BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER

PHARR — What was supposed to be a rebuilding year turned into more of the same for Eloy Garza. In just his fourth year as a throwing coach for PSJA Southwest, he’s taking athletes to compete at the state meet in Austin for the second time in as many years.

But while Garza returns to Mike A. Myers Stadium with familiar expectations, he does so under a new set of circumstances. Last year saw an experienced senior in Brittany Vielma, one of the Valley’s premier competitors, participate in the shot put and discus. This season finds a pair of fresh faces.

Diego Trevino and Christian Trejo are teammates, but their paths to Austin wind along different roads. Trevino, a freshman, was a diamond in the rough before coming on strong in the shot put near season’s end. Trejo, a junior wheelchair athlete, figured sports would never be an option due to a host of medical issues.

“I always watched sports growing up, and I always wanted to play, but I never thought I could be like them,” Trejo said.

Trejo was born with spina bifida, a condition that affects the spinal cord. While it severely limits mobility, Trejo is able to walk with a limp. He also has a shunt in his head to drain excess fluid from his brain and underwent a kidney transplant at the age of 13. Trejo also says he suffers from seizures, but hasn’t experienced one in five years.

Trejo is the second Valley wheelchair athlete to compete in the shot put and make an appearance at state — Mission Veterans Memorial’s Zoe Alanis being the first in both instances a season ago. The UIL’s wheelchair division began in 2014.

“Seeing Christian compete really puts a lot of things in perspective,” Garza said. “You realize that there are so many things that we take for granted, like walking. For most of us, we don’t even think about it. But for him, it can be a task to do.

“I’ll never forget, one time he said, ‘Thanks for making me an athlete, coach,’ and I immediately choked up.”

Trejo will compete Friday, entering with a seed distance of 15 feet, 1/2 inch. Garza will compete in a chair donated to Southwest by a Texas organization that promotes athletic endeavors for people with disabilities.

Since he will compete in a seated position, Trejo’s workouts focus on his core and upper body. He says he exercises at school and finds time for himself at home.

“I try to do about five pushups every day by myself,” Trejo said. “They may not sound like much, but for me, it’s a big deal because it can be hard to do.”

While Trejo has acclimated to a sport that was foreign to him at the beginning of the season, Trevino’s freshman year has been about learning the basics.

Though he competed in shot put and discus in middle school, he discounts those years as demonstrations of strength with zero emphasis on technique.

Garza is all about the minutia of throwing, and prides himself on coaching every facet of a throw to a pupil. Whether it’s turning in the ring, coming out of the back with strength and agility, or being nimble enough to avoid foot fouls, Garza brings along athletes in methodical and exact fashion.

“I won’t advance them or show them other elements until they’ve mastered a certain step,” Garza said. “Each part is a building block, and they have to show me that they know what they are doing. I’m not looking at an athlete like Diego as a freshman, but where he’s going to be as a senior.”

If Trevino keeps up at his current pace, he’ll be a formidable thrower by then. In his first year under Garza, he’s gone from throwing below 40 feet to achieving a personal record of 52-05 at the regional meet in San Antonio. Trevino is hitting the weights in preparation for Thursday’s event and is practicing certain stretches without a shot in order to focus on his approach.

Trevino shares the long view of his coach. He will compete against seniors who are throwing three feet beyond his personal best. While Trevino’s goal is to break his record, he’s already scouting competition for the future.

“Next year, I’ll be competing against guys from (Class) 6A,” Trevino said. “Of the juniors who are competing this year, I’d be ranked third or fourth in state. I’m right there. I just have to keep working at it.”

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BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER

EDINBURG — It’s easy to miss Valery Tobias. The Edinburg IDEA Quest sophomore competes for a Class 3A school at sparsely attended meets for a program with minuscule resources.

But Tobias is happy flying under the radar. Away from the track, she’s as quiet as she is fast. Indeed, Tobias is content to let her times do the talking. Yet her uber-casual demeanor is befitting of her background. IDEA Quest lacks proper practice facilities, so she and her teammates run at UTRGV throughout the season. When that’s not an option, they make do running laps around their school.

Despite those meager origins, Tobias knows what it takes to compete at the highest level. She consistently ranks among the Valley’s elite middle distance runners, winning silver in the girls 800-meter run last season at the state meet.

This year finds Tobias making a return visit to Austin for the same event, where she looks to earn a medal once more. Though she’s familiar the with the pressure that comes with running on a grandiose stage, her march back to state has been a slower campaign than usual.

Where Tobias consistently hit times around the 2 minutes, 20 second mark as a freshman, her times this year have been uneven. She ran a 2:31.10 at a Santa Rosa meet in March before hitting a 2:16.97 at the Meet of Champions in Weslaco. That performance was followed by a 2:24.00 at the district.

But where some see inconsistencies, others see it as part of the plan.

“In the end, it’s about winning state,” IDEA Quest coach Robbie Cruz said. “We don’t want her peaking at the wrong time. We don’t want her hitting 2:15 in the middle of February and March and then she starts dropping. To qualify for state, that is the main goal, just to get here at this time, getting ready for Austin. That’s the main objective, where she is right now.”

Tobias will race at 6 p.m. Friday, entering with a seed time of 2:21.24, third slowest in the nine-girl field. But she’s proven her ability to run near the front. The fastest seed time of 2:17.26 (Jenna Brazeal, Little River Arca) is two seconds slower than Tobias’ personal record (2:15.21).

The intended strategy is to run with the pack leaders and kick with roughly 200 to 150 meters remaining. Technique and game planning are eras in which Tobias has demonstrated maturity. Where she got by on athleticism and speed as a freshman, this year she’s learned to trust her instincts and hold back for the final push.

“My race is only two laps, so that means I have to get every single detail right, but that will only make me better, and I’m aiming for that,” Tobias said. “I want to do better than last year, that’s one of my goals. I just want to go out and run strong and be persistent.”

Not just persistent, but faster. Tobias is focusing on longer kicks to ready herself for the level of speed and endurance she’ll encounter. But those elements are already instilled in her. Tobias also runs cross country and plays soccer for the Trail Blazers, sports that endear themselves to the quickness and stamina associated with middle distance running.

Should she win another medal, it would further cement her standing in the Valley as well as the state and demonstrate the power of hard work over meager athletic budgets.

“Just the fact that she was able to advance was huge, especially for our school,” Cruz said. “I just want her to go out there and enjoy it. I tell her, ‘It’s for you, Val. They’re going to come up to me and say congratulations, but it’s all you.’ I tell her that all the time. ‘I’m not the one running, it’s all you.’”

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BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER

EDCOUCH — When Krysta Martinez strolls onto the track Friday, it will mark her final time competing in an Edcouch-Elsa uniform. But the ceremonies and celebrations will come later. Until then, there is work to do and one last medal to be won.

