PSJA North’s Hector Solis has accomplished a lot during his four years competing for the Raiders. The senior distance runner has made multiple state meet appearances in cross-country, while setting school records in the 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs on the track.

One thing has evaded Solis, however, was never having won an individual district championship during track season. Last year, injuries forced Solis out of the district meet, with the previous season ending prematurely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The decorated athlete finally struck gold Monday, clocking it at 9 minutes, 22.93 seconds for first in the 3,200-meter run during Day 1 of the District 31-6A track and field championships at Richard Flores Stadium in Edinburg.

Solis edged Mission High’s Rogelio Aguirre (9:23.60) by less than one second for first, motivated by his own one second loss to the Eagles’ distance runner during 94th annual Texas Clyde Littlefield Relays on March 26.

“To get it off my back, it was a moment of relief,” Solis said. “The plan was mainly just to qualify for area. In the back of my head, I thought about just sitting back and relaxing for second. But going up against Rogelio (Aguirre), who is basically my main competitor coming into district and area, I know he beat me by one second earlier this year. I wanted to get back at him in a friendly rivalry type of way.”

Solis isn’t satisfied with one district title under his belt, aiming for the triple crown during Day 2 of the meet today. He is scheduled to compete in the 800- and 1,600-meter runs during tonight’s finals.

The University of Texas commit is eyeing another personal accomplishment Wednesday. After breaking school records in the 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs earlier this season, Solis is hoping to break the 800-meter run record of 1:55.72 set by his coach Enrique Garza in 2001.

“To be able to put all that together, it would solidify my definition of work,” Solis said. “To me, it just means that everything I’ve worked for the past four years has definitely paid off. It shows me there is no stopping what can happen at the next level.”

The District 31-6A track and field championships continue at 6 p.m. today at Richard Flores Stadium.

REPEAT JAGUARS

Back-to-back district championships are on the horizon for Edinburg Economedes’ girls track team, holding the top spot in the District 31-6A team standings following Day 1.

Through seven events, the Jaguars sit atop the team standings with 55 points, trailed by Edinburg High (44) and PSJA High (38).

“I couldn’t be prouder of these girls and all the things they’ve been doing,” Edinburg Economedes head coach Brenda Lozano said. “Going into the running events, we’re on top in some of the events. … When it comes down to it, and I’ve done my research, we’re the second-best team here in the Valley. It just comes down to this last day tomorrow. We’ll see what my girls have, but I’m proud of them no matter what.”

Edinburg Economedes’ Marcela Herrera tallied 22 points for her team during Monday’s field events, capturing three medals. Herrera earned bronze in the high jump with a mark of 4 feet, 10 inches.

She added a pair of silver medals in the long and triple jump, recording jumps of 17-00 and 33-09.5, respectively.

“Last year she wasn’t one of those girls for us that we depended on to bring in a lot of points,” Lozano said. “She knew that, so she worked over the summer. She did all the things she could to get ready for this time and she’s been the one to shine for us. … This girl, she was just on fire all day Monday.”

BACK ON TRACK

Edinburg North’s San Juanita Leal has been a force in the 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs this season, reeling off four consecutive victories in each event.

Her streak came to an end during the Rio Grande Valley Coaches Association’s Meet of Champions on March 26, finishing second in the 3,200-meter run to La Joya Palmview’s Destiny Quintanilla.

Leal got back on track during Day 1 of the District 31-6A meet, coming in first with a time of 11:08.43 to retake her spot at the top of the podium.

The sophomore distance runner finished roughly 43 seconds faster than the next closest competitor, with Edinburg High’s Mia Guillen coming in second (11:51.35).

Leal ranks No. 3 in the 1,600- and 3,200-meters run in Region IV-6A according to Athletic.net. She’ll look to build off Monday’s strong performance during the 800 and 1,600-meter runs today.

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