RIO GRANDE CITY — Serina Ramirez’s first time participating in track and field wasn’t by choice. The then-second grader was forced to go along when her sister decided to participate in summer track and field.
To avoid running, Ramirez gravitated toward the throwing events. Her love for shot put and discus wasn’t instant. She admits she didn’t want to be out there most days.
“Coach Pat Saenz, he got my sister into running and my mom really wanted me to get into something because every summer I was a little of a chubby kid,” Ramirez said. “My mom took me and my sister and told me if I didn’t want to run to go throw. I didn’t really start off liking the sport. I was a little chubby kid and didn’t want to be out there, but my mom pushed me to go.”
Slowly but surely, the sport grew on Ramirez, falling in love with both events and committing herself to becoming the best she could be as she began her high school career at Rio Grande City.
Fast forward nearly 10 years and Ramirez’s love for the sport has opened new doors she never imagined, signing her national letter of intent to continue her academic and athletic career at Texas Christian University on Wednesday in front of coaches, family and friends at the Rio Grande City Gym.
TCU is an NCAA Division I university that competes in the Big 12.
“I’m feeling very excited, but nervous,” Ramirez said. “But I am very appreciative of having this opportunity to go out and represent not only Rio Grande City but the Valley. It is a very great opportunity and I’m just happy to have it.”
Ramirez joins the Horned Frogs with three decorated seasons with the Rattlers under her belt. The senior has qualified for the state meet in both the shot put and discus during two of her first three years.
Her lone season not advancing to state was during the 2019 season, which featured the season ending prematurely amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
| Rio Grande City’s Serina Ramirez competes in the Class 5A girls discus throw during the UIL State Track and Field Championships on May 13, 2022 at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin. (Special To The Monitor / Photo By Edward A. Ornelas) |
“Serina is one of the hardest working and toughest competitors that I have ever coached or seen at track meets,” Rio Grande City throwing coach Andrew Lopez said. “It has been a privilege to be able to coach her for so long.”
The Rattlers thrower staked her claim as arguably the greatest female track and field athlete in school history last season, setting school records in both the discus (45 feet, 6.5 inches) and shot put (155-04).
Ramirez also became the first female athlete in the school’s history to medal at the UIL state meet per school officials, finishing third in the Class 5A discus throw with a mark of 149-10.
Still, Ramirez isn’t done yet, setting her sights on one final accomplishment during her senior season, set to begin Feb. 24.
“My goal this year is to focus on my training and go from there,” Ramirez said. “Really though, I just want to get first in state. That has always been my goal and I’m sure everybody’s goal too. These years have been a little bit rocky but I’m not letting it get away this year. I’m going to push myself really hard this year in my trainings and practices to get where I want to be.”