McAllen Rowe’s Janie Delgado will be joining her former classmate and teammate, Laurynn Alexis Garcia, in the track and cross-country team for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Delgado committed to UTRGV in early March to continue her running and education career.
“It all started when I was in middle school, when I tried out for the cross-country team,” Delgado said. “My coach told me I had potential so I decided to dedicate myself to it (cross country).”
Delgado dedicated herself during her time in middle school and throughout the summer before her freshman year, ultimately achieving her goal of being in both the track and the cross-country varsity teams all four years of high school.
Through her hard work, Delgado qualified to regionals all four years in cross-country and achieved a personal record of 18 minutes and 41 seconds her senior year.
Besides cross-country, Delgado was also able to excel in track.
Delgado ran the 3200-meter run, the mile run, the 800 and the 400 in track where she also achieved personal records (PR’S) her junior and senior year. She holds a personal record in the 3200-meter run with a time of 11:40 and a time of 3:25 in the 800-meter run that were both achieved her junior year. Her mile run improved her senior year, with a personal record of 5:29.
During her junior year, Delgado placed second in both the mile and 3200-meter run, and third place in the 800 meter-run – having her qualify for the All-Area Meet.
Delgado extended her track season by placing third in the two mile run at the All-Area Meet that led her to qualify for Regionals, where she finished in ninth place.
“I did not get to finish my track season this year,” Delgado said. “Everything was cut short for me because of the coronavirus, but I was fortunate enough to have the chance to continue what I love to do in college.”
Despite the fact that her season was cut short, Delgado still finds motivation in herself. “I try not to think about it often,” Delgado said. “It is sad it happened but I am given another chance and I am looking forward to growing as both a runner and student – I never imagined to continue running out of high school, but I am glad I listened to my coach and continued running.”