifinals at 5 p.m. at Birkelbach Field.

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