LA FERIA — Another year means another trip to state for La Feria’s Tina Sierra and girls track & field head coach Gracie Campos.
The senior is prepared to run the final races of her high school career before transitioning into the collegiate ranks.
However, Sierra will not be alone at state this weekend. Unlike last season when she was the only Lionette to qualify for a trip to Austin, this year Sierra will be accompanied by freshman DarianaVasquez, who placed second in the 3200-meter run at the regional meet behind Sierra with a time of 12:01.62.
Coach Campos sees this weekend as a changing of the guard of sorts between the senior Sierra and the freshman Vasquez.
“I have seen Tina grow into the positive role model she is today for all our younger kids and she motivates by example,” said Campos. “Tina comes in, works hard and never questions anything because she is very respectful. She has been running for us since she was in seventh grade and has always been a leader in that sense.
“Tina’s responsible, dedicated, committed and has the passion to be the best.”
This year, Sierra has been among the top distance runners in the Rio GrandeValley and is ranked No. 4 in the 800-meter run, No. 3 in the 1600 and No. 6 in the 3200 in the Valley’s Best mythical standings.
At last season’s state meet, the senior finished in fourth place in the 3200 with a time of 11:29.53.
This time around, Sierra is set to compete in three different events. She begins by running the 3200-meter on Friday morning at 8:40 before waiting until Saturday to run the 800 at 6:20 p.m. and the 1600 at 8:45 p.m.
Vasquez will run with Sierra in the 3200 and, as Campos explained, people shouldn’t be fooled by Vasquez’s youth because she has the passion to go far.
“Dariana is a humble, respectful and hard working young lady,” said Campos. “In my opinion, she seems to admire Tina because Tina leads by example.
“Dariana has that fire in her when she steps up to the line. She looks humble and very quiet, but when she steps up to that line she has the fire in her and she runs with a lot of courage and a lot of dedication and passion. She is a competitor and it’s obvious because she has already advanced to state in cross country and in track.”