The senior distance runner has collected a treasure chest of hardware during her four-year run as a Valley standout, enough to construct a suit of armor. But one valuable piece is absent from her collection — a state medal. Despite all the district championships, school records and fast times, a podium finish at the UIL meet alludes Martinez.

That longstanding goal is within reach. Martinez will compete Friday in the Class 5A girls 1600-meter run at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin with the third-fastest seed time of 5 minutes, 00.98 second, a personal best achieved at the Region IV meet in San Antonio. Martinez is only 1.03 off of second and 5.03 off of first.

“I’m going to pace each lap at 75 seconds,” Martinez said. “I’m trying to break (5 minutes) and hit a 4:50 or faster if I can. The third lap has to be my fastest, the third lap is key. That’s where I’m going to try and pick it up.”

Martinez enters Austin on a high note, having ran her most impressive race of the season at San Antonio. During the four-lap event, Martinez held her own at the front of the pack during the early going only to demonstrate her deceptive speed in the closing 250 meters.

As Martinez entered the backstretch in second place, Valley peers in Ana Bautista (Rio Grande City) and Soledad Cruz (Mercedes) each made their move for Martinez’ spot and the automatic trip to state that comes with the prize. But Martinez never gave them a chance, rocketing her way to the finish line a full eight seconds faster than the third place Bautista.

“You could tell she wanted it,” E-E girls distance coach Juan Perez said. “She gave it everything she’s got, and she ran a beautiful race. We were watching it, and she was consistent that first lap. She didn’t go too fast. The second lap was a 1:15, she ran a smart race, like a veteran. Third lap, she worked it and on the last lap she just took off.”

Perez doubles as Martinez’ cross country coach and has worked with her throughout her tenure with the Yellowjackets. Perez has seen his star athlete qualify for the state cross country meet every year of her high school tenure. Her best finish occurred in 2013, placing 12th in the 5,000-meter race with a time of 19:04.70.

Though coach and athlete have both shared in the ups, they’ve experienced down days, too, none so bad as last year’s track regionals wherein Martinez competed with illness, fatigue and dizzy spells. Her race-day itinerary included the 800 and 1600 runs. She performed admirably, placing third in the 1600, but bad health cost her a trip to state.

“Having to run a race like the 800 and then having to go out and run again, it’s tough on the body,” Perez said. “Despite being sick, she didn’t make excuses, she just went out there and ran.”

And running is what Martinez has done since seventh grade, taking up cross country after seeing a family member succeed. The sport was a natural fit. Martinez won her first race and the rest was automatic, winning district titles in track and cross country every year since. Martinez will compete for UTRGV in the fall on scholarship.

But with one mile left before reaching the finish line for good with E-E, Martinez will race with an eye on the podium and a sense of closure with every step she puts forward. With her hair braided — a fashion choice she says is reserved exclusively for the big meets — and an entourage of family in the stands, she hopes to go out like all runners do, out front and alone.

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BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER

Despite competing in their first season as a program, athletes from Mission Juan Diego Academy graced the podium on five occasions during the TAPPS State Meet on Saturday at Baylor University in Waco.

Members of the Lions track and field team collected a total of one gold, one silver and three bronze medals. The lone first place finish came from the girls 1600-meter relay team, who won the Class 1A title with a time of 4 minutes, 33.70 seconds, beating second place by 10 seconds.

Juan Diego track coach Raymond Kellman says second leg Shelsea Ramirez was the catalyst for the unit’s substantive win.

“Extraordinary effort, she really ran away with it,” Kellman said. “She ran exceptionally well both (in Waco) and in the regional meet. She’s gotten her teammates out to a lead and the last two legs have been able to extend the leads they’ve been given.

Kellman says Ramirez is a recent addition to the relay team, filling an absence in solid fashion. Ramirez’s signature individual events are the 100 and 200 dash.

Three other relays earned medals, including the girls 400 relay (third in 54.26), boys 400 relay (third in 47.38) and the boys 1600 relay (second in 3:46.64). The 1600 relay team benefited from the performance of Mauricio Marcos, who volunteered for the event when the team needed a body.

“Once he came in, things came together pretty quickly,” Kellman said. “I know Mauricio from soccer as well, and he does whatever you ask him to do. Knowing him and the kind of athlete he is, when he said he would (run the relay), I knew he’d give whatever he has. He usually does the 300 hurdles, so he’s not a speed burner, but he holds the lead when you give it to him.”

Juan Diego’s lone individual medal came from Erickson Hunter, placing third in the girls 200 dash with a time of 28.00.

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BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER

MISSION — As San Antonio faded in the rear-view mirror and the regional track meet became a glorified memory, a trio of Valley athletes made a pact: Win a medal at state. Do so yourself and for each other.

Fabian Garcia, Jesus Mata and Luis Trujillo will have four opportunities to make good on their intentions when they compete at the UIL track and field meet May 12-14 in Austin. The Mission Veterans athletes will compete in four events with an eye on a podium finish.

The three Patriots sent to state will be the largest contingent of any Valley school that did not qualify a relay team. The only other area program to achieve such a feat is La Feria.

The busiest of the three will be Garcia, a senior distance runner who will race in the Class 5A boys 1600- and 3200-meter runs.

Garcia was the Region IV champion in the 3200 with a personal best time of 9 minutes, 30.36 seconds, and says his primary focus is on the longer race.

“Throughout the season, I’ve had more success in that one,” Garcia said. “I like it more because I’m able to think more, position myself more and strategize more.”

Garcia’s seed time is the second fastest of the nine-man field. The quickest time belongs to College Station’s Jon Bishop with a 9:23.53. Garcia is looking to run at a quicker pace in hopes of breaking the 9:20 barrier. Garcia holds the seventh fastest time in the 1600 (4:24.13).

Mata experienced victory at the regional meet, too, winning gold in the boys 800 run in 1:55.46. The win marked a moment of redemption for the junior after a disastrous turn at regionals a season ago. As the first lap became the second, and the pack entered a turn, Mata was spiked from behind by an opponent.

“It caused me to stumble, so by the time I caught up with them, they were already pretty far ahead of me,” Mata said. “I was trying to catch up, and I wasted all of my energy.”

Despite the mishap, Mata managed to finish in fifth.

Mata’s go at state looks to be a tight race. Though he holds the third quickest seed time, the five fastest qualifying times are separated by only just 2.94 seconds. Though he’ll be competing at the state’s highest level, his approach will remain unchanged — hang out near the front with the leaders, keep a steady pace, then bolt in the race’s closing meters.

“By the final 150 (meters), I take off,” Mata said. “I let hell loose.”

While Mata will stick to his guns, Trujillo will compete in the pole vault with a new approach he’s spent all season perfecting. Where the junior once carried the vault in a traditional approach, he now drags the pole on the ground, pushing it in front of him like a cowcatcher on the front of a train.

