PSJA Memorial's Salazar making strides

PSJA Memorial's Gabriela Salazar is a two-time state qualifier, so when she does well, it's not exactly news. The Lady Wolverines junior did, however, produce an eye-opening result at the Edcouch-Elsa meet last week.

Salazar raced to the girls individual title in 11:25.89, over one minute faster than La Joya Juarez-Lincoln's Emily Perez (12:26.34). The startling part of Salazar's time was that it bested that of McAllen Memorial's Tricia Terry, who on the same day won the Edinburg High Invitational in 11:26 (hundredths of a second were not available from Edinburg).

While comparing the times may be an exercise in semantics, there is not denying the fact local runners are measured against Terry and she usually comes out on top. Although they weren't in the same race on the same course, Salazar solidified her place among the Rio Grande Valley's elite female runners and as a state medal contender with her performance.

"She has a lot of potential. When she's feeling real good she can perform wonderful," PSJA Memorial coach Linda Moncivais said. "She's a very good runner. I think it depends on how you concentrated the day of the race and your focus. That's what determines if you're going to have an awesome race. She ran awesome and she was very focused.

"She's performing a lot stronger this year than the last two years. We're really going to focus on district (Oct. 25) and regionals."

Mercedes results

And you thought high school football was the only sport Hurricane Ike impacted?

The Mercedes Invitational Cross Country Meet, which was originally scheduled for today, took place Thursday, just like most of the local high school football games. Terry and Salazar were in the field, and Terry left no doubt as she bolted to a first-place finish in 10:33.57. Mission High's Taylor De La Rosa finished second with an 11:03.83 clocking to lead the Lady Eagles to the team title, while Cinthia Adame of San Benito was third (11:09.15).

Salazar, meanwhile, finished fourth with a time of 11:12.89.

"(Salazar) was feeling kind of sick but she felt OK," Moncivais said. "We still have a few more weeks to go until district and regionals. That's our main focus."

Mercedes' Alex De La Garza won the boys race in 15:04.84, while Andres Delgado of Brownsville St. Joseph Academy finished second (15:59.09). Brownsville Hanna was the runaway winner of the team title with 74 points; Edcouch-Elsa finished a distant second with 139 points.

Top 10s

The Progreso boys team is ranked No. 7 in Class 3A in the Sept. 10 Cross Country Coaches Association of Texas rankings, while Zapata holds the ninth spot in the girls' state Class 3A poll.

While the Red Ants are No. 7 in Texas, they only rank eighth in the latest Rio Grande Valley Cross Coaches Association top 10. The following is the complete boys top 10: 1, PSJA North; 2, Brownsville Hanna; 3, Edinburg North; 4, Sharyland; 5, Edinburg High; 6, Donna; 7, San Benito; 8, Progreso; 9, Mission High; 10, Weslaco East.

And here is the new girls' top 10: 1, Edinburg High; 2, PSJA North; 3, San Benito; 4, La Feria; 5, McAllen Memorial; 6, Sharyland; 7, Edinburg North; 8, Mission High; 9, Rio Grande City; 10, McAllen Rowe.

Todd Mavreles is the West Valley Sports Editor for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 683-4451.