Photo of Alaina Fugate
The Area meet is always the week that coaches just want their athletes to get through to the Regional meet. The UIL track and field championship system is a grueling affair for the athletes with four rounds of competitions and the teams are now halfway through those meets with the two biggest ones still to come.
The Best Thing I Saw
I was not there to witness John Williams III (Cibolo Steele) this week, but he had the best result of the week. He broke a 6-year old San Antonio city record (Rashod Owens, Roosevelt) in the triple jump with his winning leap of 49-11.75 at the 6A Area 29/30 meet at Canyon High School. It was the third time he has eclipsed 49-feet and he is currently ranked #1 in the State at the UIL 6A level.
Top Teams
The San Antonio area has top-level teams in nearly every UIL classification. At the 2A level, the Falls City girls should be one of the favorites for the Region crown with Keandra Johnson leading the way after winning the 100m (12.49) and long jump (17-0.25). Their three relay teams should accumulate many points since they are ranked in the top three in the Region in each.
The Randolph girls lead the way at the 3A level. They will be heavy favorites since they have won three consecutive State titles. They are led by Texas A&M signees Taylor Nunez and Sophia Bendet. In addition, Aubrey Milam ranks as one of the top 1600m and 3200m runners in the division. Poth also has a strong team, but it will be hard for them to stay up with Randolph. Randolph and Lytle are the top two 3A boys teams in the area. Randolph has a chance to send all three of their relay teams to State while Lytle is loaded in the distance events.
Fredericksburg and Canyon Lake have the top two 4A girls teams in the area. The Billies figure to score points in the throws, distance races and relays. Canyon Lake boasts Ayren Lightfoot, Aubrey Avey and Hannah Hammer and all three will likely be favored as Region champions in their events. Bandera also has a strong team led by Kinlee Lawlis and a couple of outstanding relay teams. The Wimberley boys should be among the medal contenders with three relay teams ranked in the top three in the Region. Nolan Waida will also be a medal contender in three events.
The Smithson Valley girls are one of the favorites for the 5A Region title thanks to a well-balanced team. They have two strong relay teams and they should score big points in the distance events. Pieper has a deep group of sprinters and are strong in the 4x100m and 4x200m relays and Seguin is led by Daisha Shular and Leah Brown who could each potentially qualify for the State meet in multiple events. Boerne Champion is likely the top boys team in the area, but Alamo Heights and Pieper should also figure in the mix.
At the 6A level, the Reagan girls have been the dominant team over the last half-decade. They have another good team, but it will likely be a new Region champion this year with strong teams from Judson and Brennan vying to take the crown. Judson is led by Darinasia Taylor and Jenesis Cordero as well as some strong relay teams. Caila Lyons and Kailyn Brunson give Brennan a great 1-2 punch on the track and their 4x400m relay team should compete with Judson for the Region title.
The 6A boys title race should be a great one with excellent teams like Brennan, Johnson and Steele at the top. Brennan and Johnson tied for the Area title last week while Steele won their Area title. All three have strong teams, but the one advantage that Johnson has is that they have the top 4x400m team heading into the Region meet and neither Brennan or Steele have a 4x400m team in the meet.
School Records
In this section, I want to highlight the new school records that were set during the week. I need coaches to please let me know when you have a new record set. Either email me at shanemeling@gmail.com or message at me @ShaneMeling on X (Twitter).
