MISSION — A pair of city rivals will join forces at the next level, both committing to run track and field at Texas A&M Kingsville next fall.
Sharyland High’s Lisandro Lopez and Sharyland Pioneer’s Sophie Ponce De Leon both signed their National Letters of Intent to compete for the Javelinas on Tuesday at their respective high schools.
Lopez, a three-year letterwinner with the Rattlers, joins the Javelinas men’s track and field team as a hurdler. Ponce De Leon, a four-year letterwinner with the Diamondbacks, joins the women’s track and field team as a runner.
Texas A&M Kingsville is an NCAA Division II program that competes in the Lone Star Conference.
Lopez is coming off his second straight regional championship appearance, qualifying for the Region IV-5A meet in both the 110- and 300-meter hurdles.
The reigning District 31-5A champion fell just short of a state meet appearance last season, finishing third in both events.
Ponce De Leon has competed in several running events for the Diamondbacks, including multiple relay teams. The senior runner specializes in the 400-meter dash, however, ranking seventh in Region IV-5A this season.
During this past weekend’s RGVCA Meet of Champions, Ponce De Leon finished fourth in the 400-meter run, recording a time of 59.85 seconds. The mark was .48 seconds slower than her personal-best time of 59.37 set earlier this year.
Lopez is set to continue his senior season Friday at the Rey Ramirez Invitational in Rio Grande City. Ponce De Leon is scheduled to run at Raymondville’s 16th annual Albert Tijerina Relays. The meet marks the last of the year before the District 31-5A championships April 11.
