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There were tons of fast runs, high and far vaults/jumps, and far throws over UIL championship rounds. However, there were some that weren't at the top that you're not looking at or some you didn't have on your radar that you probably should moving forward.
We have some girls and boys who you will want to keep an eye on this upcoming weekend and possibly beyond if they do what we think they can.
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Andrew Powdrell (The Woodlands College Park) - Powdrell ran 10.48 and 21.39 at the UIL District 13-6A for wins in both events. He'll head into the UIL Districts 13-14 6A Area Championships as the favorite and another step closer to a Region 2-6A battle in the sprint events.
Prentice Sanders (Prosper) - Lauren Lewis isn't the only excellent quartermiler at Prosper. Sanders is the top junior class runner this year after his 47.79 run at the UIL 6A District 05 Championships. He's improved from last year's 49.65 PR and dropped a second in each meet the two times out.
Elizabeth Brooks (Katy) - The fabulous freshman middle distance runner is having a strong first high school season. Last week, she ran 56.30 and 2:12.30 for runner-ups in both. Despite being second in the district, she is one of the top Region 3-6A performers in both events. Look for her to learn through the rest of the rounds and have a sharper understanding by the regional finals.
Xzamion Parker (The Woodlands College Park) - Even though Connor Washington recently ruled the state in the 100m - 400m distances, but you usually think of distance running when you think of College Park. With Powdrell having a great season and adding Parker into the mix, you can expect the Cavalier sprinters to aspire to get to Austin. Parker was runner-up in the 100m and 200m with his 10.49 and 21.46 this week.
Phoenix Phillips (Summer Creek) - It's difficult to categorize a 43.16 second 300 meter hurdler and an AAU All-American as a sleeper. However, since she is just a freshman and with only a few runs over the hurdles this year and with several 42 girls in the state we'll put the Summer Creek pup in this. However, she will wake you up real quick with her ability; she can run the flat 400m very well and she has been consistent in her hurdles. This is a freshman who could be region champ and pushing for a medal at the state meet this year.
Yazmin Guerra (PSJA Southwest) - Running in the Valley is at a high level right now and just when you think you know which runners to lookout for, don't overlook Guerra. She will challenge for a state meet qualifying position at the Region 4-5A championships and with the regional/state champ out of the equation, the Pharr sophomore could inject herself. She ran 5:09.58 and 11:02.31 to win the UIL 5A District 31 Championship races.
Hailey Johnson (Montgomery Lake Creek) - Lake Creek had a great season with school records and fast distance relays. Johnson was one of the reasons and she looks to be carrying the mantle individually. She ran 2:13.31 to win the DISTRICT MEET 21-5A and will be a tough competitor at Region 3-5A.
Jude Alvarez (Southlake Carroll) - The Carroll junior already marched through both district and area rounds efficiently and effectively. Alvarez showed us last month at the Texas Distance Festival that he had morphed into an aggressive runner on the track. He was a leader in the 1600m and ran a 4:14 PR and then returned less than 40 min later to help press the pace in the 5K an ran a 14:52. He won the district in the 1600m and was second at the area meet and won both races in the 3200m. With two weeks to prepare for Arlington, Region 1-6A needs to be on the lookout when Alvarez walks through the gate.
Abree Winfrey (Canyon) - Winfrey won the 4-4A District Track & Field Championships 300 meter hurdles in 46.02. That's not elite, but keep eyes on her as she is the 2022 UIL 4A state champ runner-up. She ran 44.10 last year after winning the 800m and then won the NIke Outdoor Nationals in the 400 meter hurdles.
Caden Gary (Lucas Lovejoy) - The lovejoy sophomore is taking the right steps at the right time of the year. He has PRs in the distance events (1:59.98, 4:19.57, and 9:33.59) all within the last couple of weeks. He won the UIL 5A - District 13 dropping nearly 5 seconds.
Taylor Collins (Allen) Collins recently ran his first 300 meter hurdle race and wen 40.65. Now he ran 38.90 in the UIL 6A District 05 Championships prelims followed up by a 37.79 in the finals for the win. With Collins dropping significant time with each race, look for him to dazzle us the rest of the season.
Evan Jackson (Galena Park North Shore) - North Shore has turned out a long list of outstanding jumpers in the past and Jackson is rounding into the possible big thing for the Mustangs. He had three personal best performances in all three jumping events at the 21-6A DISTRICT MEET for wins. He long jumped a foot improvement with a 23-5, improved two feet with a 46-10.25 and then added four inches with a 6-10 high jump. If he stays around 6-10 or goes over 7-0 he could challenge national leader Jace Posey for the Region 3-6A title.
Miles Jones (Mansfield Lake Ridge) - The senior was figured to be in contention for the long jump state title, but he didn't have one of the qualifying spots out of District 11-6A. However, he did have the top qualifying spot in the 100m (10.18, +4.0) and 200m (21.03, +3.1). Those are the top two performances out of the district championships and perhaps in the toughest district sprint wise based on the times.