Track & Field Preview: Valenzuela set for final season

SAN BENITO — It doesn’t seem it was too long ago that Tina Valenzuela was the new girl.

As a freshman, talk quickly spread about Valenzuela and her potential to be one of the great hurdlers and jumpers in the Valley.

Some called her the next Kassy Larios, Harlingen South’s former multi-event star.

Three years later, the San Benito senior has established herself as the one and only Tina Valenzuela.

"It’s kinda sad," Valenzuela referred to her high school career coming to an end. "It’s been great. I wish it had gone by slower but I did everything I could. I have no regrets."

It’s not over yet.

The 2010 track & field season opens this weekend with the Rattler Relays in Rio Grande City and the Bobby Morrow Relays in San Benito.

And Valenzuela opens her final preps season in front of a home crowd at Bobby Morrow Stadium.

"I hope to do well at home," Valenzuela said. "I hope to keep getting better this season. I don’t want to flatline. I want to keep improving."

If the last three seasons are any indication, Valenzuela could go down as one of the best in Rio Grande Valley track & field history.

Since her freshman season, Valenzuela has excelled in the 100- and 300-meter hurdles. She’s also been one of the best in the long and triple jumps and helps out in any of the three relays as needed.

Last year at the District 32-5A meet at Sams Stadium in Brownsville, Valenzuela cleared 18 feet, 3 inches in the long jump on her last attempt after nearly ending up with a silver.

It was a new personal best.

Valenzuela is also good for 10 points in the triple and especially the 100 and 300 hurdles.

Valenzuela’s helped San Benito to the last three straight District 32-5A titles.

Valenzuela’s favorite event is the 100 hurdles, however, and she finished third last season at regionals with a time of 14.5.

Valenzuela is within striking distance of a couple of Valley records.

Brownsville Porter’s Anna Martinez holds the long jump mark with a jump of 19-0 3/4 in 1982. And Rio Grande City’s Sabrina Montalvo holds the record in the 100 hurdles with a 14.13 in 2002.

"She’s been the catalyst of this group," second year head coach Danny De La Rosa said. "She really gets after it and goes out and pushes the other girls too. She always does what needs to be done for the better of the team."

Reynoso, teammates work toward state goal

MISSION — Running the anchor leg of Mission High’s 1,600-meter relay, Mike Reynoso dashed through the finish line like he’d done many times before.

Only this time there were no medals.

The only thing waiting for him at the finish line at Mike Myers Stadium during last year’s UIL State Track & field Championships were his teammates.

Gilbert Gonzalez, Justin Garcia and J.P. Gonzalez greeted Reynoso at the end of the race with a group embrace.

And a vow to return in 2010. The Eagles’ mile relay is one of the top relays returning this season in the Valley.

MHS coach A.C. De Anda is a veteran of the Valley’s track & field scene.

He’s been at Mission for 41 years with the last 32 as the boys track head coach.

So De Anda knows something special when he sees it.

And he sees it in the Eagles mile relay.

"I’ve had them since the ninth grade," De Anda said of his super group. "And I’m going to miss them when they’re gone. They’re a hardworking group and they love to succeed.

"I don’t know if there’s a group anywhere in the Valley as dedicated as these guys. And I’ve had a lot of good groups here in Mission, too. These guys re definitely one of the best."

Reynoso also competed in the 300-meter hurdles at state last year and returns as one of the top hurdlers in the Valley this season.

Reynoso, Gilbert Gonzalez and Garcia also all played football for the District 32-4A champion Eagles last fall.

Garcia was a Class 4A all-state selection at defensive back last fall.

Garcia picked off seven passes in 10 games and returned four for touchdowns.

But his season was cut short in Week 10 with a broken leg.

De Anda said they expect him back by the RGVCA Meet of Champions on March 27.

Mattar looking for more than just her ’09 state title

BROWNSVILLE — Carys Mattar was about six or seven years old when she discovered her competitive spirit.

She competed in gymnastics under the eye of Giovanni Gallardo at Gionastics in Brownsville.

"I think that’s where I first learned to focus and be disciplined," Mattar said. "I learned to put your heart in what you do. That was taught to me there first. Then my coaches at St. Joe helped me continue that pattern."

And if it’s heart that it takes to be a champion, then Mattar’s got plenty.

As a junior, Mattar won the TAPPS 5A state championship in the pole vault with a height of 10 feet, 6 inches.

