HARLINGEN — For two local track and field athletes, Tuesday was a day they will remember for a very long time.
Both Nicole Gonzalez and Mikaela Flores of Harlingen South signed their letters of intent, committing their future athletic endeavors to two respectable universities.
Gonzalez, one of the Valley’s most prolific sprinters this year, signed to run track at TexasA&M University-Kingsville.
Despite having other offers on the table, Gonzalez felt TAMUK was the right fit for her.
“I had other D-I and D-II offers, but the University of Texas A&M-Kingsville was able to work with the events I wanted to run and offered me the most, and it’s also somewhere I see myself being the most successful,” she said.
This year Gonzalez was on top of the Valley’s Best rankings in the 100-, 200- and 400-meter dash, setting school records in both the 100 and 200.
To add to Gonzalez’ accolades, the senior captured the District 32-6A championship in all three events, along with the 4×100-meter relay.
Unfortunately for Gonzalez, the injury bug snuck up at the most inopportune time and forced Gonzalez to sit out the regional meet this year.
“Niclole was the rock of the team and a four-year letterman, and when she got on the track everyone knew who she was,” said South track coach Ralph De La Rosa. “When you’re a coach and you have an athlete like that, it helps the younger athletes know how to be and how to work.
“She’s a positive role model not only on the track, but in the classroom as well. She’s a very well-rounded student.”
Meanwhile, Flores’ destination takes her a bit further away from home as she’ll head to the University of the Southwest in Hobbs, New Mexico.
Flores, a multi-sport athlete, was recognized for her pole vaulting abilities and decided to take her athletic talents to USW.
“I feel really good that I was able to continue on the next level,” said Flores. “I really liked how they (USW) told me that I would be able to graduate in four years with a master’s degree and they tried to push that for me.
“Also, they have a really good (track) program and it’s going to become a big program pretty soon, and I wanted to be part of it.”
This season, Flores finished in the top three all season and peaked at the perfect time to take first place at both the District 32-6A and area meets.
“What’s really neat about Mikaela is that she kind of got into pole vaulting more last year and then all of a sudden she started blossoming as a vaulter this year,” said De La Rosa. “Coach Robert Euvino has done a great job working with our vaulters and Mikaela, and I think this year she put all her technique with her ability.
“She was able to put it all together in her head and then physically go out and do it.”
Flores will focus her studies on kinesiology.
