MARK MOLINA | Staff Writer
After having no Rio Grande Valley state qualifiers on Day 1 of the Region IV-2/4A meet, a trio of girls runners on Day 2 ensured that their track seasons would continue.
Santa Maria’s Julissa Garcia, La Villa’s Robbie Espericueta and Rio Hondo’s Jazaline Ayala all went the distance and punched tickets to the state meet in their respective classes Saturday at Texas A&M Kingsville’s Javelina Stadium.
Garcia had the biggest day by bringing home gold in the 400-meter dash in 1:01.83 seconds. Espericueta and Ayala each placed second in the 2A and 4A 800, respectively.
The Santa Maria junior took the lead heading into the final 100 meters and held off Holland’s Kate Gordon and San Saba’s Kylee Eckerman down the home stretch to secure the win.
“The second-place girl was gaining on me, and that just made me push myself harder,” said Garcia, who is heading to state for the second straight year. “I was nervous before the race, but once it started I knew I had to get this win. It’s a really good feeling (to win). It’s better than last year because I got second in this race, but I still need to work on my time.”
Espericueta finished the 800 with a time of 2:25.19 behind San Saba’s Brighton Adams (2:23.23.).
The La Villa senior also is heading to state for the second straight year, but she was not pleased with her time or the fact that she did not pick up the win like last season.
Espericueta was in third place during the final 200 meters before making her kick capturing her state berth.
“This wasn’t my best race at all, and I’m not very proud of what I’ve done today,” she said. “My goal was to get first. When I was running the second lap, I knew I was behind so I had to catch up. I was trying to breathe right because my throat was kind of hurting and I was struggling there, but I picked it up at the 200 and I placed second.”
Espericueta also placed third in the mile run and may have an outside shot at a wild card spot.
In Class 4A, Ayala finished her race with a 2:27.76, behind Pleasanton’s Caitlyn Nieschwitz (2:22.69).
It was a close race down the stretch, but Ayala stayed strong down the home stretch.
“I felt really good and in my second lap, I started pushing and going stronger,” she said. “I kept on telling myself I could do it, and to push it and never give up. I’m happy, excited and very nervous for state. A lot of big schools are there, and this will be my first time. This is the first time in a long time someone for my school is going to state. It’s just exciting.”
Port Isabel managed to get on the awards podium with a couple of third-place finishes on Day 2.
The 800 relay placed third with a time of 1:31.08, and in the 200, Mac Strunk, who also anchors the 800 relay team, took bronze in 22.27.