Though he’s comfortable with his new technique, Trujillo is working with bigger poles to achieve higher vaults in Austin. Though he cleared 13 feet, 6 inches at regionals, every other competitor enters having cleared heights greater than 14-00, Trujillo’s personal best.

“He’s jumping with a lot of confidence,” Mission Veterans boys coach David Longoria said. “He’s going to try and hit a (personal record) at state. That goes back to our motto, ‘Beat me. Beat you.’ Everything else takes care of itself. That’s how we got here.”

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Valley’s Best and Mythical Standings (5.4.16)

Team Standings

Boys — 1, McAllen Memorial, 69.43; 2, Harlingen High, 57.1; 3, McAllen High, 45; 4, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 44; 5, Harlingen South, 40; 6, Edinburg Economedes, 33.43; 7, La Joya Palmview, 28; 8, PSJA Memorial, 28; 9, La Feria, 24; 10, PSJA Southwest, 24.

Girls — 1, Weslaco High, 81; 1, La Joya Palmview, 81; 3, McAllen Memorial, 80.17; 4, McAllen Rowe, 44; 5, Harlingen South, 44; 6, Brownsville St. Joseph Academy, 36; 7, Los Fresnos, 32.1; 8, Mission Veterans Memorial, 26.2; 9, Edcouch-Elsa, 21; 10, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 18.

Individual Standings

Boys

* Fully Automatic Time

100-meter dash — 1, Joshua McGowen, McAllen High, 10.66*; 2, Michael Boltie, McAllen Memorial, 10.74*; 3, Christian Perales, Los Fresnos, 10.82*; 4, Christopher Rosales, Harlingen High, 10.83*; 5, Trevor Speights, McAllen Memorial, 10.93*; 6, Charlie Vela, Edinburg Economedes, 10.94*.

200-meter dash — 1, Michael Boltie, McAllen Memorial, 21.46*; 2, Christian Perales, Los Fresnos, 21.64*; 3, Christopher Rosales, Harligen High, 21.71*; 4, Aaron Romero, Harlingen South, 22.21*; 5, Joshua McGowen, McAllen High, 22.22*; 6, Sammy Orive, Brownsville Rivera, 22.23*.

400-meter dash — 1, Christopher Rosales, Harlingen High, 48.34*; 2, Anthony Gonzales, Brownsville Porter, 49.18*; 3, Mario Garcia, Brownsville St. Joseph, 49.47*; 4, Sergio Murillo, Weslaco High, 49.74*; 5, Carlos Rodriguez, La Feria, 50.02; 6, Rodrigo Cedillo, Lyford, 50.15.

800-meter run — 1, Ricardo Mendoza, La Joya High, 1:54.98*; 2, Carlos Rodriguez, La Feria, 1:55.10*; 3, Jesus Mata, Mission Veterans Memorial, 1:55.46; 4, Victor Bocanegra, La Joya Palmview, 1:55.77*; 5, Jorge Perez, Mission High, 1:56.94*; 6, Manny Guerrero, Brownsville River, 1:57.00*.

1600-meter run — 1, Jayven Cordova, Weslaco East, 4:19.02*; 2, Anthony Garza, Brownsville Rivera, 4:21.47*; 3, Cruz Gomez, PSJA Memorial, 4:23.14; 4, Joshua Doria, Edinubrg North, 4:23.51*; 5, Aldo Nava, Edinburg North, 4:24.11*; 6, Fabian Garcia, Mission Veterans Memorial, 4:24.13*.

3200-meter run — 1, Cruz Gomez, PSJA Memorial, 9:19.56*; 2, Jayven Cordova, Weslaco East, 9:23.75*; 3, Fabian Garcia, Mission Veterans Memorial, 9:30.36*; 4, Dominic Cavazos, Mercees, 9:33.94*; 5, Anthony Garza, Brownsville Rivera, 9:36.03*; 6, Eliseo Rodriguez, La Joya Palmview, 9:36.81.

110-meter hurdles — 1, Joshua McGowen, McAllen High, 13.59; 2, Tristan Myende, La Joya Palmview, 14.83*; 3, Alexander Lara, Weslaco High, 14.87*; 4, Bony Rios, Edinburg Economedes, 14.92*; 5, Omar Silva, Port Isaebl, 15.24*; 6, Manuel Lerma, McAllen High, 15.74*.

300-meter hurdles — 1, Joshua McGowen, McAllen High, 36.67*; 2, Carlos Serna, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 38.46*; 3, Marc Garcia, Mission High, 38.84*; 4, Joseph Lunn, La Feria, 39.08*; 5, Gunner Henderson, McAllen high, 39.61*; 6, Jorge Cantu, San Benito, 39.69*.

400-meter relay — 1, McAllen Memorial, 42.21*; 2, PSJA Southwest, 43.01*; 3, Edinburg Economedes, 43.08*; 4, Harlingen South, 43.11*; 5, La Joya Palmview, 43.16*; 6, Harlingen High, 43.23*.

800-meter relay — 1, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 1:29.33*; 2, Harlingen South, 1:29.53*; 3, Edinburg Economedes, 1:29.55*; 4, PSJA Southwest, 1:29.69*; 5, Los Fresnos, 1:29.73*; 6, Weslaco High, 1:19.84*.

1600-meter relay — 1, Sharyland Pioneer, 3:19.74*; 2, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 3:20.00; 3, Harlingen High, 3:21.76*; 4, La Feria, 3:22.80*; 5, La Joya Palmview, 3:23.44*; 6, PSJA Memorial, 3:24.43.

Field Events

Shot put — 1, Mike Zuniga, Rio Hondo, 57-09; 2, Travis Barnes, Harlingen High, 55-11; 3, John Belmares, San Benitio, 55-05; 4, Gaston Cortina, Edinburg North, 55-00.25; 5, Ricardo Espinoza, La Joya Palmview, 54-03; 6, Johnny Howell, Sharyland Pioneer, 53-04.5

Discus — 1, Mike Gonzalez, PSJA Memorial, 178-00; 2, Mike Zuniga, Rio Hondo, 165-11; 3, Jordan DeLeon, Mission Veterans Memorial, 162-00; 4, Jonathan Banda, Weslaco East, 160-00; 5, Cesar Villegas, Donna High, 155-07; 6, Sydney Mock, Port Isabel, 154-09.

Long jump — 1, Joshua McGowen, McAllen High, 23-07.5; 2, Michael Boltie, McAllen Memorial, 22-06; 2, D.J. Johnson, McAllen Memorial, 22-06; 4, Ciro Hernandez, PSJA North, 22-04.5; 5, Alexander Lara, Weslaco High, 22-1.5; 6, Leo Lara, Santa Rosa, 22-00.75.

