By CLAIRE CRUZ, Staff Writer
Madison Ramos and William Camacho of Port Isabel both reached the medal stand on the first day of the UIL state track & field meet in Austin.
Class 3A and 4A athletes competed Thursday to kick off the weekend. The East Valley had eight athletes from four different schools participating.
Ramos, a junior, earned bronze in the 4A girls high jump, clearing 5 feet, 4 inches. Nevada Community’s Brenna Bottoms took gold and Raegan Stephenson of Vidor finished second.
Camacho, a senior, recorded a 44-8.25 jump to win bronze in the 4A boys triple jump. Donte Sinegal of Fort Worth Benbrook was first and Waco Connally’s Jelani McDonald finished second.
La Feria’s Cristian Olivarez finished seventh in the event with a jump of 43-3.75.
In the 4A boys long jump, La Feria’s Aaron Trevino finished eighth with a 20-9.50 jump. Lions teammate Julian Dominguez was ninth in the 800-meter run with a time of 1 minute, 59.37 seconds. La Feria freshman distance runner Liana Navarro just missed the medal stand, finishing fourth in the 3,200 with a time of 11:12.99.
Raymondville senior ZaRaiVion Armendarez ran the 4A boys 400 in 50.45 and came in eighth.
Santa Rosa senior Reese Lara was the sole 3A representative and finished fourth in the boys 800 with a time of 1:59.01.
The East Valley will have eight more athletes compete Saturday at the Class 1A and 6A levels.