MISSION — Mission Veterans senior Carla Guerrero is no stranger to shouldering a heavy load during track & field season.
Guerrero has competed in multiple events for the Patriots since she was a freshman, normally competing in the UIL’s maximum number of five events each meet.
This season has been no different. Guerrero has competed in four or more events in every meet this year, participating in a total six different individual events and four different relay teams for the Patriots.
Guerrero doesn’t just compete in multiple events, however. She dominates.
The senior athlete has piled up 11 individual gold medals through four meets, adding a gold and a pair of silvers as part of relay teams. She also holds top 15 marks in the Valley in each individual event she in which has competed heading into this weekend’s meets, including the No. 1 time in the 100-meter dash.
Guerrero continued her dominance Friday, adding a trio of golds in the high jump, triple jump and 800-meter run during the Mission Veterans Patriot Relays at Mission Veterans High.
“I usually do at least five events every meet day,” Guerrero said. “It is almost always two field events and three running events. Last week, I went in all individual races. Today I did more relays. I’ve been doing this since my freshman year, though. But I feel like this year has put me on another level. I feel like I’m thriving a little more. I put in a lot of work in the summer to make this season my season.”
Guerrero’s day began with the high jump, an event she started this season after her team had nobody else to partake in it.
She has looked like a seasoned veteran through three times participating, capturing the top spot each time, including Friday with a personal-best mark of 5 feet, 2 inches. The jump is tied for second in the Valley among reported marks this year.
“We didn’t have any high jumpers on our team and we needed one, so I volunteered myself to learn it and try to see what I can do to score some points for my team,” Guerrero said. “At first, I felt kind of unnatural. I couldn’t bend the way I wanted or anything. Recently it has been getting better, though.”
Guerrero immediately moved on to her next event, walking over to the triple jump. Once again, the senior dominated, taking home the gold with another personal best, recording a mark of 36-5.5.
Guerrero wasn’t done, adding a third gold during the afternoon’s running events, coming in first in the 800-meter run to remain unbeaten in the event this year.
She capped off her day with a pair of silver medals as a part of the 4×200 and 4×400-meter relay teams. Her five-medal performance brings her season total to 19, including 15 golds.
“I’m trying to do everything and get an official time in all my events so it can help with my recruitment,” Guerrero said. “We’re going on four weeks undefeated in the 800. I’m hoping to break 2:20 in the 800 and make it to state. That’ll help with my recruitment because I definitely want to go DI next year.”
While Guerrero dominated in the jumping events, Sharyland High’s Chukwubueze Ikondu shone in the discus throw once again, capturing his third straight medal in the event.
Last week, Ikondu recorded a personal-best throw of 164-9, the best in Region IV-5A and the Valley heading into this week’s meets.
He followed with another strong showing, recording a throw of 156-7 to win the gold. La Joya High’s Taylor Medina was the next closest with a mark of 144-08.
“Last year was the year I really started getting good,” Ikondu said. “I remember my first meets I couldn’t even throw it to 120 (feet). Last year I felt like I just started getting comfortable in the technique and all those things. Right now, it is just about increasing my speed and getting to that 180 feet mark because I am trying to get to state.”
Meanwhile, Roma’s Artemio Belmontes notched his first win of the year in the shot put with a throw of 43-5. He had finished third and seventh in his previous two meets. He also added a third-place in the discus with a throw of 138-7.
“It is a good feeling,” Belmontes said. “I had just gotten third in the discus so I had to jump up in the ranks in the shot put and get that gold. I came in, warmed up and felt good. This year has just been a big year for me. It has been a defining year for me. My goal for Roma is to get them on the map. I want to put this throwing program on the map. We see all these big schools, but we want to get Roma on that map. I have a great coach in Coach (Juan) Saenz, who has been doing a good job. We’re pushing through to reach that goal.”
For full results from Friday’s Mission Veterans Patriot Relays, visit RGVSports.com.