Triple jump — 1, Joshua McGowen, McAllen High, 48-04.5; 2, Dominic Castillo, Donna North, 45-11; 3, Damian Quintanilla, La Joya Palmview, 45-03.5; 4, Raudel Alvarez, PSJA North, 45-01.5; 5, Isiah Martinez, La Feria, 45-00.5; 6, D.J. Jonshon, McAllen Memorial, 44-11.

High jump — 1, Robert Rosales, Valley View, 6-04; 1, Max Oyervides, Sharyland High, 6-04; 1, D.J. Johsnon, McAllen Memorial, 6-04; 1, Leo Lara, Santa Rosa, 6-04; 1, Justice Free, Weslaco High, 6-04; 1, Pete Segura, Edinburg Economedes, 6-04; 1, Devin Rosas, Harlingen High, 6-04.

Pole vault — 1, Michael Boltie, McAllen Memorial, 15-07; 2, Marcus Ramirez, Harlingen South, 14-06; 3, Samuel Alvarez, Harlingen South, 14-00; 3, Jon Zapata, Weslaco High, 14-00; 3, Luis Trujillo, Mission Veterans Memorial, 14-00; 6, Saul Saavedra, Harlingen High, 13-06; 6, Trent Teinert, Harlingen High, 13-06; 6, Mike Garza, PSJA North, 13-06.

Girls

Track Events

* Fully Automatic Time

100-meter dash — 1, Nicole Gonzalez, Harlingen South, 12.32*; 2, Gaby Garza, Brownsville St. Joseph, 12.47*; 3, I’Dasha Sorrell, Donna North, 12.64*; 4, Jacklynn Flores, Mercedes, 12.67*; 5, Mirna Tamez, La Joya Palmview, 12.74*; 5, Alondra Escobar, Los Fresnos, 12.74*; 5, Sydney Salinas, Weslaco High, 12.74*.

200-meter dash — 1, Nicole Gonzalez, Harlingen South, 25.32*; 2, Alondra Escobar, Los Fresnos, 25.88*; 3, Mia Hinojosa, La Joya Palmview, 25.89*; 4, Mallory Grannum, Harlingen South, 26.09*; 5, Natalie Young, McAllen Memorial, 26.20*; 6, Rebeca Martinez, Sharyland Pioneer, 26.22*.

400-meter dash — 1, Lorraine Estrada, McAllen Rowe, 56.99*; 2, Natalie Garza, Port Isabel, 57.52*; 3, Nicole Gonzalez, Harlingen South, 58.04*; 4, Miriah Gonzalez, Mission Veterans Memorial, 58.34*; 5, Eleanor Arndt, Weslaco High, 58.67*; 6, Juliana Guerrero, Harlingen High, 59.98*.

800-meter run — 1, Stephanie Sauceda, Weslaco High, 2:13.44*; 2, Valery Tobias, Edinburg IDEA Quest, 2:16.97*; 3, Dylann Guerra, Edinburg Vela, 2:20.81; 4, Bailey Villalon, La Joya Palmview, 2:21.77*; 5, Adriana Cruz, Rio Grande City, 2:22.06; 6, Kelly Aguinaga, Edcouch-Elsa, 2:22.65*.

1600-meter run — 1, Krysta Martinez, Edcouch-Elsa, 5:00.98*; 2, Brianna Robles, La Joya Palmview, 5:06.03*; 3, Beth Ramos, Edinburg North, 5:07.88*; 4, Ana Bautista, Rio Grande City, 5:08.53*; 5, Soledad Cruz, Mercedes, 5:09.19*; 6, Andrea De La Rosa, Brownsville Rivera, 5;16.38*.

3200-meter run — 1, Brianna Robles, La Joya Palmview, 10;49.57*; 2, Beth Ramos, Edinburg North, 10:50.75*; 3, Tina Sierra, La Feria, 11:07.10*; 4, Krysta Martinez, Edcouch-Elsa, 11:09.15*; 5, Soledad Cruz, Mercedes, 11:09.17*; 6, Ana Bautista, Rio Grande City, 11:11.55*.

100-meter hurdles — 1, Gaby Garza, Brownsville St. Joseph Academy, 14.45*; 2, Lanie Nitsch, McAllen Memorial, 15.36*; 3, Karla Ibarra, Valley View, 15.74*; 4, Alyssa Salazar, Los Fresnos, 15.94*; 5, Aniah Chaleff-Reyna, McAllen High, 16.16*; 5, Oliva Garcia, Edinburg Vela, 16.16*.

300-meter hurdles — 1, Gaby Garza, Brownsville St. Joseph Academy, 43.51*; 2, Lanie Nitsch, McAllen Memorial, 45.39*; 3, Alyssa Salaza, Los Fresnos, 46.03*; 4, Brittany Cano, La Joya Palmview, 46.44*; 5, Thanya Garza, McAllen Memorial, 46.53*; 6, Caleigh Hausenfluck, Sharyland High, 46.94*.

400-meter relay — 1, McAllen Memorial, 49.42*; 2, La Joya Palmview, 49.74*; 3, Weslaco High, 49.76*; 4, McAllen Rowe, 49.98*; 5, Brownsville Veterans Memorial, 50.15*; 6, Weslaco East, 50.22*.

800-meter relay — 1, La Joya Palmview, 1:43.78*; 2, Weslaco High, 1:44.34*; 3, Harlingen South, 1:46.95*; 4, Los Fresnos, 1:46.96*; 5, Brownsville Veterans Memorial, 1:47.26*; 6, McAllen Memorial, 1:47.44*.

1600-meter relay — 1, McAllen Memorial, 3:55.82*; 2, Weslaco High, 3:58.45*; 3, McAllen Rowe, 4:02.87*; 4, Mission Veterans Memorial, 4:04.45*; 5, Port Isabel, 4:04.81; 6, Harlingen High, 4:06.11*.

Field Events

Shot — 1, Samantha Alvarez, Harlingen High, 40-03; 2, Eloisa Martinez, McAllen Memorial, 39-09; 3, Alexis Vasquez, Mission Veterans Memorial, 38-10.5; 4, Jazmin Cortez, PSJA North, 38-09.5; 5, Valeria Granados, Los Frsnos, 37-10.5; 6, Serena Rivera, La Feria, 37-10.

Discus — 1, Ciera Gonzalez, Weslaco High, 134-06; 2, Karen Guerra, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 133-08; 3, Jazmin Cortez, PSJA North, 133-04; 4, Gertrudis Ruiz-Balli, Brownsville Pace, 130-10; 5, Tamara Castillo, PSJA Southwest, 128-02; 6, Yvette Tamez, Donna High, 128-01.

