By MARK MOLINA
Staff Writer
When it comes to any sport, competition is an obvious driving force.
With the Region IV-6A meet coming up tomorrow in San Antonio, in-house competition has provided that for local duos from Harlingen and Harlingen South.
At last week’s 31-6A/32-6A area meet, the Harlingen South boys pole vaulting duo of Sam Alvarez and Marcus Ramirez finished first and second, respectively.
For head coach Ralph De La Rosa, having both compete at a high level has made all the difference.
“They go everyday in practice and it has helped keep them focused, as well as giving them a competitive edge,” De la Rosa said.
The duo’s bond has been so strong, that girls vaulter Mikaela Flores has benefitted from them, which helped her to an area championship as well.
“It’s rubbed off on Mikaela and now, they’re all together,” De La Rosa said. “They get their mats and set up a tent and are out there working for one or two hours every day.”
Cross-town rival Harlingen has also had their own duo make noise as Christopher Rosales and Christopher Montemayor finished first and second place in the 400-meter run.
The pair has been together the last four years and head coach Efrain Ambriz thinks it’s why both are able to excel at a high level and influence the rest of the team.
“Being together for the last four years has made them push each other and make each other better,” Ambriz said. “They feed off of each other and when one does well, it makes the other want to do well. It helps as a team. They see that and it pushes them to be better as well.”
Moreso, having two athletes who put in the time like they do is what Ambriz finds most impressive about the pair.
“Nobody sees the work that goes into that one race,” Ambriz said. “It’s all the time, preparation and work that goes into it every single day and through all the off seasons, all the training is what stands out the most about Chris and Chris.”
While in-house competition is nothing new, De La Rosa feels it brings to light what track and field can be all about.
“You see competition in other sports like in football and basketball when they compete for positions,” De La Rosa said. “Here, both have just as much a chance to win at a meet as the next guy and that’s the beautiful thing about track and field.”
OTHERS SHOOTING FOR STATE IN 6A
Harlingen South’s Nicole Gonzalez is still atop the Valley’s standings in the 100-, 200-, and 400-meter dashes and is the only athlete running all three races in the meet.
Harlingen’s Juliana Guerrero will try her luck in the triple and high jump, as well as the 400-meter dash.
San Benito’s John Belmares will attempt to qualify for state back-to-back years after winning the shot put at last week’s area meet.
He will be joined by teammate Jorge Cantu, who won the 300-meter hurdles.