The Regional meet brings extra nerves to coaches and athletes alike which is why it makes it my favorite meet of each season. The athletes are performing at their highest levels which leads to many unforgettable performances. This year's teams also had to deal with difficult weather conditions on Friday which delayed the meets in Seguin and San Antonio. Regardless, the athletes performed well and persevered through the conditions.
The Best Thing I Saw
As the son of a track coach, I have always loved watching the 4x400m relay. The Johnson and Smithson Valley boys teams each set new Regional records en route to winning and qualifying for the State meet. The Jaguars quartet of Yashiyah Griffin, Abdou Ndiaye, Jayden Lea and Braelyn Allen clocked a time of 3:13.54 and secured the 6A Regional team title. The Rangers entered the final event trailing Liberty Hill by 16 points. Their team of Isaiah Regge, Gavin Williams, Andreas Miller and Noah Johnson set the 5A Region record with their time of 3:14.82. In addition, they made up the 16 points on Liberty Hill and ended up as co-meet champions.
Wildcard Performances
By my count there were eight local individuals who did not qualify for the State meet with an automatic selection by finishing first or second but instead qualified as the wild card addition by being the top third-place finisher among all four regions. Cole's Alexys Cheney was the 3A Region champ in the 800m and she also qualified in the 3200m when her time of 11:37.57 pushed her through. Peyton Keller (Stockdale) was the 3A bronze medalist in the high jump last year and fortunately will be back again this year to the State meet. She cleared 5-6 which tied for the top clearance but finished third due to misses. In the 3A boys, Sebastian Garcia of Lytle ran a great time of 1:55.48 in the 800m to take the wild card spot. In 4A, Floresville's Lucky Juarez cleared 14-9 in the pole vault to secure his spot. At the 5A level, Pieper's Logan Tennell cleared 15-3 in the pole vault to make his first appearance at the State meet. Lilly Koenig (Smithson Valley) was the Regional champion in both the 1600m and 3200m, but needed a little help to make it in the 800m after finishing third in 2:13.57. Last year, she finished fourth in the State in the 800m and second in the 3200m. The final two wild card winners came from the 6A girls. Sydney Primm (Brandeis) cleared a career high 5-7 in the high jump while Reagan's Shobhana Spielman matched her career best in the pole vault with a clearance of 12-0.
Highlights from 1A
There are only a few local teams that qualify as 1A schools but they are still sending athletes to the State meet. Jace Bennett (Utopia) will be the heavy favorite to win his third straight title in the pole vault after clearing 16-1 this weekend. Mason Cadenhead (Medina) is headed to Austin in the 400m and Elizabeth Duke (Utopia) will be pole vaulting.
Highlights from 2A
The Falls City girls finished as the Region runner-up with 86 points. Keandra Johnson won the 400m in 58.93, was second in the long jump (17-10) and finished fourth in the triple jump (35-10.75). Her teammates, Kenley Wiatrek (200m) and Haley Gordon (100mh), were each Region champions. The 4x200m team finished as runners-up in 1:43.32 and they won the 4x400m relay in 4:03.48. Braylon Johnson was the lone Falls City boy to advance to the State meet after winning the 100m (10.63).
Highlights from 3A
The Randolph girls ran wild en route to a Region title with 107 points while Stockdale scoring 62 points to finish in second place. The Ro-Hawks got individual wins from Imani Spencer in the 200m (24.23), Skye Thompson in the 400m (58.38) and Caroline Finley in the 1600m (5:17.83). They won both the 4x200m (1:41.89) and 4x400m (3:58.78) and added a third place finish in the 4x100m relay. Thompson also qualified in the triple jump after leaping 38-2.75. Poth's Brooklyn Albert (1600m and 3200m) and Tyla Blackstock (discus and shot put) of Great Hearts Northern Oaks each qualified individually in two events for the State meet. Stockdale's sister duo of Adisen Magill and Ayden Magill each qualified in separate events. Stockdale is also sending their 4x100m and 4x400m relay teams to State. Marion's Kaitlyn Rackley cleared 12-0 to win the pole vault and Klarrisa Frain of Cole took the 300mh title in 44.77.