Long jump — 1, Mirna Tamez, La Joya Palmview, 18-00; 2, Jacklynn Flores, Mercedes, 17-08.5; 3, Eleanor Arndt, Weslaco High, 17-08; 4, Jovanni Solis, McAllen Roew, 17-06; 5, Caleigh Hausenfluck, Sharyland High, 17-05.75; 6, Natalie Young, McAllen Memorial, 17-02.5.

Triple jump — 1, Jovanni Solis, McAllen Rowe, 37-08; 2, Thanya Garza, McAllen Memorial, 36-08.25; 3, I’Dasha Sorrell, Donna North, 36-06.75; 4, Nyla Vela, Mission Veterans Memorial, 36-03.5; 5, Brenda Martinez, La Joya Palmview, 36-02.5; 6, Alyssa Salavzar, Los Fresnos, 35-09.

High jump — 1, Ana Calderon, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 5-04; 2, Eleanor Arndt, Weslaco High, 5-02; 2, Hannah Kelly, McAllen High, 5-02; 2, Jackie Alanis, PSJA High, 5-02; 2, Valery Tobias, Edinburg IDEA Quest, 5-02; 2, Charlize De La Garza, Mission Veterans Memorial, 5-02; 2, Jayla Santa Maria, Edinburg High, 5-02; 2, Mackenzie Gerlach, Mission Veterans Memorial, 5-02; 2, Narumi Urdiales, PSJA Southwest, 5-02; 2, Juliana Guerrero, Harlingen High, 5-02.

Pole vault — 1, Sydney Salinas, Weslaco High, 12-00.25; 2, Marifer Valencia, Brownsville St. Joseph, 11-00; 3, Bianca Cardenas, Edcouch-Elsa, 10-06; 4, Alexandria Martinez, Port Isbael, 10-00; 4, Sara Solis, McAllen High, 10-00; 6, Mikaela Flores, Harlingen South, 10-00; 6, Elizabeth St. Clair, McAllen Memorial, 10-00; 6, Carolina Carrillo, PSJA North, 10-00; 6, Sabrina Garza, Port Isabel, 10-00.

BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER

MISSION — Though Jordan De Leon’s senior year didn’t go as planned, the end result is just as gratifying.

Despite dealing with an injured throwing hand for much of the season, the Mission Veterans Memorial athlete refashioned his skill set while continually competing among the Valley’s best. For his efforts, De Leon is rewarded with a scholarship to the University of New Orleans, signing his letter of intent Wednesday at Mission Veterans Memorial High School.

De Leon finishes his tenure with the Patriots as a two-time regional qualifier in the discus, and was the District 31-5A champion in the same event a year ago. His personal best in the discus is 162 feet, achieved this season at the Falcon Relays in Los Fresnos.

Though De Leon showed well in the discus, he was meant to be a shot putter. Plans changed when he suffered a sprain to his right hand during the final game of football season wherein he played offensive lineman.

“You’re always taught the fundamentals and the proper way to attack,” De Leon said. “But you’re also told ‘Do whatever it takes to win the battle.’ I didn’t punch the guy, but I used the back of my hand and it caught the bottom of his face mask. I won the battle, but it cost me my hand.”

De Leon says the pain was so severe, he stopped throwing shot for an extended period of time, focusing instead on discuss. While shot requires more power, the finesse of discus meant he could compete unaffected by the injury.

De Leon’s personal best of 47-01 in the shot came as a junior. His best throw this year was 45-11 1/2 at the District 31-5A meet at Valley View High School.

“He was able to throw it out there a few times towards the end, but he’s never really had full range of it,” Mission Vets throwing coach Simon Mendoza said. “He’ll overcome it, but he just couldn’t get anywhere close to healthy this year. I always thought he was going to be a great shot putter, but he turned out to be a really good discus thrower.”

The senior looks to study mechanical engineering, and says program at New Orleans was a good fit. De Leon says Trinity University and the University of Illinois were other schools who sought his services, but ultimately decided to venture to the Big Easy, citing the campus and other students as other factors in his decision.

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BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER

MORE: Complete results from the Region IV field events finals

Complete results from the Region IV track finals

Porter’s Anthony Gonzalez finds redemption in track

Valley distance runners show well at regional meet

PSJA Memorial’s Mike Gonzalez wins regional title in discus throw

SAN ANTONIO — Joshua McGowen traveled to Alamo Stadium with the longest to-do list of any Valley athlete, but shouldered the burden of his ambition with relative ease.

While the McAllen High senior has spent his lone season with the Bulldogs crushing area competition and sleepwalking his way to the Region IV Track and Field Meet, he essentially proceeded business as usual during the two-day meet.

After competing in the last of his five individual events, McGowen walked away with three gold medals, a silver and a bronze, qualifying for the UIL state meet in four events: the 110- and 300-meter hurdles, and the long and triple jump.

All athletes to place in the top two in their respective events automatically qualify for state, held May 12-14 at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin.

McGowen’s first gold on Saturday came in the Class 6A 110 hurdles, pulling away from the pack after the third hurdle to finish with a time of 13.88 seconds.

“The guy in the lane next to me was from (Cibolo) Steele. He’s just a sophomore,” McGowen said. “I saw him out of the corner of my eyes and I thought, ‘This dude is challenging me. I gotta get away from him.’ I kicked in and pushed harder.”

McGowen followed that performance with a gold-medal run in the 300 hurdles, setting a meet record in 36.67. That time is the second fastest in Valley history. The current record is held by Harlingen High’s Randy Bermea, who ran a 36.46 in 2011.

While McGowen eased to the top of the podium in the hurdles, he placed third in a photo finish during a 100 dash wherein the top three finishers were separated by .02 seconds. McGowen’s time of 10.93 could still qualify for state as a wildcard entry awarded to the state’s fastest third-place time from all regional meets. McGowen says he may not run should he qualify in order to concentrate on other events.

The senior standout won the triple jump and placed second in the long jump during Friday’s field event finals.

SNAKES TO STATE

Despite a premature celebration leading to a second place finish, the boys 1600 relay team from Sharyland Pioneer became the only Valley relay team from Class 6A and 5A to qualify for state.

The Diamondbacks finished with a time of 3:19.74, the Valley’s best on the season.
Though the four-man unit held its own against the fastest in the region, they did so with little time running together. Bobby Acosta and Justin Romero, the respective second and third legs, were added into the mix only weeks ago.

Romeo, a senior, proved his prowess as a quarter-miler earlier this year during a pre-district meet in Mercedes. While some members of the team ventured to Laredo to participate in the Border Olympics, Romero and others stayed behind.

“I ran the 400 for the first time,” Romero said. “I ran a (52.17), and it showed to me that I could do that race. I used to just do the 800, but after I started posting good times in the 400, I got put on the mile relay.”