John Williams III, Steele, Triple Jump, 49-11.75
Luke Nichols, Clemens, Pole Vault, 15-9
Kaitlyn Rackley, Marion, Pole Vault, 12-6
Payton DeFelippis, Medina Valley, 800m, 1:55.94
Pieper Girls, 4x100m Relay, 47.17 (Hailey Tomlinson, Taniyah Adams, Mishaila Briggs, Shyla Boydstun)
Grayson Stewart, Pieper, 110mh, 15.11
Pieper Girls, 4x200m Relay, 1:40.86 (Hailey Tomlinson, Caroline Peterson, Taniyah Adams, Mishaila Briggs)
Jamarri Bowie, Boerne Champion, 400m, 48.16
Kennedy Weaver, Davenport, Pole Vault, 10-9
Justin McKinney, Davenport, High Jump, 6-6
Christian Dupree, Clemens, High Jump, 6-10
Maggie Luna, Marion, 400m, 59.33
Michelle Hinds, Marshall, 400m, 58.04
Nicholas Maldonado, Madison, 1600m, 4:21.36
Prisca Igbo, Boerne, 100mh, 14.82
Brennan Boys, 4x100m Relay, 41.27 (Devin Gills, Aaron Turner, Micai Thompson, Clifton McBride)
Donnell Williams, Steele, Long Jump, 23-2.5
Johnson Boys, 4x400m Relay, 3:17.17 (Yashiyah Griffin, Samuel Draper, Abdou Ndiaye, Austin Anderson)
Rayshun Hurt, Reagan, 100m, 10.47
Adyson England, Sotomayor, Discus, 105-5
Isaiah Farris, Stevens, Triple Jump, 46-0.75
Wimberley Boys, 4x200m Relay, 1:26.48 (Ethan Talley, Dane Dugger, Bryson Anderson, Nolan Waida)
Sotomayor Girls, 4x100m Relay, 48.32 (Saqqara Price, Kaelony King, Izabelle Chukwudolue, Jaden Echols)
Sotomayor Girls, 4x200m Relay, 1:41.75 (Moshante' Mayfield, Saqqara Price, Jaden Echols, Kaelony King)
Max Bacon, Alamo Heights, 300mh, 37.97
Alamo Heights Boys, 4x100m Relay, 41.79 (Blake Bader, Max Bacon, Coltrane Kennon, Patrick Arriaga)
Around the City
In the 25/26-3A Area meet, Aiden Reed and Larson Dziuk each threw well for Poth. Reed won the discus with a throw of 165-8 and the shot put with a toss of 57-10.5 while Dziuk was second in the discus with a mark of 163-8. Brooklyn Albert of Poth won all three distance events for the girls in time of 2:24.11 (800m), 5:26.25 (1600m) and 11:52.80 (3200m). Poth's Adisen Magill finished in the top three in the triple jump (35-10), 100mh (15.51) and 300mh (47.53). Stockdale's Peyton Keller cleared 5-4 to win the high jump and was third in the 300mh.
The Area 27/28-3A championship was held in Seguin and both Randolph teams took home titles. The boys were led by Kevin Harris who won the 100m (11.01) and long jump (21-9.75) and their winning 4x100m relay (42.82) and 4x400m relay (3:26.33) teams. Aiden Martinez of Great Hearts Monte Vista was amazing as he won the 110mh in 13.97 and the 300mh in 38.55. Diego Reyna and Johnny Rey Alvarez swept the top two spots in the 1600m and 3200m for Lytle.
The Randolph girls literally ran away with the title thanks to their Big Three of Sophia Bendet, Aubrey Milam and Taylor Nunez as they combined for six individual victories. Their 4x100m (49.19) and 4x400m (3:59.29) relay teams also took home titles. Marion's Kaitlyn Rackley has been vaulting great this season and she won the pole vault with a height of 12-6. Her teammate, Maggie Luna, took the gold in the 400m with a strong time of 59.33.
Wimberley hosted the Area 25/26-4A meet and their boys had a great meet winning the 4x200m in 1:26.48 and the 4x400m in 3:18.09. Nolan Waida qualified for Regionals in three individual events; long jump, triple jump and 200m. Eli Bliss led Davenport's distance crew that went 1-2-3 in the 3200m winning in 10:13.50 and then he backed it up by winning the 1600m in 4:33.92. Justin McKinney cleared 6-6 to win the high jump for Davenport and Fredericksburg's George Stenberg sprinted to a win in the 100m (10.68).
The Fredericksburg girls won 25/26-4A behind a nice double sweep by Reese Sagebiel and Madison Wright in the shot put and discus. Rilyn Grona of Fredericksburg won the 800m in 2:20.00 to nip Davenport's Kendall Fallon (2:20.04) and Navarro's Madison Gilliam (2:20.51). Bandera's Kinlee Lawlis won the long jump (17-9) and 200m (24.84) and was second in the 100m (11.94) while anchoring the winning 4x200m relay team that ran 1:41.22. Aubrey Avey of Canyon Lake continued her strong performance in the 300mh winning in 43.98.
Floresville hosted the 27/28-4A meet where their freshman distance runner, Kaden Cypert, won the 1600m in 4:28.51 and the 3200m in 9:56.32. Devere Willis of Uvalde took gold in the 100m (11.04) and long jump (22-2) while Devine's Donovan Dixon took top prize in the 400m (51.22) and 800m (2:00.37). Meanwhile, Arianna Rivera of Carrizo Springs won the girls 1600m (5:31.56) and 3200m (11:46.53). Devine's Kylie Monreal won both hurdle events, took second in the high jump (5-2) and was third in the long jump (18-0.5). Her teammate, Rylie Wells, won the triple jump with a mark of 35-11.5 and was second in the long jump (18-1.5).
