Texans hoping numbers tell tale
It wasn’t a perfect competition, but it was still a highly productive one for Lamar’s girls at the District 19-6A/20-6A area track and field meet at Katy Seven Lakes.
The Texans claimed the area team title with 137.5 points, holding off Katy Seven Lakes with 122 and Katy with 108. More importantly, they qualified plenty of athletes for the Class 6A-Region III meet on Friday and Saturday, April 29-30 at Clear Creek ISD’s Challenger Columbia Stadium in Webster.
“I thought the girls did an amazing job,” said Lamar head girls coach Bob Collett. “A couple of them missed out on regionals, but we have qualifiers in 11 different events. That’s a pretty good group.”
Junior Julia Heymach of Lamar continued to show why she is one of the top distance runners in Texas, sweeping area titles in the 1,600- and 3,200-meter races with respective times of 4:50.49 and 10:52.14. She is the reigning state champion in both events.
“Julia keeps getting better,” Collett said. “Her times in the 1,600 and 3,200 are No. 1 in the region. She should make it back to state and get a chance to defend her titles.”
Milan Young, another Lamar junior, added to her medal haul. Young won the 100 (11.67) and finished second in the 100 hurdles (13.89) and 300 hurdles (43.34).
“Milan has a shot to qualify for state in all three events, but the hurdles are really competitive this year. We have some of top hurdlers in the nation in our region,” Collett said. “Milan is going to have an all-world kind of day, but she’s capable of it.”
Lamar’s 4x400 relay, featuring Destiny Hamilton, Chase Martin, Reina Ryan and Brandy Thomas, came in first (3:53.58). The Texans should be in the hunt for a state berth, although they’ll be chasing Fort Bend Hightower and Cy Springs.
“We’re ranked No. 3 in the region,” Collett said. “We’re right there on the cusp.”
Only the top two regional finishers, plus the next fastest time, will move on to state.
Lamar sophomore Haley Pollard is a legitimate threat in the throws. Pollard was the area champion in the discus with a throw of 133 feet, 3 inches and was second in the shot put (36-1).
“Haley won the discus and was a quarter of an inch for winning the shot put, too,” Collett said. “She wasn’t at her best at the area meet, but she’s throwing a long one.”
Lamar’s only other area winner was senior Brandy Thomas in the 400 (57.89).
Also qualifying for regionals are Ryan, second in the 200 (25.07) and fourth in the 100 (12.07); senior Chase Martin, third in the 100 hurdles (14.70); and junior Julia Irr, third in the pole vault (10-0).
The Texans’ 4x100 relay of senior Jada Mitchell, junior Caitlin Robinson Walker, sophomore Sydney Dillard and freshman Joi Morgan placed fourth (49.76) to claim the last regional spot.
Chavez senior Naomi Ferdinand qualified for regionals in three events, taking first in the long jump (18-10 ½), fourth in the 200 (25.31) and fourth in the triple jump (366). Bellaire senior Faith Udobong was third in the 400 (58.21), while the Cardinals’ 4x400 relay was third (3:53.82) and Westside’s 4x200 relay took third (1:43.79).
On the boys’ side, Strake Jesuit was the area team champ with 115 points, holding off Katy Tompkins with 102. Lamar was third with 64.
Reagan senior Cederick Pickrom was Houston ISD’s lone boys’ winner. Pickrom claimed the long jump (22-8) and was second in the triple jump (451).
Lamar’s regional qualifiers are junior Tre Lewis, second in the 200 (21.93); sophomore D’Shawn Jamison, third in the 400 (50.26); freshman Kenneth Dotson, fourth in the 110 hurdles (15.67); and senior Adeyemi Kolawole, tied for third in the high jump (5-10). The Texas also were second in the 4x100 relay (42.55) and third in the 4x400 relay (3:19.08).
Three Westbury boys advanced to regionals, with junior Myles Stennis taking second in the 300 hurdles (39.43), senior Ludreche Bouanga grabbing third in the 1,600 (4:25.65) and senior Brailon Murray finishing fourth in the 400 (51.01).
Also qualifying were Westside seniors Kenneth Foley and Nathan Rice. Foley was second in the discus (149-10), while Rice was fourth in the 100 (11.14).
Lamar boys at state
Lamar’s boys will compete at the Texas Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association High School Water Polo State Championships this week at the Texas A&M University Natatorium in College Station.
The Texans (17-16-2) battled through fierce competition at the EastRegion II Qualifier at Cy-Fair’s FLEET Center, grabbing the fourth and final berth. Lamar opened with victories over Langham Creek 7-4 and The Woodlands 6-3 before falling to eventual regional champ Jersey Village 10-2. They survived elimination with a 5-3 win against Westside, then lost to Cy Creek 12-3 in the thirdplace contest.
“Our region has been difficult, but either our boys or girls have made it to state the last four years,” said Lamar head water polo coach S.R. “Mac” McDonald. “If you asked me during the tournament, I would have thought our girls would have been the ones, but our boys finished strong and won the games they had to win.”
Lamar opens against Waco Midway in the first round on Friday, April 29. Beyond that, McDonald isn’t looking too far ahead.