VALLEY ATHLETES TO STATE

Four Upper-Valley athletes also qualified for state Saturday. Michael Boltie won the 6A boys 200 dash after placing second in the boys pole vault Friday. Other athletes headed to state include Weslaco High’s Stephanie Sauceda (6A girls 800 run), Mission Veterans Memorial’s Jesus Mata (5A boys 800 run) and Edcouch-Elsa’s Krysta Martinez (5A girls 1600 run).

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BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER

MORE: Complete results from the Region IV field events finals

Complete results from the Region IV track finals

Valley distance runners show well at regional meet

PSJA Memorial’s Mike Gonzalez wins regional title in discus throw

SAN ANTONIO — As Anthony Gonzalez sped toward the finish line, his focus wasn’t on his time or the competitors in the next lane, it was fixed on a piece of garbage strewn across his face.

The Brownsville Porter senior was running near the front of the pack during the closing stretches of the Class 5A boys 400-meter dash at Alamo Stadium when his hip number got caught on his hand before somehow gettng stuck on his face. With 50 meters to go, Gonzalez flailed his head in an attempt to clear his vision.

By the time he crossed the finish line during Saturday’s Region IV Track and Field Meet, he was trash free and a second place finisher with a new personal best of 49.18 seconds. Gonzalez, and other athletes to finish in the top two in their respective events automatically qualify for the UIL state meet May 12-14 in Austin.

In punching his ticket to state, Gonzalez is the only metro-area athlete to qualify from Class 6A and 5A. Though his accomplishment represents the area well, it also signifies a moment wherein Gonzalez’s checkered past turned into a bright future.

Two years ago, Gonzalez wasn’t a member of the track team, but of juvenile detention. An only child to an absent father and single mom, he lacked the proper guidance and environment to keep on the straight and narrow.

“I didn’t care about school,” Gonzalez said. “I was on probation, I was getting locked up. I was doing stupid stuff.”

That stupid stuff caught up with Gonzalez at a young age. As a sophomore, he spent seven months at Texas Challenge Academy in Sheffield, a boot camp run by the Texas National Guard for at-risk youth.

Gonzalez chose to attend the academy, after all, it’s a better option than sitting behind bars. But it was during then that the multi-sport athlete made the decision to improve his own life for the benefit of himself and others.

“I told myself, ‘I can’t be doing this anymore, I want to be successful,’” Gonzalez said. “I want to make money for my mom, for my family. I’ve got a lot of talent that I’m wasting.”

Gonzalez joined track as a member of the junior varsity team, but quickly demonstrated his abilities with fast times and impressive finishes. By season’s end, he was promoted to varsity and advanced to regionals in the 100 and 200 dash and the long jump.

He also improved in the classroom, and says he hasn’t failed since joining the team. Gonzalez will attend Graceland University in Iowa on scholarship.

Gonzalez added the 400 to his repertoire this season and has made it his signature event despite his initial misgivings about sprinting for a quarter of a mile.

“First of all, when you take off, the most important thing is taking off from your blocks,” Gonzalez said. “That’s one of the first things I learned. The faster you go in the curve, you keep the speed going. You’ve gotta hit that other curve hard enough.”

Not only did he hit the curves hard on Saturday, he showed that no one is beyond saving, and that any obstacle is just something else to run through.

“He’s literally gotten his life back on track,” Porter boys coach Jamie Pena said. “He didn’t do any kind of training for two years and comes from next to nothing, and to come and do this, it’s even more amazing.”

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Region IV Track and Field Meet Results

April 30

Alamo Stadium, San Antonio

All times are fully automatic

Top two finishers automatically qualify for the UIL state meet

Class 6A

Team Standings

Boys — 1, Converse Judson, 64; 2, S.A. Reagan, 51; 3, McAllen High, 44; 4, Comal Canyon, 41; 5, Schertz Celmens, 50; 6, Northside Brandeis, 35; 7, S.A. Wagner, 30; 8, S.A. East Central, 29; 9, Northside Clark, 25; 10, PSJA Memorial, 23.

Girls — 1, Converse Judson, 96; 2, Smithson Valley, 87; 3, S.A. Madison, 45; 4 Northside Brennan, 42; 5, Del Rio, 29; 6, Northside Brandeis, 26; 6, New Braunfels, 26; 8, San Antonio Johnson, 23; 9, Northside Clark, 22; 10, McAllen Memorial, 21.

Individual Standings

Boys

Track Events

100-meter dash — 1, Jon Maas, Northside Clark, 10.91; 2, Christian Rosales, Los Fresnos, 10.92; 3, Joshua McGowen, McAllen High, 10.93; 4, Willie Johnson, Converse Judson, 10.97; 5, Kyree Brown, East Central, 11.01; 6, Tevin Burney-Mitchell, S.A. Madison, 11.04.

100-meter dash wheelchair — 1, Joe Solis, Weslaco High, 17.79; 2, Bryan Prado, C.C. Veterans Memorial, 23.12; 3, Leeroy Garcia, Weslaco High, 26.08; 4, Wyatt Struxness, S.A. Reagan, 34.33; 5, Sam DeRousse, Northside Clark, 37.96.

200-meter dash — 1, Michael Boltie, McAllen Memorial, 21.46; 2, Derrion Hill, Northside Brennan, 21.58; 3, Kyree Brown, East Central, 21.67; 4, Angelo Gordon, Converse Judson, 21.69; 5, Christain Perales, Los Fresnos, 21.78; 6, Jamaro Mann, East Central, 21.95.

400-meter dash — 1, Jon Maas, Northside Clark, 47.26; 2, Christopher Rosales, Harlingen High, 48.34; 3, Austin Crocker, S.A. Reagan, 49.05; 4, Walter Vlahakis, Cibolo Steele, 50.28; 5, Jesus Posada, Laredo United South, 50.60; 6, Michael Melchor, Northside Holmes, 51.65.

400-meter dash wheelchair — 1, Joe Solis, Weslaco High, 1:06.07; 2, Bryan Prado, C.C. Veterans Memorial, 1:32.20; 3, Leeroy Garcia, Weslaco High, 1:35.19; 4, Wyatt Struxness, S.A. Reagan, 2:35.62; 5, Sam DeRousse, Northside Clark, 2:35.67.

800-meter run — 1, Tristen McNeal, Smithson Valley, 1:52.98; 2, Parker Riley Scott, C.C. King, 1:53.56; 3, Ricardo Mendoza, La Joya High, 1:55.08; 4, Matthew Hernandez, Northside Jay, 1:55.68; 5, Isaac Pearce, Cibolo Steele, 1:56.26; 6, Jose Lima, Cibolo Steele, 1:56.26.

1600-meter run — 1, Samuel Worley, Comal Canyon, 4:09.00; 2, Parker Riley Scott, C.C. King, 4:16.15; 3, Peter Sepulveda, Laredo United, 4:18.37; 4, Cruz Gomez, PSJA Memorial, 4:23.14; 5, Raymond Gonzalez, Converse Judson, 4:24.13; 6, Ethan Hegeman, Northside Holmes, 4:24.41.