The 25/26-5A boys meet featured a pair of outstanding distance runners from Boerne Champion. Charlie Houck claimed the 1600m in 4:27.02 and the 3200m in 9:21.14 while Caleb Dehart won the 800m in 1:54.29 which was faster than what he ran in 2024 when he finished third in the Region. Max Bacon of Alamo Heights ran a career best to win the 300mh in 37.97 and also took home the 110mh (14.59) title. Tivy's Jackson Kerth continued his outstanding season by throwing 56-7.75 in the shot put and 163-0 in the discus. Wagner's 4x200m (1:26.05) and 4x400m (3:18.44) relay teams shined bright.
The girls meet featured another showdown between Smithson Valley's Mia Perez and Savanah Moya of New Braunfels. Perez won the 800m in 2:10.84 and was second in the 1600m (5:04.18) while Moya won the 1600m in 4:59.91 and was second in the 800m (2:11.85). SV's Lilly Koenig took third in the 800m in 2:12.36 after winning the 3200m in 11:08.48. Maycee Moody of Smithson Valley and Prisca Igbo of Boerne blazed to the top two spots in the 100mh in 14.75 and 14.82, respectively. Pieper's 4x200m relay ran a great time of 1:40.86 while Smithson Valley won the 4x400m in 3:52.27. Both are ranked first in the Region in their events.
The Area 27/28-5A meet was also hosted by Seguin High School. Their boys' team was dominant with Prince Medrano winning the 3200m (9:43.05) and 1600m (4:31.08) and Ocean Moreno took gold in the 100m (10.72) and 200m (22.33). McCollum's Jorge Vargas was also a double-winner taking the 400m (49.57) and 800m (1:57.62).
In the girls meet, four individuals shined brighter than the rest. Seguin's Leah Brown and Daisha Shular each won two events and were second in a third event. Brown won the high jump (5-4) and long jump (18-5) and was second in the triple jump (36-9.75) while Shular took gold in the 100m (11.51) and 200m (25.03) and was second in the long jump (17-1.25). Jay's Shyniece Davis won the 400m (59.15), was second in the 200m (26.09) and third long jump (17-0.25). Southside's Emarald Aguirre may have had the best meet since she won the 800m (2:22.68), 1600m (5:27.10) and 3200m (11.40.18).
The 27/28-6A meet was the final local meet conducted last Friday. Reagan's Gavin Chapa and Brennan's Zachary Miller squared off in the 1600m and 3200m with Chapa winning by less than a second in each race in 4:10.81 and 9:01.74, respectively. Taft's Ja'Dan Keiler and Jake Grullon of O'Connor faced off in the hurdles where Keiler won the 110mh in 14.04 and the 300mh in 37.35 while Grullon ran 14.14 and 38.36. Harlan's Tate Taylor appeared to be in fine form winning the 100m in 10.25 and the 200m in 21.27. Harlan and Brennan each ran exceptionally in the 4x100m with Harlan winning in 40.91. Johnson took the 4x400m title in 3:17.17 while Brennan was just a second behind.
Clark's Rachel Nwankwo took home three individual gold medals in the girls' portion of the meet. She won the 100m in 12.05, jumped 37-4.75 in the triple jump and 18-4.5 in the long jump. Caila Lyons, Daniela Shelfo of Taft and Jayla Flemons of Clark matched up in the 400m and 800m with Lyons winning both in 55.04 and 2:12.77, respectively while the other two were close on her heels. Madisyn Jackson (O'Connor), Mya Robinson (Taft) and Syenna Lara (Warren) all finished between 14.66 and 14.72 in the 100mh and Jackson and Lara nearly finished in a dead heat in the 300mh as well running 43.05 and 43.07, respectively. Jackson won both events. After getting injured last year, London Graham of Brandeis will make her first appearance at the Regional meet after winning the 200m in 24.22.
