STAFF REPORTS
Port Isabel’s Daniella Murchison finished second in the discus with a throw of 132 feet, six inches at the Region IV-4A meet Saturday at Javelina Stadium on the campus of the University of Texas A&M-Kingsville.
Murchison advances to the UIL state track & field meet May 14 and 16 in two events at Mike A. Meyers Stadium on the campus of the Universityof Texas in Austin.
Murchison also will compete in the shot put after winning the regional Friday. She is the two-time state champion in the event. The senior won a bronze medal last year in the discus and had hoped to return to improve this season.
“My very first throw was in second (place),” Murchison said. “I wanted to get it over with and be safe so I didn’t have to worry, but I feel like I threw well (Saturday). I’m really excited to go back to state. I just want to do my best, hopefully placing first or second.”
Port Isabel girls coach Julie Breedlove said she was happy the senior achieved her goal of a return to the state meet.
“She had a pretty good day,” Breedlove said. “We didn’t PR or break any records (Saturday), but we made it out and that’s what matters.”
The Lady Tarpons also competed in 1,600 relay but finished eighth with a time of 4:11.81.
“We came up a little short and didn’t get the time we wanted,” Breedlove said. “But these girls are young and they’re all coming back. Just the experience of going up there will help us out in the long run.”
On the boys side, Omar Silva ran in the 300 hurdles but was disqualified and did not place.
Port Isabel boys coach Ryan Stanage could not be reached for comment via phone.
Also from around the Valley, the La Feria boys’ 1,600 relay team (3:24.99) finished third, missing a chance to advance to state by .05 seconds.
Michael Zuniga of Rio Hondo finished third in the discus (159-04). He was trying to advance to state in his second event after advancing to state in the shot put Friday.