The Randolph boys finished in second place with 72 points and Lytle finished fourth. Randolph's best result was their 4x100m team winning in 42.01. Kevin Harris (100m) and Zachary Hayden (300mh) were their only other qualifiers. Caden Kitson (Cole) qualified in both the 800m (1:54.68) and 1600m (4:24.60). Pablo Garcia (Cotulla) and Cooper Warrick (Stockdale) had a tight finish in the 3200m with Garcia winning in 9:46.29 and Warrick crossed the line in 9:46.54. Marion claimed a second pole vault title when Brody Fizer cleared 14-6 to win the boys title. Lytle had a pair of Regional champions with Jewell Hicks in the 400m (49.47) and Jacob Cantu in the 1600m (4:21.93). Comfort's Carter Pape competed in Region 1 and took home the long jump title with a mark of 23-8.
Highlights from 4A
The Wimberley girls took home the Region title with 70 points as they held off Canyon Lake who finished with 59 points. Wimberley got big performances from Corina Joyce who won the 1600m (5:06.78) and was second in the 3200m (11:02.75). Ellen Watson and Ella Patek each qualified in the jumping event and their 4x200m and 4x400m teams will also be going to the State meet. Aubrey Avey won the 300mh in 44.75 for Canyon Lake and their 4x200m team also claimed a title with a time of 1:41.46. The Hawks' 4x100m team will also be making the trip after a runner-up performance. Milesia Casas (Bandera) and Emersen Cochran (Navarro) will be two of the favorites in the 400m after running 56.15 and 56.35, respectively. Casas also won the 800m in 2:16.86. Cochran's teammate, Lilia Flo, took the 3200m title in 11:02.56 and was runner-up in the 1600m. Fredericksburg freshman Brady Stickler was nothing short of amazing in the throwing events posting huge personal records to win both events. She threw 137-7 in the discus and 38-10.5 in the shot put.
Four of the top six boys teams came from the area with Devine finishing second with 64 points and Floresville took fourth with 40 points to lead the way. Rowdy Esparza led Devine by winning the long jump (22-10.5), taking second in the 400m (49.22) and finishing third in the triple jump (45-4). Bo Wheeler (high jump) and Karter Brown (shot put) will join Esparza and their 4x400m team at the State meet. Floresville got individual titles from Kaden Cypert in the 1600m (4:15.88) and Mason Johns in the high jump (6-6). Cypert was also third in the 3200m. Fredericksburg swept the 110mh with Luke Fuchs (14.96) and John Moore (14.97). Cody Helmers also advanced for the Billies in the 800m. Davenport won the 4x400m relay in a time of 3:18.92 and Dane Mignerey (Wimberley) took the pole vault title with a clearance of 15-3.
Highlights from the TAPPS Regionals
New Braunfels Christian Academy won the TAPPS 4A South Region title. Their top performances were Leigh Ann Skelton's victory in the 400 (1:00.06), Marren Joseph's win the in 300mh (47.94) and the 4x100m relay team that won in 49.47. Rylee Higginbotham (John Paul II) and D'Vani Hernandez (San Antonio Christian) each won a pair of individual events. Higginbotham won the 100m (11.89) and 200m (24.55) while Hernandez won a pair of distance events in the 800m (2:18.17) and the 1600m (5:12.40). Chloe Nellis qualified for the State meet in the 100mh, 300mh, long jump and high jump for Incarnate Word and Kaliya Jones (Antonian) will be competing in the 100mh, 300mh and long jump. TMI's 4x100m (47.86) and 4x400m (3:55.76) relay teams ran the fastest times of any TAPPS team in any division. TMI also has three individuals who could grab individual State titles with Jayla Flemons, Kaidyn Holmes-Oliver and Daniela Shelfo.
The Holy Cross boys won the TAPPS 4A South Region title as well. Julian Salas led the way with a win the 200m (22.48) and State qualifying performances in the 400 (49.79) and pole vault (12-6). Jackson Vann-Morgan has a chance to win both the 110mh and 300mh titles. Their 4x100m (42.98) and 4x400m (3:23.85) relay teams were also Region champs. Antonian's John Boland qualified in the 800m (1:56.50), 1600m (4:19.02) and 3200m (9:43.35). TMI's Elliott Stead (800m), Wells Peterson (1600m, 3200m) and Ethan Garza (1600m) all qualified in the distance events. Saint Mary's Hall had the top two long jumpers in any division last week with Joshua Hoover jumping 22-2 and Osler White clearing 21-9. Rye Roberts (NBCA) bounded out to 44-11 in the triple jump and posted a mark of 20-9.75 in the long jump. Brady Chandler (Geneva) cleared 15-0 and Barrett Thornhill (NBCA) went over 14-0 and were the top two pole vaulters in any classification.
For more on the UIL Region IV-5A/6A meet please see tx.milesplit.com/articles/618901/wrapping-up-the-region-iv-5a6a-championship.
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).
