HARLINGEN — Roma’s Allen Perez did not jump at last year’s RGVCA Meet of Champions because he was at his girlfriend’s 16th birthday party.
The senior jumped this year and came out with the win Saturday at Boggus Stadium in Harlingen.
“Feels good,” Perez said. “I just wanted to compete after missing last year for something important.”
Perez did not want to skip the competitive meet this year as he attempts to make it back to the UIL Class 5A state meet after qualifying for the meet in 2022. Perez finished tied for ninth at state.
When Perez qualified for state last year, he was the first boys representative in the high jump from Roma since Beto Suarez did it in 1987. Suarez was a classmate of Perez’s jumping coach, Abelardo Escobar.
Perez’s success means a lot to the program, Escobar said.
“I am hoping that he can replicate the same results as last year,” Escobar said. “And maybe even experience a better outcome, higher jumps. He is a senior and is graduating, so I hope he experiences that.”
Perez and Weslaco High’s Jake Ramirez were the last two jumpers remaining with the bar at 6 feet, 4 inches. Perez cleared 6-2 on his second attempt. Ramirez cleared it on his third attempt.
Both came close to clearing 6-4 on the second attempt, but the bar just rattled off. Clearing 6-4 and 6-6 is where Perez wants to be.
The senior has only jumped in two other meets because of a high ankle sprain during the basketball season.
“I want to thank my coach for everything,” Perez said. “He has been there through everything, helping me during my injury and all of that.”
La Joya Palmview’s Michael Hernandez finished third by clearing six feet. Raymondville’s Bryen Robles and Mission Veterans Memorial’s Cole Butel also cleared six feet.
The Cardinals picked up the first field medal of the meet when Santiago Jongintud defeated Los Fresnos’ Thomas Sandoval in the pole vault. Jongintud cleared 13-6 in less attempts than Sandoval.
Harlingen High’s Luis Galvan won the long jump. Edinburg Vela’s Jacob Trevino came in second and La Joya’s Angel Rodriguez finished third.
Brownsville Veterans Memorial’s Gerry Gomez continued his success at the triple jump by taking the gold with a jump of 45-3.50. Sharyland Pioneer’s Evan Thompson took home gold in the shot put. Sharyland High’s Chukwubueze Ikondu dominated the discus throw.
Sharyland High’s Morelia Moreno had a great day in the girls field events. Moreno won both the long jump and the triple jump. La Feria’s Keira Castillo finished behind Moreno in both competitions.
Harlingen High’s Emma Reyes cleared 11 feet to win the pole vault. Brownsville St. Joseph’s Nicole Richer came in second. Mission Veterans Memorial’s Carla Guerrero won the high jump by clearing 5-4. La Joya Palmview’s Jeslynn Flores finished second and Brownsville IDEA Frontier’s Ashley Olvera came in third.
Rio Grande City’s Serina Ramirez took gold in the shot put. Ramirez’s 42-5 beat Harlingen High thrower Jazmine Thompson’s 41-8. Lasara’s Xiomara Rodriguez, the Class 1A state champ, won gold in the discus. Brownsville St. Joseph’s Alondra Loya, a TAPPS state champion, finished second in the discus.
For full results of the meet click the link below.