After years of dealing with injuries, Harlingen South sprinter Nicole Gonzalez used her senior campaign to finally show what she could do.
She definitely didn’t disappoint as she was arguably the best female sprinter in the Rio Grande Valley in 2016
Gonzalez spent the year atop the Valley’s Best rankings in the 100-, 200- and 400-meter dash.
Aside from finishing third in the Valley in the 400, her times in the 100 and 200 would not be matched and were both school records.
Gonzalez captured the District 32-6A championship in all three events as well as the 4×100-meter relay team.
Heading into Region IV-6A track meet, Gonzalez was the only athlete in the region who qualified in the 100, 200 and 400.
Unfortunately, another minor injury kept Gonzalez out of the regional meet.
Still, her 2016 campaign was one to remember and for that she is a finalist up for the Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year award, which will be presented at the 2016 All-Valley Sports Award Banquet on June 14 in McAllen.
Q: How does it feel to be nominated for this award?
A: It is such a distinct honor to be a nominee for this award. It is a wonderful feeling to know that all of my hard work has paid off. I am incredibly blessed to have this opportunity among other amazing and talented Rio Grade Valley athletes, especially due to how this is such a competitive and prestigious award.
Q: If you won the award, what would that mean to you personally?
A: Personally, this award would mean the world to me and more. Throughout my life, I have had to face so many obstacles injury wise. First off, I would definitely have to thank God for blessing me with the success I was able to have all season. I would also owe a huge thanks to my family and supporters for always believing in me and encouraging me along the way. For someone like myself to win this award would be such a breakthrough and a truly heartwarming feeling knowing that everything I have worked for meant something in the end.
Full story at RGVSports.com
