By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
How long is a month?
Too long for the St. Joseph Academy track & field team.
It’s been that long since the Bloodhounds’ last competition on the track, and they are ready to compete in the preliminary rounds today and in the finals Friday at the TAPPS South Regional 5A meet at Houston Awty International.
“I’m interested to find out what kind of shape they’re in,” St. Joseph coach Meme Garza said while laughing. “The kids are excited to go against people in different colored uniforms, and I’m looking forward to it, too.
“The last time we competed, we did very well. So I’m looking for some improvement and hoping we can qualify (for the state meet).”
“Anyone that qualifies is going to be treated to a great venue because it’s brand new,” Garza said. “The facility is one of the best in the country, so hopefully that will be an incentive.”
The top four from each event will qualify to compete at state.
Megan Lopez, who is the defending state champion in the pole vault, returns to the regional meet eager to advance and defend her title. One of the top hurdlers in the Valley this year, freshman Gaby Garza will compete in the 100- and 300-meter hurdles. Fellow classmate Kai Money will compete in the long jump, triple jump, and as a member of the 400, 800 and 1,600 relay teams.
Along with Money, Mario Garcia, Gerardo Moses and Cole Conner will run in 400 and 800 relays. In the 1,600 relay it will be Money, Garcia, Conner and Miguel Jara.
“Our boys relay teams are going to be right in the mix,” Garza said. “All three relays rank third, so we can’t make any mistakes.”
Also competing in the TAPPS regional are Marte Rodriguez in 110 and 300 hurdles, Camyrn Gloor and Marifer Valencia in pole vault, Desi Rae Cortinas in the discus, Lucy Salum in the triple jump, and Marijose Del Poso in the long jump.
Valencia won a bronze medal at the state meet last year, and Cortinas is hoping to advance once again after she advanced to the state meet the past three years.
Despite the layoff, Garza was confident in the work each athlete had done at practice to get ready.
“We’ll see how it goes,” he said. “Keep your fingers crossed. Hopefully the kids have a good shot to make it, and hopefully we have a few surprises and will be back on the road next week.”
Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @andrewmcrum.