Second Time Around
Something about regional track meet that exhilarates me. The step that could lead an athlete to the ultimate level - the state track meet in Austin.
The state meet is a showcase of the best players in athletically driven Texas. You get the best of Texas all under one roof - excuse the pun.
Last weekend in Lubbock, I got an eyeful of great competition, The joy going to state by setting a record, the heartbreak by missing a berth by onetenth of a second. It was great.
i got to see athletes like Christine Mallard of Mansfield Lagacy. Last year Mallard wasn't quite good enough to get it done in the sprints. This year her coach had her run the 400 meters. Good move. She was never challenged. She literally walked in the last last 10 meters and still ran a 55.0.
There was Stephenville junior sprinter Victoria Cameron, the defending Class 4A champ in the 100 meters. I'm betting she'll repeat at state. She easily dominated the 100. The thing about Cameron, track is her secondary sport. Soccer is number one for her.
District 3-4A had its bright moments. Sweetwater sophomore shot putter Torena Saddler won gold in the shot put as well as teammate Harrison Foster who doubled in the 110 and 300 hurdles.
Snyder sophomore Jay Castillo shocked the field by winning the 400 meters in a solid time...48.65.
Big Spring Steers represented well. Lost all my professional in the stands. Couldn't help myself. Everyone around me knew about Big Spring when the meet ended. Steers 400 and 800 relay teams stepped it up, with a group of basketballers leading the way.
Gavin Greathouse, Sa'quan Fizer and Chris Martinez were very good basketball players, but it turns out they are even better tracksters.
Adrian Solis became a member of a Big Spring's long line of good 800 runners. He follows others like Dax Mccracken, Ben Gonzales, Ian Gonzales, Chris Minter, Nick Roberson. So many i can't remember. Welcome to the club Adrian.
"Impressive" is the best word that describes Big
Spring Naomi Wines. Going to sate in two events, and she's only a freshman. Her regional winning high jump of 5-5, would have won state last year.
Just out of the blue, Forsan junior shot putter Alenna Nelson has a chance to medal at state. She won the Region 1-2A meet with a throw of 361. However, she has a best of 38-feet. If she throws that, she'll be right there in the running.
The Klondike boys and Garden City in the 1600 relay has a chance to medal, as well as Klondike's Sabastin Balcazar in the 400 and Klondike shot putter Neihmaya Howard.
It will be hard for the Sands Lady Mustangs to bring home another state title. Last year coach Ben Connell's crew won Class 1A meet thanks to its relays. It was the only meet Sands won all year.
This year, Sands has two relays entered at state - 800 (fourth best time) and 1600 (best time.) It also has Landry Morrow who has the third fastest time in the 100 hurdles. Judging from what I've seen from Sands, I'm not betting against those young ladies.
They know how to win state championships.