UIL track & field athletes will be competing today and Saturday throughout Texas.
There will be plenty of athletes to keep an eye on from the East Valley. Class 6A and 5A schools are set to compete at Heroes Stadium in San Antonio.
Harlingen High’s boys track & field team won the area meet. Rene Renteria, Dominick Luna, Geovany Cisneros and Chris Rodriguez took gold individually on the track. The 400- and 1,600-meter relay teams also took first in their races, and Nathan Huerta will be throwing for the Cards.
Harlingen South’s Julian Hill is the area champion in the shot put and the discuss. Hill competed earlier in the season at Austin against the best throwers in Texas.
Los Fresnos’ Kaies Affognon finished second in the high jump at area, clearing 6 feet, 2 inches. San Benito’s Jarrid Lopez qualified in the 100 and anchors the 400 relay team with Homer Quiroz, Fabian Garcia and Michael Benavides.
Harlingen High’s Faith Franklin won the 100 and 200 at the girls area meet. Jazmine Thompson won the shot put and discus, and Lady Cards pole vaulter Emma Reyes won area by a foot.
Brownsville Rivera’s Samara Rodriguez finished second in the 100 and 200 at area for her spot at the regional meet. Brownsville Hanna’s Aliyah Castillo will compete in the 400. Harlingen South’s sprint relay teams qualified for the meet.
San Benito’s Deandra Ibarra qualified for the 1,600 and 3,200. San Benito’s 1,600 relay team of Evelyn Galvan, Karyme Garza, Yazmin Bernabe and Madelyne Cardenas has been in tight races during the postseason, missing out on gold by .22 seconds at area.
In Class 5A, Brownsville Veterans Memorial’s Naia Gracia qualified in the 800 and 1,600. Genesis Augustus of Brownsville Pace will compete in the 100 hurdles.
Brownsville Lopez’s Chantal Pena qualified in the shot put, Keyla Olguin did so in the discus and Kassandra Aguirre won the long jump at area.
Brownsville Porter’s Chris Ortiz will be competing in the 400, and Brownsville Pace’s Nathan Herrera will compete in the 110 hurdles and Kevin Garcia qualified for the discus. Brownsville Veterans’ Emiliano Martinez-Lopez competes in the pole vault, and Gerry Gomez of Brownsville Veterans will compete after winning the triple jump at area.
The Class 4A meet will be held in Kingsville.
The La Feria girls won the area meet. Long-distance runner Liana Navarro was first in the 1,600 and 3,200. Joining Navarro at the regional meet is Mia Trevino, Kaya Dickerson, Kiera Castillo, Ashley Reath and Angelina Rodriguez as well as the 400 relay, 800 relay and 1,600 relay teams.
Port Isabel’s Madison Ramos, the area high jump winner, will look to return to the state meet, where she finished third last year.
La Feria’s Evan Torres is the 1,600 and 3,200 winner and will be joined by teammates Isiah Longoria, Joshua Marquez and Joaquin Trevino.
Raymondville’s Bryen Robles, who won the 400 at area, is going to the regional meet with Christian Gonzalez and the 1,600 relay team. Port Isabel’s Daniel Zamarron and David Hernandez also will be competing at the meet.
The Class 3A meet will be held in Seguin.
Brownsville IDEA Frontier’s Ashley Olvera, the high jump winner at area, expects to be in contention for a medal. The junior is hovering around the top spots.
Santa Rosa and Lyford will be sending a solid number of athletes to the meet. Lyford’s 400 relay team hopes to be one to watch as it eyes state.
San Perlita will be competing in League City. Ely Terry and Max Graciani will be competing in field events. Terry was the high jump winner at area, clearing 6-0.
