BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER
PHARR — The taxpayers of PSJA ISD have Michael Gonzalez to thank for the shiny and new portion of chain-link fence near T-STEM Early College High School.
As the PSJA Memorial senior practiced the discuss throw Thursday for his season-opening meet at Saturday’s Winter Relays, only a measly orange mesh fence stood between the far-flung projectiles and passing students.
The distance from the throwing ring to the school’s sidewalk is roughly 190 feet, a significant distance for a thrower to achieve during a preseason practice. But for Gonzalez, his burgeoning strength came at the expense of someone’s car.
On an attempt where everything clicked — his footwork, pivot and release — the discuss sailed past the fence, bounced off the sun-dried grass and careened into a gray sedan.
“It didn’t do anything major,” Gonzalez says of the damage. “It hit near the rim of her tire. (The driver) watched me do it, too. Everything was fine, though.”
No harm no foul, but a school official put an end to the workout session and the new segment of fencing was installed Friday.
No vehicles were dinged Saturday at PSJA Stadium, and Gonzalez didn’t come anywhere near the distance achieved in his practice attempt. Still, even on a day where Gonzalez put up numbers which left him indifferent, he managed to win gold in the boys discus (156 feet, 4 inches) and shot put (49-01), setting a new personal best in the latter event.
For Gonzalez, a multi-sport athlete who ranks among the Valley’s premier throwers, gold is expected every time he enters the ring. For him, the luster of first isn’t as important as improving — especially during his final season.
“Last year, I was just going out there and trying to throw as far as I could,” Gonzalez said. “This year, I’ve really been focusing a lot on my technique. I’m stronger, but I’m also smarter. I’m more aware of the things I have to do when I’m competing.”
Gonzalez’s senior-year goal is simple: State meet or bust.
Adding fuel to his already-competitive fire is a bitter loss at the regional meet in San Antonio a season ago. During a competition in which the top two finishers automatically qualify for state, Gonzalez finished third, clipped by seven inches on the final throw from Terrance Steele of Cibolo Steele.
“I’m still not over it,” Gonzlaez said. “It just makes me grind more. Hopefully I can go back there and take what’s mine.”
With regionals still three months away, Gonzalez will have to let the long-simmering sting of defeat settle a little more.
Helping him get over his post-regional blues is PSJA Memorial throwing coach coach Marc Evans — who last year made a mid-season move from Wesalco East and didn’t begin coaching Gonzalez until the District 31-6A meet.
“What we’ve been working on with him is putting his rhythm together,” Evans said. “We’re going throwing his timing in the ring, the release, where his head is supposed to be, and something he’s been good at since before I got to work with him, and that’s when to pull and finish it.”
“One day, everything is going to come together and he’s going to throw 190 feet. That’s good enough to medal at the state level. If he keeps working hard and eliminates the negatives, there’s no one that can beat him.”