Pearland John Morris III Inv. Boys 4x800 relay
Courtesy: Roderick Pernetter
So far, it's been cold, rainy, and windy for the start of the 2022 outdoor track and field season. That's to be expected for February in Texas. With the outdoor season starting earlier and earlier, it's a blessing the weather conditions are far better than they were this time last year.
The weather hasn't been able to stop Texas athletes in the field and on the track. There have still been some impressive running, jumping, vaulting, and throwing in the first two weeks of the season.
Here are some boys teams who put on good shows over the weekend across the state. These teams not only ran a good relay or two or had a couple of good individuals. They are teams who despite going up against the elements from mother nature still made enough of an impression to get our attention.
It's Tuesday, so a couple of times this season, we will reserve this day of the week to highlight teams who just won't let us not look away from them.
Fort Bend Ridge Point Boys
Fort Bend Ridge Point won six out of 15 events at the Pearland John Morris III Inv and had a second and third place finish in two more.
Not only did they get wins, but they turned in some of the state's top performances in the early goings of the season.
The Ridge Point relays accounted for half of the team's wins by crossing the finish line first in the 4x800 relay (8:14.58), 4x100 relay (41.89), 4x200 relay (1:26.10). Adding impressive performances in the SMR (3:40.25) and 4x400 (3:22.06), those are all top four rankings in the state.
Individually, the Panthers got hurdle event wins from Mason Dossett (110H - 14.86) and Ethan Ellis (300H - 39.13) with Dossett adding a third place finish in the 300H with his 40.61. Parker Brannon got the day started for Ridge Point with his 15 foot win in the pole vault.
The Woodlands Boys
The Highlanders are usually one of the most complete teams boys track and field teams in the state. After one weekend of racing in the early part of the season, it looks like they are ready for the 2022 outdoor track and field season. At the Oak Ridge Inv., they showed that versatility.
Sophomore Perry Watkins finished third in the 100m at 10.96 and Ethan King, and Marcos Sanchez both ran 22 mids in the 200m to show off the team's sprint crew.
One of the usual strengths of the team are the middle distance and distance crews. That was on display this weekend. After graduating last year's state champion in the 800m (Joshua English) and not running 2021 800m state qualifier Kyle Easton, the team still got sub 2:00 performances from James Edmond (1:58.28) and Pablo Lesarri (1:59.41).
The Highlander milers then ran 1, 2, 3 in the 1,600m when Ben Reyes (4:34.68), Emilio Valencia (4:35.68), and Straton Miller (4:36.61) and Eugenio Ceballo dropped a 40.83 in the 300 meter hurdles.
In the relays, they went 42.83 in the 4x100 relay, 1:33.96 in the 4x200 relay, and 3:31.63 in the 4x400 relay.
That's a good start to the season for the Highlanders, and that's without the field events, where they are historically strong.
Katy Cinco Ranch Boys
The Woodlands boys weren't the only team who had a had a good meet at Spring on Saturday as the Cinco Ranch boys were also impressive.
Cinco won four relays on Saturday. Taking the 4x200 relay in 1:33.34, the SMR in 3:36.18, the DMR in 10:38.63, and then capping things off with the 4x400 relay in 3:28.38 showed how good the Cougars are and will be this season.
What also can't be overlooked is the 2:00.29 sophomore Ryan Du Plessis turned in in the boy's 800m.
Duncanville Boys
The Houston area isn't the only part of the state that had more than a few impressive performances from one team.
In South Dallas, the Duncanville hosted the Champions Relays and the Panthers displayed their strength. Not only were they big time in the sprint events, but they also ran well in the 4x800 relay as well.
With a winning time of 41.15 in the 4x100 relay, Duncanville set the pace early for the rest of the state and the rest of the season. They added a 1:28.08 win in the 4x200 relay and were second in the 4x400 relay with a solid 3:20.25.
They ended the weekend with two more wins with their 3:44.65 in the SMR and 8:16.69 in the 4x800 relay.
Pearland John Morris III Inv. Boys 4x800 relay
Courtesy: Roderick Pernetter