Metsker-Galarza finds fast success in 800

In just her first year of running the 800-meter run, Madison Metsker-Galarza is heading to state.

And she got there by setting a personal record.

Her 2:18 at the regional meet earlier this month in San Antonio was good enough for a second-place finish and sent the Los Fresnos junior to the University Interscholastic League track & field state meet Saturday at Mike A. Myers Stadium at the University of Texas in Austin.

"It’s pretty exciting, it’s really exciting," Metsker-Galarza said. "It’s kind of a blessing."

It’s her second year as a track athlete. Last year, as a sophomore, she competed in the mile relay and the 400. This year, Metsker-Galarza added the 800 to the mix, which was something she suggested to her coaches after running with the cross country team.

"She was used to these long, intense workouts," Los Fresnos coach Deloris Olguin said. "We knew that she could be a good runner."

Metsker-Galarza showed that right off the bat, winning her first meet with a time in the 2:30’s earlier this season in San Benito.

"I’ve had to work extra hard for it," Metsker-Galarza said. "I just trained, that’s about it."

The work went in every day, and when the regional tournament hit, Metsker-Galarza didn’t figure she would be in the running for a spot at state.

When she hit her best time and it wound up being good enough to qualify, she was certainly surprised.

"I don’t know, I honestly wasn’t expecting to do that well," Metsker-Galarza said. "Ever since (winning in San Benito), I got my time down."

And that’s exactly what she wants to do in Austin — improve her time.

"I want to PR, I just want to enjoy it," Metsker-Galarza said. "I’m just going to go out there and enjoy it. Have fun."

But that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have a chance to make some noise.

"She looks to get into the front and lead," Olguin said. "If she runs a smart race and goes with the leaders a little bit … She’s capable of moving (up)." 

Todd Orodenker covers sports for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 982-6663 or via e-mail at torodenker@brownsvilleherald.com.