KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer
HARLINGEN — Senior Sky Tatum has had a busy schedule over the last month. He recently competed in the UIL state track meet and this past weekend played his final high school football game at the RGVCA All-Star game in Weslaco.
Earlier this year, Tatum signed a letter of intent to play football and run track at Texas Lutheran University. But on Monday he decided to stay closer to home and focus on track as he inked a letter to attend the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley.
“The track coaches at UTRGV had a big impact on me signing there,” Tatum said. “Signing at a Division I college and going up against that level of competition is something I’m not too worried about. I know I will have to continue to train hard, and do my best and the rest will fall into place.”
Tatum qualified for the state meet for the first time in his career earlier this month and at state he finished sixth in the discus with a throw of 179-01.
Prior to Tatum’s march to state, he was a district, area and regional champion, and also placed second at the Texas Relays.
“One thing I will have to adjust to is the different type of implement I’ll be throwing with along with the different events I’ll be competing in.” Tatum said.
Harlingen South track coach Ralph De La Rosa had high praise for Tatum.
“Sky set the tone from the beginning and showed the rest of the team that he had their back,” De La Rosa said. “He was also a great example of a team player, and always knew his role and took pride in his work. He will be missed and it’s going to be tough losing him, but I can’t wait to see what he gets done at UTRGV.”