HARLINGEN — Weslaco East’s Gael Romo didn’t begin his track career like most. The senior sprinter didn’t step on the track for the Wildcats until last season, way later than most track and field athletes.
On top of a late start to his career, the then-junior battled through a hernia and other setbacks.
That didn’t stop Romo from making noise during his first season, zooming all the way to the Region IV-5A championships before his season came to an end.
“When I first started track, it started as a way for me to get my mind off of things,” Romo said. “After I started seeing progress, I started to double and triple down on it. The results showed, but I still have another level to reach. I definitely am not satisfied but I am happy with where I’m at. Last year I was a little overweight and diagnosed with a back hernia. I had to deal with that recovery. It was just a lot of stuff. This year I am fully healthy and right there mentally.”
Romo has taken it to another level this year, going 6-of-6 in gold medals in both the 100- and 200-meter dashes heading into this past weekend’s 46th annual Meet of Champions.
The senior sprinter continued his dominance during Saturday’s finals, extending his undefeated streak to seven in both events Saturday at Boggus Stadium in Harlingen.
“I feel great after today,” Romo said. “Last year I came in here and got second in the 100. It feels good to get over that little hump today.”
Romo’s dominant Saturday night was just the latest in a long string of accomplishments during his final year.
He ranks in the top 3 in Class 5A in both the 100- and 200-meter dashes heading into championship season according to Athletic.net. His mark of 10.52 seconds in the 100-meter dash set Feb. 24 ranks No. 3 in Class 5A and No. 23 in the nation. He also recorded the No. 2 fastest mark in Class 5A in the 200-meter dash that same day, which also ranks No. 8 in the nation.
While Romo’s performance cemented his name among other RGV greats to win gold at the Meet of Champions, he hopes the victory is precisely the catapult he needs as championship season approaches.
“I wanted to come in here and make sure I made a name for myself in the Valley,” Romo said. “I’m trying to put my name up there with the Rey Ramirez’s and Jose Garcia’s of the RGV. I’m trying to get there and leave a legacy behind for the future kids to show them that anybody from the Valley can do great things.”
Romo isn’t the only RGV sprinter making waves this season. Harlingen High junior Faith Franklin has been among the fastest not only in the state, but in the nation.
Her season-best marks in the 200- and 400-meter runs rank among the top 25 in the United States this year, according to Athletic.net. Franklin’s personal best time of 53.65 in the 400-meter dash ranks No. 2 in the nation, with her time of 24.23 in the 200-meter dash ranks No. 18.
She continued her dominance during this weekend’s Meet of Champions, claiming golds in the 100-and 200-meter dash. Her time of 12.05 in the 100-meter dash prelims moved her to No. 1 in Region IV-6A this season.
McAllen Memorial’s Ayden Granados joined Franklin and Romo in earning two golds, coming in first during the 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs.
Granados opened his night in record-setting fashion, taking down former PSJA Memorial distance runner Cruz Gomez’s Meet of Champs record during the 3,200-meter run.
The Oklahoma State commit clocked in at a personal best 9 minutes, 11.09 seconds, over four seconds faster than Gomez’s time of 9:14.20 during the 2019 meet.
McAllen High’s Zachary Hernandez and Sharyland Pioneer’s Alexandra Moya both secured personal bests in the 400-meter dash to take home the gold in the boys and girls divisions, respectively.
Hernandez finished in 48.59 seconds, a new Meet of Champions record. Moya, a freshman, clocked in at 57.25 seconds, one second faster than her previous personal best set on Feb. 24.
In the girls 100-meter hurdles, the Valley’s top two hurdler went neck and neck for the gold, with McAllen High’s Dariana Luna edging McAllen Memorial’s Alicia Ziegler by .09 seconds for first. Luna’s victory marked the first time Ziegler hasn’t won the event this year.
The boys 110-meter hurdles were equally exciting, with La Joya Palmview senior Michael Hernandez holding off PSJA Memorial’s Hector Suarez for the gold. Hernandez finished in 14.79 seconds, with Suarez coming in second with a time of 14.80.
For full results from the 46th annual Meet of Champions, click here.
