McAllen Memorial track and field athletes Galilea Espinoza, Nailea Espinoza and Carolina Regalado signed their national letters of intent May 21 at the McAllen Memorial Gymnasium, committing to continue their academic and athletic careers at Upper Iowa University, an NCAA Division II school that competes in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
Regalado — who attended Achieve Early College High, a McAllen school that doesn’t offer sports — was a four-year letter winner for the Mustangs, competing in the 100- and 400-meter dash as a senior, while also being a part of the 4×100, 4×200 and 4×400 meter relay teams.
Regalado posted a personal record of 1:07.54 in the 400-meter dash during the Jacket Quad Meet on Feb. 6. She earned a spot at the Region IV-5A meet as a part of the 4×100 meter relay team, finishing in sixth place with a time of 50.35 seconds.
She capped off her senior season by earning McAllen Memorial’s Heart and Hustle award and a spot on the District 31-5A second team.
Galilea and Nailea, who are twin sisters, join the Peacocks after three-year careers with the Mustangs. Galilea competed in multiple events during her time at Memorial, specializing in the long jump, setting a personal record of 16 feet, 10 inches as a junior.
She also made an appearance in the Region IV-6A meet as a sophomore as a part of the 4×200 relay team, finishing in 16th place with a time of 1:50.23.
Meanwhile, Nailea made a name for herself as a sprinter and jumper, qualifying for the Region IV-5A meet as a senior in the long jump, 100-meter dash and 4×100 meter relay. She earned District 31-5A second team and McAllen Memorial Co-MVP honors during her final year, setting personal records of 16-8.75 and 12.71 in the long jump and 100-meter dash, respectively.
Now, the trio takes their talents to Northern Iowa University, where they will compete for the Peacocks under the tutelage of head coach Nate Rucker.