The 29/30-6A meet featured numerous top performances for the boys with a few that stood out. Steele's Maverick James and Israel Wray took the top two spots in the 400m with each breaking 48s. Their teammate, John Williams III, set a new city record en route to winning the triple jump with a leap of 49-11.75. Christian Dupree of Clemens cleared 6-9.25 in the high jump and then went one step further and cleared 6-10. Judson's Josiah Green had a huge throw in the discus with a mark of 167-4. Finally, Judson's 4x400m relay team won a tight race in 3:17.13.
The 29/30-6A girls meet was won by Judson who was led by Darinasia Taylor. She won the 100m in 11.85 and the 200m in 24.03. In addition, Jenesis Cordero took gold in the 400m (56.76) while Anastacia Garza was runner-up in the 800, (2:18.09) and 1600m (5:17.39). Steele's Kassia Kozarski kept up her winning ways in the 1600m (5:13.65) and 3200m (11:21.13). Nellie Mauritz-Barboza of San Marcos cleared 12-6 in the pole vault to win and was also second in the 400m (57.67). Kiyana Perez of Medina Valley qualified for Regionals in three individual events; high jump (5-4), 100mh (14.92) and 300mh (46.54).
San Antonio Christian hosted the TAPPS 5A District meet. The host Lions took the top three spots in all three boys distance races. Nathan Womack won the 1600m (4:31.13) and the 3200m (10:15.08). Josh Hoover of Saint Mary's Hall won the 100m, 200m and long jump and was also second in the high jump. Olivia Peak of San Antonio Christian won the 100m (13.01), 200m (26.48) and long jump (17-3.5). Laura Sierra of St. Anthony's was a double winner in the throws taking the discus with a mark of 116-0 and the shot put with a huge throw of 41-3.5. Saint Mary's Hall's Ellie Scott also won two events, the 400m (1:01.97) and 800m (2:23.24).
The Holy Cross boys had a strong performance at the TAPPS 4A District meet. Jackson Vann Morgan won gold in the 110mh (16.12) and the 300mh (41.14) while Josue Lerma won the discus (160-2) and shot put (42-9.75). Geneva's Brady Chandler cleared 14-6 to win the pole vault and also won the 100m and long jump. Savannah Parker of Castle Hills took the top spot in the 800m, 1600m and 3200m while Rylee Higginbotham of John Paul II won the 100m in 12.85 and the 200m in 26.17.
Utopia's Jace Bennett cleared 16-4 in the pole vault at the 31/32 1A meet this past week and he appears primed to defend his State title in the event.
Senior Signings
I would like to keep a running tally of all the track and field and cross country signings so please contact me if you notice someone is missing.
Taylor Nunez, Randolph, Texas A&M
Sophia Bendet, Randolph, Texas A&M
Zailey Zimmerman, Smithson Valley, Texas A&M-Kingsville
Mia Perez, Smithson Valley, Texas
Thomas Bucks, Johnson, Penn
Zac Miller, Brennan, Houston
Christopher Harris, Cornerstone, UIW
Alicia Galvez, Southwest Legacy, Houston
Gavin Chapa, Reagan, Texas A&M
Maddie Meinke, Boerne Champion, Western Colorado
Mia Stewart, Madison, Southeastern Oklahoma
Luis Tovar, Boerne Champion, UIW
Michael Repper-Molina, Johnson, Boston University
Jade Perez, Clark, Adams State
Caroline Peterson, Pieper, Texas
Aiden Martinez, Great Hearts Monte Vista, Yale
Aiden Reed, Poth, SFA
Caila Lyons, Brennan, Iowa
Taylor Fuentespina, Johnson, Army
Eli Bliss, Davenport, Trinity
Jorge Vargas, McCollum, Our Lady of the Lake
Crissangel Avitua, Southside, Our Lady of the Lake
Daisha Shular, Seguin, East Carolina
Kelsay Edwards, Taft, Trinity
Kinlee Lawlis, Bandera, Angelo State
Jake Grullon, O'Connor, UIW
Katie Burnett, Reagan, New Orleans
Clifton McBride, Brennan, Central Arkansas
What's Next
The Regional meets are Friday and Saturday with Heroes Stadium hosting the 5A and 6A meets. Texas A&M-Kingsville will serve as host for the 2A and 4A meets. Matadors Stadium in Seguin is the site of the 1A and 3A meets.
Photo of Alaina Fugate
The Area meet is always the week that coaches just want their athletes to get through to the Regional meet. The UIL track and field championship system is a grueling affair for the athletes with four rounds of competitions and the teams are now halfway through those meets with the two biggest ones still to come.
The Best Thing I Saw