110-meter hurdles — 1, Joshua McGowen, McAllen High, 13.88; 2, Jalen Woods, Cibolo Steele, 14.18; 3, Kristian Drake, Comal Canyon, 14.44; 4, Alexander Lara, Weslaco High, 14.87; 5, Bony Rios, Edinburg Economedes, 14.92; 6, David Gallegos, New Braunfels, 14.97.

300-meter hurdles — 1, Joshua McGowen, McAllen High, 36.67; 2, David Gallegos, New Braunfels, 37.60; 3, Andrew Pirog, S.A. Regan, 37.66; 4, Kristian Drake, Comal Canyon, 38.28; 5, Sean Mellish, Northside Brandeis, 38.72; 6, Marc Garcia, Mission High, 38.84.

400-meter relay — 1, Judson Converse, 42.10; 2, Schertz Clemens, 42.24; 3, S.A. Reagan, 42.27; 4, S.A. Wagner, 42.33; 5, C.C. Carroll, 43.07; 6, Laredo United South, 43.11.

800-meter relay — 1, Schertz Clemens, 1:27.16; 2, S.A. Wagner, 1:27.69; 3, S.A. East Central, 1:28.75; 4, Northside Brandeis, 1:28.99; 5, S.A. Johnson, 1:29.31; 6, Northside Taft, 1:29.86.

1600-meter relay — 1, S.A. Regan, 3;16.03; 2, Converse Judson, 3:17.14; 3, Northside Brandeis, 3:18.54; 4, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 3:20.00; 5, Northside Clark, 3:20.85; 6, Northside Brennan, 3:21.04.

Girls

Track Events

100-meter dash — 1, Breanna Ransom, S.A. Madison, 11.90; 2, Jade Neal, Northside Jay, 12.13; 3, Cynthia Emeremnu, Laredo Alexander, 12.14; 4, Olson Taylor, S.A. Reagan, 12.18; 5, Kyasia Utley-Baptiste, Northside Clark, 12.41; 6, JaRaya Ranya, Cibolo Steele, 12.47.

200-meter dash — 1, Erekha Sebastion, Northside Brennan, 24.40; 2, Jade Neal, Northside Jay, 24.62; 3, Tiara Williams, S.A. Wagner, 24.81; 4, Chloe Riddley, S.A. Johnson, 24.92; 5, Sabrina Rejkeo, C.C. King, 25.55; 6, Mellory Grannum, Harlingen South, 26.16.

400-meter dash — 1, Mariah Kuykendoll, Converse Judson, 54.63; 2, Chelsey Edwards, Schertz Celmens, 55.96; 3, Maya Puller, Northside Brandeis, 56.99; 4, Lorraine Estrada, McAllen Rowe, 57.00; 5, Jean Pack, S.A. Johnson, 57.57; 6, Bereniece Armendariz, Laredo United South, 59.36.

800-meter run — 1, Stephanie Sauceda, Weslaco High, 2:13.44; 2, Reagan Bachman, Smithson Valley, 2;15.12; 3, Sarah Wuest, New Braunfels, 2:16.99; 4, Shelby Rios, East Central, 2;21.01; 5, Ruby Briones, Eagle Pass, 2:22.01; 6, Mackenzie Jensen, Smithson Valley, 2:23.27.

1600-meter run — 1, Paige Hofstad, New Braunfels, 4:55.70; 2, Kylie Welch, Smithson Valley, 5:05.81; 3, Beth Ramos, Edinburg North, 5:07.88; 4, Brianna Robles, La Joya Palmview, 5:09.23; 5, Kerri Welch, Smithson Valley, 5:11.78; 6, Andrea De la Rosa, Brownsville Rivera, 5:16.38.

100-meter hurdles — 1, Olivia Pappas, Smithson Valley, 14.52; 2, Megan Mann, Smithson Valley, 14.70; 3, Jordan Dennis, 14.85; 4, Myesha Clck, East Central, 15.23; 5, Kathia Nitsch, McAllen Memorial, 15.36; 6, Angelli Cardona-Fuentes, S.A. Madison, 15.48.

300-meter hurdles — 1, Olivia Pappas, Smithson Valley, 43.30; 2, Jordan Dennis, Rel Rio, 43.90; 3, Emily Davila, S.A. Madison, 44.73; 4, Brittany Haney, Churchill, 44.79; 5, Megan Mann, Smithson Valley, 44.59; 6, Kathia NItsch, McAlllen Memorial, 46.04.

400-meter relay — 1, Converse Judson, 47.04; 2, S.A. Madison, 47.14; 3, Northside Brennan, 48.02; 4, Northside Clark, 48.14; 5, Schertz Clemens, 48.24; 6, S.A. East Central, 48.74.

800-meter relay — 1, Northside Brennan, 1:39.96; 2, Judson Converse, 1:40.08; 3, S.A. Madison, 1:40.34; 4, Northside Clark, 1:41.83; 5, S.A. East Central, 1:42.45; 6, Cibolo Steele, 1:42.97.

1600-meter relay — 1, Smithson Valley, 3;51.67; 2, Converse Judson, 3:51.77; 3, McAllen Memorial, 3:55.82; 4, S.A. Johnson, 3:55.84; 5, Northside Warren, 3:57.65; 6, Weslaco High, 3:58.45.

Class 5A

Team Standings

Boys — 1, S.A. Houston, 72; 2, Cedar Park, 48; 3, Bastrop, 42; 3, C.C. Flour Bluff, 42; 5, Mission Veterans Memorial, 36; 6, Victoria West, 35; 7, S.A. Alamo Heights, 34; 8, Sharyland Pioneer, 33; 8, Dripping Springs, 33, 10, C.C. Calallen, 20.

Girls — 1, Victoria West, 79; 2, Boerne Champion, 58; 3, Austin Vandergrift, 52; 4, Austin LBJ, 48; 5, Cedar Park, 36; 6, Gregory-Portland, 34; 7, Marble Falls, 24; 8, S.A. Alamo Heights, 23; 9, C.C. Flour Bluff, 20; 10, Georgetown, 19.

Individual Results

Boys

Track Events

100-meter dash — 1, Javelin Guidry, Cedar Park, 10.66; 2, Joseph Freeman, Seguin, 10.89; 3, Quinton Sansing, Floresville, 10.96; 4, McCrae Rutlodge, Uvalde, 11.14; 5, Devin Walker, C.P. Vista Ridge, 11.15; 6, Daniel Perez, Rio Grande City, 11.20.

200-meter dash — 1, Joseph Freeman, Seguin, 21.69; 2, Jonathan Challenger, S.A. Houston, 21.4; 3, Quinton Sansing, Floresville, 21.77; 4, Regan Carter, Bastrop, 21.94; 5, Jaron Stewart, Austin Lanier, 22.52; 6, Michael Murray, Austin Travis, 22.57.

