BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER
MISSION — Fabian Garcia had to run a little further than expected, but the end result was worth it.
During Thursday’s Patriot Invitational at Bentsen Park, the race’s pacesetter led runners off course midway through the varsity boys competition, adding a few extra meters to the event’s original 5K duration.
By that point, however, Garcia settled into his groove and comfortably won his first gold medal of the season, crossing the finish line in 16 minutes, 43 seconds for the Mission Veterans Patriots — 11 seconds faster than the runner-up.
“At the two-mile mark, I could feel my body start to tense up,” Garcia said. “But I saw some of the leaders start to fall back, so I thought ‘This is my chance.’”
Garcia’s victory comes on the eve of district races, which take place next week at events across the Valley. Garcia placed third at the District 31-5A meet a season ago, and enters 2015 with hopes of winning it all.
“That’s a goal I’ve had for myself since last year,” Garcia said. “I’ve been trying to get better and run faster, but I don’t want to peak too soon. I still want to leave something in the tank.”
Though district looms large, Garcia’s workouts have focused on running uphill. Such a skill is required to compete on courses north of the Valley — like the course in Round Rock which hosts the state meet.
“I want to become a better all around runner,” Garcia said. “The better I run, the better I finish, the more attention I’ll get from colleges. That’s what I want to be. I want to run at the collegiate level.”
Garcia says he’s already received offers from schools — although he’s mum on which ones — but won’t commit until after season’s end.
Though Garcia won for the Patriots, Weslaco High won the team standings with 46 points. Juan Manzono finished second for the Panthers (16:54) while Irvin Avila (17:57) and Carlos Tiroco (17:59) placed seventh and eighth, respectively.
The Varsity girls experienced no hiccups during their race in terms of added distance. Instead, Rio Grande City’s Ana Bautista delivered more of the same as she won her third gold medal of the year with a time of 19:27. Teammate Marlett Treviño placed fifth (20:48) while the Lady Rattlers placed second as a team with 61 points.
The Weslaco High girls team placed fist with 40 points, and were led by Stephanie Sauceda, who finished second with a time of 19:54.
Team Results — 1, Weslaco High, 46 points; 2, Mission Veterans, 72; 3, Mission High, 81; 4, Sharyland High, 100; 5, McAllen High, 113; 6, Roma, 159.
Individual Results — 1, Fabian Garcia, Mission Veterans, 16:43; 2, Juan Manzano, Weslaco High, 16:54; 3, Martin Gonzalez, Sharyland High, 17;03; 4, Brandon Garcia, Rio Grande City, 17:26; 5, Hiram Rivera, Rio Grande City, 17:37; 6, Jorge Perez, Mission High, 17:53; 7, Irvin Avila, Weslaco High, 17:57; 8, Carlos Tiroco, Weslaco Hihg, 17:59; 9, Sebastian Dela Garza, Sharyland High, 18:01; 10, Jesus Garcia, Mission High, 18:08; 11, Edwardo Rodriguez, Weslaco High, 18:10; 12, Paco Rodriguez, McAllen High, 18;15; 13, JD Corono, Rio Grande City, 18:16, 14, Arturo Cedilla, 18:17; 15, Yariel Sanchez, Mission Vetreans, 18:18.35; 16, Rudy Vela, Mission Veterans, 18:18.94; 17, Xavier Ortiez, Mission High, 18:21’ 18, Jovanni Vela, Weslaco High, 18:23; 19, Jesus Mata, Mission Veterans, 18:26; 20, Javier Gonzalez, Sharyland High, 18:29.
Girls
Team Results — 1, Weslaco High, 40 points; 2, Rio Grande City, 61; 3, Sharyland High, 86; 4, Weslaco East, 101; 5, Mission Veterans, 103.
Individual Results — 1, Ana Bautista, Rio Grande City, 19:27; 2, Stephanie Sauceda, Weslaco High, 19:54; 3, Justeen Cantu, Weslaco East, 20:34; 4, G. Martinez, Weslaco High, 20:37; 5, Marlett Treviño, Rio Grande City, 20:58; 6, Sam Guerrero, Sharyland High, 20:49; 7, Paula Maldonado, McAllen High, 21:00; 8, Aaliyah Garza, Weslaco High, 21:28; 9, Nathalia Nevarez, Mission High, 21:33; 10, Mana Gonzalez, Mission Veterans, 21:40; 11, Hope Pedraza, Weslaco High, 21:49; 12, Adrianne Cruz, Rio Grande City, 21:54; 13, Cynthia Hernandez, Sharyland High, 21:55; 14, Nyla Vela, Mission Veterans, 21:58; 15, Leah Solis, Weslaco High, 22:10; 16, Kahora Barbosa, Weslaco High, 22:19; 17, Joyce Solanzao, Weslaco East, 22:25; 18, Valerie Flores, Mission High, 22:51; 19, Nicole Aquillra, Sharyland High, 22:52, 20, Brianna Gonzalez, Rio Grande City, 23:07.