SANTA MARIA — When Santa Maria’s Rosendo Fernandez crossed the finish line after running 3,200 meters Friday, he was the first athlete in school history to win a medal at a track and field meet hosted by Santa Maria High School.
Santa Maria has never hosted a track and field meet in the school’s history prior to Friday.
“Long time coming, I have always loved track and field,” Santa Maria athletic director Israel Gracia said. “Having a track meet here is great for the community and the kids.”
Fernandez finished second in the 3,200 to capture that first medal for the school on its track.
“It feels good,” Fernandez said. “It was something we all wanted to accomplish today.”
The Cougars’ track and field program ran on an asphalt and gravel mix before the track was installed as well as the turf on the football field. Long-distance runners like Fernandez would run on nearby trails as well.
The previous track had only one lane at best, Fernandez and Gracia said. The new eight-lane track made from polyurethane was well-used Friday by some of the best athletes from around the Rio Grande Valley.
Brownsville Lopez, Brownsville Veterans Memorial, Falfurrias, Hidalgo, Jubilee, Port Isabel, Lyford, La Villa, Monte Alto, Valley View, Santa Rosa, Raymondville and Marine Military Academy competed in the first meet in Santa Maria.
“I appreciate them coming,” Gracia said. “I know a lot of the coaches and they were willing to come. I told them we are going to put on a good meet. So far, I think we are going to be OK.”