400-meter dash — 1, Rolando Ruiz, Victoria West, 49.00; 2, Anthony Gonzalez, Brownsville Porter, 49.18; 3, Ricardo Contreras, Bastrop, 49.41; 4, Matthew Carr, C.C. Flour Bluff, 50.80; 5, Bryce Kalsu, Dripping Springs, 50.93; 6, Gavis Davis, Leander, 50.94.

800-meter run — 1, Jesus Mata, Mission Veterans Memorial, 1:55.46; 2, Trevor Heinz, Dripping Springs, 1:55.84; 3, Zack Kovar, Dripping Springs, 1:56.91; 4, Marcus Guajardo, Edinburg Vela, 1:57.39; 5, Cade Andrews, Cedar Park, 1:59.08; 6, Saul Castillo, Kerrville Tivy, 1:59.19.

1600-meter run — 1, Aciel Castillo, C.C. Tuloso Midway, 4:18.21; 2, Fabian Garcia, Mission Veterans Memorial, 4:24.13; 4, Jose Aleman, Sharyland Pioneer, 4:26.25; 5, Israel Orhuela, S.A. Southside, 4:30.29; 6, Dominic Cavazos, Mercedes, 4:33.48.

110-meter hurdles — 1, Clayton Thompson, C.C. Flour Bluff, 14.23; 2, Willie Debrow, S.A. Houston, 15.60; 3, Nathan Schmitzer, Dripping Springs, 14.63; 4, Tyler Harris, C.P. Vista Ridge, 14.79; 5, Andrew Hitzfelder, C. Medina Valley, 15.35; 6, Sakoza Diudonne, Austin Travis 15.37.

300-meter hurdles — 1, Clayton Thompson, C.C. Flour Bluff, 38.22; 2, Chris Hernandez, Highlands, 39.49; 3, Tyler Harris, C.P. Vista Ridge, 38.56; 4, Robert Wilson Chestney, Austin Vandergrift, 39.46; 5, Cordney Black, Bastrop Cedar Creek, 40.14; 6, Jose Garza, Sharyland High, 40.49.

400-meter relay — 1, S.A. Houston, 41.64; 2, Cedar Park, 41.78; 3, Austin LBJ, 42.39; 4, Bastrop, 42.50; 5, S.A. Alamo Heights, 42.95; 6, PSJA Southwest, 43.01.

800-meter relay — 1, Cedar Park, 1:27.17; 2, Victoria West, 1:27.81; 3, S.A. Houston, 1:28.09; 4, Austin LBJ, 1:28.33; 5, S.A. Alamo Heights, 1:28.81; 6, PSJA Southwest, 1:29.69.

1600-meter relay — 1, Bastrop, 3:19.69; 2, Sharyland Pioneer, 3:19.74; 3, c.C. Calallen, 3:20.59; 4, Victoria West, 3:21.09; 5, Boerne Champion, 3:21.72; 6, S.A. Brackenridge, 3:24.19.

Girls

Track Events

100-meter dash — 1, Rachel Horowitz, Austin LBJ, 12.19; 2, Zskaira Williams, Victroia West, 12.28; 3, Hannah Porter, Austin LBJ, 12.52; 4, Shanice Manning, Lockhart, 12.52; 5, Meosha Erving, Floresville, 12.69; 6, Dominique Johnson, Gregory-Portland, 12.76.

200-meter dash — 1, Adeline Carter, Austin Vandergrift, 25.02; 2, Zskaira Williams, Victoria West, 25.36; 3, Kori Ditimus, S.A. Houston, 25.48; 4, Rhaneque Higgins, Bastrop, 25.61; 5, Kristen Hallmak, Boerne Champion, 25.83; 6, Caleigh Tucker, C.C. Flour Bluff, 25.94.

400-meter dash — 1, Adeline Carter, Austin Vandergrift, 56.53; 2, AnnaBeth Burniston, Kerrville Tivy, 56.98; 3, Genevie Rivera, Harlandale, 57.85; 4, Azalia Jones, C.C. Tuloso-Midway, 58.18; 5, Olufunmilao Orekoya, Leander, 58.98; 6, Mariah Gonzalez, Mission Veterans Memorial, 59.34.

800-meter run — 1, C.C. Calallen, 2:12.60; 2, Lauryn Asiedu, C.P. Vista Ridge, 2:14.38; 3, Anna Norman, Boerne Champion, 2:16.43; 4, Hannah MOore, Dripping Springs, 2:19.56; 5, Sophia Roach, Cedar Park, 2:22.56; 6, Dylann Guerra, Edinburg Vela, 2:22.58.

1600-meter run — 1, Abby Gray, S.A. Alamo Heights, 4:55.95; 2, Krysta Martinez, Edcouch-Elsa, 5:00.99; 3, Ana Bautista, Rio Grande City, 5:08.53; 4, Soledad Cruz, Mercedes, 5:14.07; 5, Claire Crone, Leander, 5:15.74; 6, Jazmin Hernandez, Georgetown, 5:15.82.

100-meter hurdles — 1, Destiny Wright, Georgetown, 15.09; 2, Hannah Biggs, Dripping Springs, 15.25; 3, Madi Johnson, C.P. VIsta Ridge, 15.87; 4, Karla Ibarra, Valley View, 15.97; 5, I’Dasha Sorrell, Donna North, 16.20; 6, Ryleigh Redding, Victoria West, 12.26.

300-meter hurdles — 1, April Polasnky, C.C. Flour Bluff, 44.17; 2, Natalie Schulz, Marble Falls, 44.67; 3, Sydney Aberegg, Cedar Park, 44.98; 4, Criselda Cruz, Alice, 46.12; 5, Kassidy Heitzman, Victoria East, 46.54; 6, Favianna Rollins, Gregory-Portland, 47.48.

400-meter relay — 1, Victoria West, 48.12; 2, AUstin LBJ, 48.66; 3, Gregory-Portland, 48.84; 4, Borne Champion, 48.89; 5, S.A. Houston, 49.12; 6, Cedar Park, 49.61.

800-meter relay — 1, Victoria West, 1:42.93; 2, Boerne Champion, 1:43.10; 3, Gregory-Portland, 1:43.49; 4, Bastrop, 1:43.91; 5, C.C. Flour Bluff, 1:44.08; 6, Alamo Heights, 1:44.52.

1600-meter relay — 1, Austin Vandergrift, 3:56.13; 2, Austin LBJ, 3:57.17; 3, C.C. Tuloso Midway, 3:58.80; 4, Cedar Park, 4:00.41; 5, Leaander, 4:01.93; 6, Kerrville Tivy, 4:02.49.