Indya Mayberry (L) and De'Kayla Simpson run to UIL 6A state titles
UIL Track and Field State Championships
UIL 6A Girls 100m
The UIL 6A Girls 100m was expected to be a thrilling race
with four returners from 2023 including the defending State champion, Celeste Robinson of Cypress Ranch, and last year's bronze medalist, Hannah Lowe of
Sachse.
Robinson and Lowe both ran well but they could not match the
pure speed and acceleration exhibited this day from North Crowley's Indya Mayberry. A new UIL 6A
State meet record was set by Mayberry crossing the line in 11.21 despite running into a wind of -1.3 m/s.
The old record was held by Olympian Marshevet Hooker of San Antonio Southwest
from 2002.
Last year's state champ Robinson overcame a late reaction as she stll showed her top end speed to grab the bronze medal in 11.46 Robinson edged out
Lowe, last year's bronze medalist for this year's final medal.
Katy's London Jackson Bray entered the meet with the
overall fastest time and came through in second place with a time of 11.40.
- - -
UIL 6A Girls 400m
Harlingen's Faith Franklin was the top seed heading into the
meet, but an injury prevented her from competing which meant that there were no
returners from the 2023 finals and left this year's UIL 6A Girls 400m up for
grabs.
Duncanville's De'Kayla Simpson took advantage of the
opportunity individually and team wise. She was the first runner to the 200m mark and then she held her
lead down the home stretch despite getting challenged by Skyler Brazzell of
Northwest Nelson and Madisyn Jackson of Summer Creek.
Simpson got took the win in a new 53.64 personal best.
Brazzell finished in second place with another fast time of 53.84 after
entering the race with her top time on the season. Jackson joined Simpson in
running big season bests to grab the bronze medal in 53.96.
- - -
UIL 6A Girls 200m
North Crowley's Indya Mayberry completed an impressive
double by taking gold in the 100m and 200m at the UIL 6A Girls State meet.
At the start of the 200m it was Arlington Bowie's Bailey Johnson setting the pace. The junior entered the meet with a season best of
23.41 and it appeared she would snag a gold medal before Mayberry found another gear in the final 50m passing up Johnson with about 30m remaining to win in 22.82.
Mayberry's time set another UIL State meet record for all classifications breaking the former record of 22.84 set by Killeen's Tiffany Townsend in 2007.
Johnson took home the silver medal after her impressive race and posted a time of 23.06. Celeste Robinson of Cypress Ranch picked up her second gold medal in the sprints with her time of 23.14 as she nearly caught Johnson for second place. 
