MERCEDES — Going into the 2020 track and field season, the Sharyland Pioneer Diamondbacks’ Daisy Monie had one goal on her mind — get back to the state meet.
Before Monie could reach her goal, the season ended abruptly due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. One year later, the decorated senior is one step closer to making her return to state after taking first in the discus and shot put at the Region IV 31-5A/32-5A area meet Thursday.
“There was definitely a lot of motivation coming in, especially after not having a full season last year,” Monie said. “I was expecting a lot of big things from myself last year and the people I was competing against. So, going into this year, it pushes me more and gives me more motivation to go out there, show up and do what I have to do, especially because it’s my senior year.”
Despite breaking her own area meet record in the discus with a throw for 43 feet, 9 inches, Monie said her ultimate goal is another state appearance.
“The key to my success is God and my faith,” Monie said. “I’m so thankful that I’ve made it this far with-out getting sick or getting injured. That’s the first thing I can be thankful about. Then my family, my friends and my support. I’ve just been training nonstop. I just have to keep going and keep pushing. I have a goal and I’m not satisfied. I still expect more from myself. I know there’s still more in my tank. So, I’m just going to keep pushing.”
While Monie dominated her events, it was the McAllen High Bulldogs’ girls and boys track teams at the top of the standings at the end of the night, with both teams being crowned area champions.
Overall, the Bulldogs will send 16 individuals (7 boys, 9 girls) and three relay teams to the Class 5A regional meet.
“Coach (Luis) Cantu and I, we were joking that we were going to need to take two buses to San Antonio,” McHi boys track coach Bob Bechtold said. “Now, it looks like that’s what is going to happen to get all these guys and girls out there. It’s different. We’ve gone from taking three kids, to something like fourteen that we got qualified between the relays, the opens and the field events. Right now, it’s just tough to really fathom what these kids have done.”
Among those individuals is junior sprinter Leslie Sequera, who took home four gold medals on the night.
Sequera, who came in first during the long jump, 100, and 200 dash, was also a part of the 4×100 relay team that broke the area meet record with a time of 49.95 seconds. Sequera’s performances awarded her team 35 points, while also earning her the girls MVP of the meet.
In total, the McHi girls took home eight individual gold medals, including a dominating performance during the pole vault by senior Olivia Tite, who broke her own school record with a vault of 11 feet.
While the Bulldogs’ boys track team earned the overall team championship, earning four individual gold medals and three first places in the relays, the PSJA Memorial Wolverines’ Wiliams Macias and Rolando Maldonado led the individual points category, combining for five gold and one silver medal.
Macias continued his dominant season, coming away with first place finishes during the 800, 1,600m and 3,200. Macias’ individual efforts, which included an area record of 9:22.65 during the 3,200, earned him the boys area MVP.
Macias, who makes his return to the regional finals for the first time since his sophomore season due to the COVID-19 pandemic cutting last season short, said he’s happy to be back and show everyone what he’s capable of.
“I feel happy because I didn’t think I was going to be able to do it,” Macias said. “There were some strong competitors. But thankfully I was able to do it. It all came down to pushing myself and just dedication. From here on out it’s nothing but training and working hard. I want to go to San Antonio and win it all.”
Meanwhile, Maldonado left his mark during the field events, taking the area crown during the high jump and triple jump, while finishing in second during the long jump.
In total, the Wolverines’ duo combined for 48 of their team’s 68 points, giving them a third-place finish in the overall standings. Mercedes topped the Wolverines in the standings, finishing in second place with 72 points, while Sharyland Pioneer came away with fourth with an overall score of 56.
Finishing in second place on the girls side with 105.5 points was Sharyland High, followed by Edcouch-Elsa with 83 points. Rounding out the top four was Memorial with 77 points.
Up next for the qualifying athletes is a trip to Heroes Stadium in San Antonio for the UIL Class 5A regional meet April 23-24.