She’s cleared a personal best of 11-0.

Mattar returns for her senior year as one of the top pole vaulters in the Valley and south Texas.

"I just look to improve on last year," Mattar said. "I have my own personal goals but because of superstition, I’d rather not mention what they are. I just want to improve."

And while she wouldn’t go into detail about her goals, she did say the Valley record in the pole vault was on her short list of things to get done this season.

Harlingen High’s Kelsea David currently holds the record with a height of 12-3 that she cleared in 2005.

Mattar didn’t compete at state as a freshman and placed fifth as a sophomore.

"I’ve improved a foot each year," Mattar said. "I just need to stay disciplined. I love pole vaulting. It’s my passion."

Every year, St. Joseph Academy seems to boast a handful of great athletes on the girls’ track team.

A few years ago, the Lady Bloodhounds won the TAPPS 5A state team title when Mattar was a freshman.

Veteran coach Meme Garza said having someone like Mattar on the team is a positive for everyone involved.

"Anytime you have an athlete like Carys, they act as a role model for the entire program," Garza said. "This year it’s Carys. And I guarantee you, no matter if you’re a distance runner, a sprinter or a jumper, you’re going to look up to Carys. They’ll look at her and say, if she can do it, so can I."

Eladio Jaimez covers track & field for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 430-6285 or via e-mail at eladioj@valleystar.com.

TOP 10 RGV ATHLETES TO WATCH IN 2010

GIRLS

Samanta Fish, sr. distance, Los Fresnos

Jennifer Cecilio, sr. sprints, Harlingen

Kathy Trevino, sr. sprints, Rio Grande City

Deandra Barroso, sr. hurdles/jumps, Mercedes

Gabriela Salazar, sr. distance, PSJA Memorial

BOYS

Jake Garza, soph. hurdles/jumps, McAllen Memorial

A.J. White, sr. sprints, Harlingen

Mike Medrano, sr. distance, Sharyland

J.C. Guzman, sr. sprints, San Benito

Juan Garcia, sr. distance, Brownsville Rivera

SCHEDULE

The following is the schedule for the 2010 track and field season

Feb. 12

Rattler Relays at Joe Sanchez Stadium (RGC)

Bobby Morrow Relays at Bobby Morrow Stadium (San Benito)

Feb. 13

City of Palms at McAllen's Memorial Stadium (McAllen)

Bearkat Relays at Burnett Stadium (Raymondville)

Winter Relays at PSJA Stadium

Feb. 20

McHi Relays at McAllen's Memorial Stadium (McAllen High)

Yellowjacket Relays at Yellowjacket Stadium (Edcouch-Elsa)

Sams Relays at Sams Stadium (Brownsville)

Feb. 27

Bravette-Redskins Relays at Bennie LaPrade Stadium (Donna)

Cats Relays at Cats Stadium (Edinburg)

Knights of Columbus Relays at Mercedes HS (Mercedes)

Bulldogs Relays at Lyford Stadium (Lyford)

March 6

Warrior Relays at McAllen Memorial Stadium (McAllen Rowe)

La Joya ISD Invitational at La Joya ISD Stadium (La Joya Palmview)

Tigers Relays at Mercedes HS (Mercedes)

March 12

Rattler Relays at Rattler Stadium (Sharyland)

Patriot Relays at Mission Veterans Stadium (Mission)

March 13

Weslaco ISD Relays at Bobby Lackey Stadium (Weslaco)

Jim Hudson Relays at Lions Stadium (La Feria)

March 20

Meet of Legends at Sams Stadium (Brownsville)

March 27

RGVCA Meet of Champions at Bobby Lacket Stadium (Weslaco)

April 1

Eagles Quad Meet at Tom Landry Stadium (Mission)

April 10

Flying Ws Relays at PSJA Stadium (PSJA Memorial)

April 15-17

District 30-5A Meet at Memorial Stadium (McAllen)

District 31-5A Meet at PSJA Stadium (Pharr)

District 32-5A Meet at Bobby Morrow Stadium (San Benito)

District 32-4A Meet at Bobby Lackey Stadium (Weslaco)

District 32-3A Meet at tarpon Stadium (Port Isabel)

May 3-4

Regiona IV-5A, 4A track meet at Alamo Stadium (San Antonio)

May 14-15

UIL State Track and Field Championships at Mike Myers Stadium (Austin)