St Dominic Savio relay competes at the 2021 TAPPS State Track and Field Championships
Photo Credit: Stuart Kantor
The TAPPS State Track and Field Championships are this weekend in Waco, Texas at Midway Panther Stadium. Individual and team championships are on the line.
Here are some of the individuals to keep an eye out on.
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Garrett Kaalund - Antonian College Prep - Kaalund is nothing but walking bottle of speed. He won the South Region in the 200m and 400m last weekend. 21.20 and 48.36 were the times, but he is fully expected to easily run faster this weekend.
Mercy Freeman - Tomball Rosehill Christian - As a freshman last year, she competed in five individual events at the TAPPS 3A. She won the long jump and was runner-up in the triple jump and the 200m.
Faith Murphy - Marble Falls Faith Academy - Murphy is a versatile athlete who leads the TAPPS 2A rankings in the 200m, 400m, 800m, and the 1,600m. The freshman can potentially win each event.
Aliyah Johnson - Fort Worth Southwest Christian - Johnson could be a workhorse this weekend by competing in four to five events The 100m and 200m along with the long and triple jumps will not only be important for her, but also the team's championship hopes in 5A.
Autumn Wilson - St Dominic Savio - Autumn Wilson is having a dream senior season. The next step in what could continue reach well in to July is this weekend. Wilson will want to cement her TAPPS career with two more individual championships. She is the overwhelming favorite in the 6A 100m and 200m.
Todd Worth - Antonian College Prep - The youngster from Antonian will be entangled in two tough races. His 800m specialty should be a momentum starter for the 1,600m that will be his biggest challenge.
Kaleigh Frazier - Tomball Rosehill Christian - Frazier was the 2021 300 meter hurdle champion and her goal is to repeat that, two relay wins (4x100 relay and 4x200 relay) and the 3A team championship.
Ryley Klefstad - Tomball Concordia Lutheran - Klefstad is one of only three boys in the state to have jumped over 17 feet this season. He is about as sure of a thing in Waco as there can get. Don't think he still won't be bringing his A game this weekend. He could eclipse his 17-2.25 PR.
Leah Klenke - Houston St. Agnes - A big part of St. Agnes' 2021 state championship, Klenke won the 800m, 1,600m, and the 3,200m. After a triple crown and a TAPPS state record, how much of an effect will she leave on this year's state meet is the question.
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Nicholas Rodriguez - Victoria St. Joseph - Rodriguez has finished third, then second at his two TAPPS state meets. In this, his last, this could be his chance to finally finish first.
Hali Murphy - St. Dominic Savio - The defending 400m champion has endured an injury hampered season. She has made her way back to where she has the chance to win another TAPPS state title in her premiere event. She ran 56.57 last weekend at the South Region.
Nathan Morales - San Antonio Central Catholic - Should pace a strong group of Central Catholic boys in the 3,200m where he should come away victorious. The 1,600m will be a challenge for him and everyone involved.
Micaela Villarreal - Antonian College Prep - Villarreal is a talented freshman who should contend for 1,600m and 3,200m state titles. She ran 5:21 and 11:21 last week. Look for her to ramp things up a couple notches for the state meet.
Allie Scott - Houston St. Agnes - The defending champion in both hurdles will have her work cut out for her if she wants to win again this year. Her South Region wins last weekend could be a sign of what we may see from her this weekend.
Faith Mitchell - Houston St. Agnes - Mitchell has been on fire all season long. The shot put is her best event and her 46-7 last weekend really sets the tone for this weekend. She should bring a guaranteed 20 points to the team title push.
Ethan Sanders - San Antonio Christian - Ther say there is no such thing as a sure thing. Well, that just isn't true. Sanders is just about as sure as it gets.
McCarly Holloman - Midland Christian - Holloman will make the 800m very interesting. She has run under 2:20 nearly all year long. She won state back in 2019 as a freshman and could add her second on her way out of high school.
Bayleigh Minor - Fort Bend Christian - Minor could be very major this weekend. She won the South Region 200m in 24.40 and the 400m in 58.20. However, this young lady has Raevyn Rogers/Athing Mu like ability and this could be her coming out party in TAPPS.
Marcelo Parra and Franco Parra - San Antonio TMI - Someone had to assume the lead distance runner in TAPPS 5A when Ben Shearer graduated and the Parra twins are interviewing for the position this weekend. It's likely one of them wins both the 1,600m and 3,200m