Sydney Primm, Brandeis, High Jump, 5-7
Trinity Onugha, Steele, 100mh, 14.55
Keira Reyna, Steele, 300mh, 43.44
Quentin Jones, Brennan, Triple Jump, 47-6.5
Brennan Boys, 4x400m, 3:14.43 (Patrick Lofland, Wolfgang Thoener, Jaylin Kelly, Michael Davis)
Kailyn Brunson, Brennan, 1600m, 4:58.58
Davenport Boys, 4x400m, 3:18.92 (Terrence Coffman, Parker Clausen, Josh Johnson, Caden Scott)
Cash Lancaster, Pieper, 300mh, 38.65
Logan Tennell, Pieper, Pole Vault, 15-3
Michael Ajagbe, Pieper, Triple Jump, 49-10
Cyelan Whitley, Clemens, Discus, 174-2
Smithson Valley boys, 4x400m, 3:14.82 (Isaiah Regge, Gavin Williams, Andreas Miller, Noah Johnson)
Sean Gonzalez, Clemens, 800m, 1:53.51
Maverick James, Steele, 400m, 46.63
Joshua McNeil, Johnson, Shot Put, 59-6
Kaleb Ned, Stevens, Shot Put, 59-3.75
Jack Hollimon, Alamo Heights, 300mh, 37.34
Jack Hollimon, Alamo Heights, 110mh, 14.13
Hans Scheff, Smithson Valley, Shot Put, 57-5
Milesia Casas, Bandera, 400m, 56.15
Arrian Spratt, Marshall, Discus, 134-10
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.
Kendall Fallon, Davenport, Tulsa
Tate Taylor, Harlan, Texas Tech
Mia Villanueva, Canyon, Texas Lutheran
Lauren Pardo, Canyon, Henderson State
Sadie Larson, Pieper, Tarleton State
Frances Scotello, Lytle, UNLV
Lilly Koenig, Smithson Valley, Texas Tech
Jaelyn Moore, Cornerstone, Dallas Baptist
Juliet Osuna, Cornerstone, Carson-Newman
Elizabeth Leachman, Boerne Champion, Stanford
Maverick James, Steele, UIW
Aaron Garcia, Boerne, Lamar
Sadrac Castillo, Jefferson, Our Lady of the Lake
Klayre Cook, Lytle, Texas Lutheran
Anastacia Garza, Judson, UTSA
Ava Arellano, Wimberley, Texas Lutheran
Amariah Young, Medina Valley, Texas Lutheran
Payton DeFelippis, Medina Valley, Texas A&M-Texarkana
Theone Glosser, Reagan, Trinity
Nela Marcina, Pieper, Salisbury
Kahdyn Freeman, Pieper, Navy
Xylina Xac, Health Careers, Texas A&M-Kingsville
Tanner Davis, Devine, Texas A&M-Kingsville
Adisen Magill, Stockdale, Texas A&M-Kingsville
Keandra Johnson, Falls City, Texas A&M-Kingsville
Lilia Flo, Navarro, CSU-Pueblo
Leila Ramirez, Marshall, Texas Lutheran
Kira Albino, Johnson, UTSA
Keira Reyna, Steele, UIW
Alexis Torres, Judson, Ranger College
Jenesis Cordero, Judson, UIW
Karina Hernandez, John Paul II, UM-Farmington
Next Week
The TAPPS State meet is Friday and Saturday at the Midway ISD's Panther Stadium and at Robinson ISD's Rocket Stadium. The UIL State meet's will be May 14-16 at the University of Texas in Austin.The Regional meet brings extra nerves to coaches and athletes alike which is why it makes it my favorite meet of each season. The athletes are performing at their highest levels which leads to many unforgettable performances. This year's teams also had to deal with difficult weather conditions on Friday which delayed the meets in Seguin and San Antonio. Regardless, the athletes performed well and persevered through the conditions.
The Best Thing I Saw
As the son of a track coach, I have always loved watching the 4x400m relay. The Johnson and Smithson Valley boys teams each set new Regional records en route to winning and qualifying for the State meet. The Jaguars quartet of Yashiyah Griffin, Abdou Ndiaye, Jayden Lea and Braelyn Allen clocked a time of 3:13.54 and secured the 6A Regional team title. The Rangers entered the final event trailing Liberty Hill by 16 points. Their team of Isaiah Regge, Gavin Williams, Andreas Miller and Noah Johnson set the 5A Region record with their time of 3:14.82. In addition, they made up the 16 points on Liberty Hill and ended up as co-meet champions.