Photo: Diego Reyna competes at the 2025 UIL 3A State Championships
It is time to preview the 3A schools in the San Antonio area, but I have to mention the era that just ended at Randolph. Their girls program won four consecutive State team titles behind two of the best to ever come through San Antonio, Taylor Nunez and Sophia Bendet. It will be different this year, but I expect the quality to keep coming from the area 3A schools.
Top Boys
Dean Carriger, Jr., Poth - He posted a personal best in the pole vault at the Region meet. In the past, he was strong in the 300mh as well, but did not run the race much in 2025.
Jacob Clark, Sr., Poth - Despite winning the District 26-3A title in the 110mh he did not compete after that meet. He only ran in two meets last year and a healthy season could lead to big things.
Brody Fizer, Jr., Marion - He is quickly becoming a top pole vaulter after qualifying for the State meet last year. He has an outdoor personal best of 14-0, but has cleared 14-7.25 during the indoor season already.
Sebastian Garcia, Jr., Lytle - Is he the next star from Lytle? He has already broke 2-minutes in the 800m in the indoor season. He is also one of the top quarter-milers in the area.
Kevin Harris, Sr., Randolph - He enters the season with the top 100m and long jump in the area. He took Area titles in both events and seems to be ready for more this year.
Andrew Jacobson, Sr., Great Hearts Northern Oaks - GHNO has had strong high jumpers in the past and Jacobson should challenge for a spot in the State meet this year.
Jayce Love, Jr., Marion - After including Love in the 6A preview for Clemens I was informed that he had moved to Marion. He immediately becomes one of the top 3A distance runners in the State after finishing 15th at the 6A Cross Country State meet. He could medal in both the 1600m and 3200m.
Diego Reyna, Sr., Lytle - He had a breakthrough season in 2025 on the track and continued his high level during the cross country season. A repeat trip to the State meet would not be a shock.
Brayden Rodriguez, Jr., Cotulla - An excellent sprinter who also adds the high jump. It will be interesting to see the progression in all three events this year.
Brayden Salzwedel, Sr., Great Hearts Northern Oaks - He remains one of the best distance runners in the area. He has been stuck in a loaded District so he has not advanced too far, but this could be the year.
Ryan Sanchez, Jr., Cotulla - One of only two returners from last year's 300mh Regional final. He has been solid in the 110mh, but will need to take the next step forward to advance.
Noah Smoot, Sr., Lytle - He should be one of the best discus throwers in the area regardless of classification. He threw 156-8 last year while making massive leaps and bounds throughout his first season throwing.
Nasir Tapia, Jr., Cole - He showed massive improvement in the 400m between his freshman and sophomore seasons. His fitness should not be a question after a solid cross country season in the Fall.
Cooper Warrick, Jr., Stockdale - He has had his most success in cross country with three top-20 finishes at the State meet. Is this the year it comes together on the track for him?
Top Girls
Brooklyn Albert, Sr., Poth - A highly decorated distance runner who runs everything from 800m through the 3200m. She is a two-time State medalist in the 3200m. Now that Sophia Bendet and Aubrey Milam have graduated she could potentially make the State meet in three events.
Juliet Alcott, So., Great Hearts Northern Oaks - She took the Region title in cross country and will be a threat to go to the State meet in both the 1600m and 3200m.
Tyla Blackstock, Jr., Great Hearts Northern Oaks - She enters the season as one of the top throwers in the area. She has had more success in the discus but flashed over the summer in the shot put.
Klarrisa Frain, Sr., Cole - A top hurdler and jumper who made the Regional meet in four individual events. Her best event is the 300mh in which she medaled at the State meet last year.
Ciara Hyde, Jr., Randolph - A quality sprinter and long jumper. I would not be surprised if she adds the 200m to her repertoire this year.
Peyton Keller, Jr., Stockdale - One of the best high jumpers in the State. She cleared 5-9 at her district meet and then rolled to the State meet where she medaled. It will be an amazing season if she consistently clears 5-8.
Adisen Magill, Sr., Poth - She is one of the most exciting athletes around and will be a star in college in the multi events. She was a State medalist in the triple jump and qualified for State in the 100mh. She could add the 300mh this year to her State performance.
Kaitlyn Rackley, Sr., Marion - She put it together for an entire season and finished as the State runner-up in the pole vault. She cleared at least 12-feet at four different meets.
Frances Scotello, Sr., Lytle - She has been consistently great in recent years in the distance races. She should compete with Albert for a spot at the State meet in the 1600m and 3200m.
Madison Teague, So., Great Hearts Northern Oaks - A unique athlete who excels in the 400m and 800m as well as the triple jump. She was a State qualifier in the 400m and is closing in on 36-feet in the triple jump.
Katherine Zinnante, So., Cole - Another strong distance runner from the area. She was a Regional finalist in both the 1600m and 3200m and followed that up with a 23rd place finish at the State cross country meet.
Top Boys Teams
Cotulla - They should be able to put together a strong team. They have solid individuals in many different events.
Lytle - My pick to win District 28-3A. They are loaded in the distance events and they have a pair of strong long jumpers and an outstanding thrower in Noah Smoot.
Poth - They are in District 26-3A, but I don't think they can beat Goliad this year. They have a few top talents and will put together solid relays.
Marion - I don't think they are ready to take down Randolph yet, but the addition of Jayce Love is massive to an already quality team.
Randolph - My pick to win District 27-3A. They have massive sprint and hurdle depth which should also translate well to their relay teams.
Top Girls Teams
Cole - A solid team that could make some noise this year. They have been improving in recent seasons.
Lytle - My pick to win District 28-3A. They have some high level distance runners and I think they have enough in the other events to take the title.
Poth - My pick to win District 26-3A. This team could be ready to take the mantle as the top team in the Region.
Randolph - My pick to win District 27-3A. Despite graduating some of the top track athletes in San Antonio history I think they still have enough to take the District title again.