4x100 Relay
Once the gun went off, things in the 2A Boys division got off to a quick start to set the tone for the remainder of the meet.
Marlin came into the meet with the fastest qualifying time with a 42.57. They got out to the best start, handing off to their third leg with the lead. Timpson, the 2021 400-meter relay champions, took over the lead in the final handoff but couldn't hang on to the lead.
Refugio kept themselves in the mix throughout the race but their anchor, Ernest Campbell, made up a lot of ground to give them the victory with a time of 41.93. Marlin edged out Timpson for the silver medal with a time of 42.14. Timpson hung on to the third and final podium spot with a time 42.14
- - -
4x200 Relay
Refugio finished seventh at last year's state meet in the 4x200 meter relay. This year they had hopes of a much better finish to their year.
They entered the meet with the fastest seed time from regionals of 1:28.14, which was nearly three seconds faster than last year at state. Who could blame them for having confidence after their anchor leg Earnest Campbell's dominating 4x100 meter finish and his open 100m victory.
At the first exchange it was Refugio and Panhandle who were running neck and neck. Refugio and Marlin had a great second exchange. Marlin made their presence known on that leg to compete for the title. Marlin and Refugio battled it out after the last exchange.
Refugio then pulled away to clinch the gold medal with a time of 1:28.09 and set a new conference 2A record. Timpson edged out Marlin at the finish line to capture 2nd with Marlin had to settle for the bronze. Timpson finished with a time of 1:28.88, while Marlin finished with a time of 1:28.93.
- - -
4x400 Relay
Centerville had the fastest regional performance of 3:22.71 and after a razor thin runner-up finish last year, they probably wanted to leave no doubt this year. However, they were expected to be pushed by Crawford and Beckville
Beckville started things out with the lead at the first exchange. Panhandle joined the mix and overtook the lead during the seconds exchange. With nearly a 10 meter lead, Panhandle was looking comfortable. However, Centerville and Refugio weren't letting them pull away just yet.
Centerville overtook the lead by a small margin during the third leg but couldn't get comfortable as Refugio followed right behind. Panhandle had fallen back to sixth place. Beckville was even a contender during the final lap.
With a 48.05 split by anchor Kasen Jeitz, Centerville bounced back to crown themselves the state champions with a time of 3:20.24. Refugio held on to the second spot with a time of 3:21.09. Beckville crossed the line to claim the bronze with a time of 3:22.66.
The Centerville anchor pulls away from the rest of the boys 4x400 relay field
Photo Credit: Chance Kirby - MileSplit TX
